Saturday, June 27, 2026

Michael Irvin Resumes NFL Network Duties After Lengthy Suspension

  • NFL Network suspended Irvin after a hotel employee alleged misconduct against the Hall of Famer.
  • Irvin was back on the NFL Network set ahead of the opening Sunday of the season.
Michael Irvin
Bob Donnan/USA TODAY Sports

Michael Irvin returned to the NFL Network set on Sunday as his indefinite suspension that began days before February’s Super Bowl was lifted. 

“Good to be back,” Irvin said on NFL Gameday Morning. 

Irvin suspended the NFL-owned outlet after a Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel employee accused the Hall of Fame receiver of harassment. Irvin settled the lawsuit he filed against Marriott, the Dallas Morning News reported on Sunday. 

Irvin denied the claims and sued the hotel chain for defamation of tortious interference. A judge ordered footage of the incident to be released to Irvin’s legal team. 

“This sickens me,” Irvin said at a news conference earlier this year. “This takes me back to a time where a white woman would accuse a Black man of something, and they’d drag him through the mud and hang him by a tree. … It just blows my mind that in 2023 we are still dragging and hanging brothers.”

As his status at NFL Network remained uncertain, Irvin was hired as a contributor on FS1’s “Undisputed,” and debuted earlier this month. 

Irvin’s lawyers made the footage of the Feb. 5 encounter in March, but the video lacked audio and didn’t exonerate Irvin. 

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Katherine Cooper mandated both sides participate in mediation last month. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL International Slate Gives Legacy Networks Bigger Stage

Legacy broadcast networks are core to this part of the schedule.
Mar 4, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; The NFL Network logo on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

NFL Network Dark on Comcast in First Carriage Dispute Under ESPN

The dispute does not involve Disney or ESPN’s other channels.

NFL Draft Viewership Falls 12%, Averages 6.6M Over Three Days

Coverage across all networks averaged 6.6 million viewers.
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Ian Rapoport on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Ian Rapoport, ESPN Finalizing Multiyear Deal

The NFL insider’s contract was set to expire in May.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Tracy McGrady on Buying ABCD Camp, Investing in the Bills & More.

0:00

Featured Today

June 26, 2026

In an Era of $1,000 Tickets, $10 Watch Parties Bring Fans Together

Stadium watch parties now rival home-game experiences.
June 25, 2026

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The ESPN logo at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Ex-SportsCenter Anchor Max McGee Breaks Silence on ESPN Firing

McGee said he was fired following an HR investigation.
June 26, 2026

Amazon’s NASCAR Viewership Sees Slight Uptick in Second Season

Races on Prime Video averaged 2.29 million viewers this year.
Jun 25, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie (8) in the first half against Turkey during a Group D match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Los Angeles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
June 26, 2026

Fox Predicts a USMNT World Cup Final Would Rival NFL Ratings

Fox’s Mike Mulvihill predicted a potential audience of 50 million.
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
June 25, 2026

NBC’s John Fanta: College Hoops ‘Has Never Been Stronger’

The NBC broadcaster said the college basketball product has never been better.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
June 25, 2026

NYT Russini Story Only Raises More Questions

Is The Athletic’s investigation into Russini’s work nearing its end?
June 25, 2026

U.S. Open Draws 5.5M Viewers, Still Trails PGA Championship

Sunday’s audience peaked at 9.3 million viewers.
Jay Williams ESPN NBA Draft
Exclusive
June 24, 2026

Jay Williams: Viral Draft Moment Was ‘Extremely Uncomfortable’

Williams’s draft co-hosts joked about his career-ending injury.