ESPN is closing in on keeping longtime NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo on a new contract, sources told Front Office Sports.
ESPN acquired NFL Network earlier this year in a deal that gave the league a 10% stake in ESPN. Garafolo’s new contract has not been finalized, one source said, and an ESPN spokesperson declined to comment.
Garafolo is both a league insider and a dynamic personality. He co-hosts The Insiders with Ian Rapoport—who also just signed a new multi-year deal to remain at ESPN and NFL Network—and Tom Pelissero, who is considered by many in the business to be at the top of the tier of NFL insiders after Rapoport and Adam Schefter, as well as fellow veteran reporter Judy Battista.
Garafolo has also been a frequent contributor on Good Morning Football, NFL Network’s flagship daily morning program. All three of The Insiders have the chops to be featured up and down ESPN’s studio lineup on shows like SportsCenter, Get Up, and NFL Live.
With the NFL Network integration, ESPN has assembled an armada of NFL reporters.
ESPN already had additional insiders in Jeremy Fowler, Field Yates, Dan Graziano, and Jeff Darlington (who is versatile and is also on the network’s coverage of the Masters and Wimbledon). Longtime NFL reporter Peter Schrager is expected to get his own show in the afternoon slate, according to The Athletic. There is also a cadre of other onsite and studio reporters like Kimberley Martin, Sal Paolantonio, Courtney Cronin, and all 32 “NFL Nation” team beat writers.
In addition to the aforementioned insiders, NFL Network’s talent roster gives ESPN added depth in the “field” with reporters like Sherree Burruss, Jane Slater, Cameron Wolfe, and Stacey Dales (Dales is a former WNBA player and could also give ESPN added versatility in women’s basketball).
While Front Office Sports previously reported that there are looming layoffs at ESPN, including some cost efficiencies to be realized after evaluating the NFL Network acquisition, the NFL reporter ranks will be legion at ESPN this upcoming season.
