• Loading stock data...
Sunday, April 20, 2025
exclusive
Media

NFL Analyst Rob Ninkovich Out At ESPN

  • The former Patriots star’s contract will not be renewed.
  • Neil Everett and Chris Chelios previously dropped by cost-cutting ESPN.
Rob Ninkovich
ESPN Images

Rob Ninkovich is leaving ESPN, sources tell Front Office Sports.

The NFL analyst’s contract won’t be renewed after it expires this summer, said sources. ESPN declined to comment.

The two-time Super Bowl winner with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots joined ESPN in 2019. Since then, the 11-year NFL veteran and former Pats co-captain has been featured on studio shows such as “NFL Live,” “Get Up” and “SportsCenter.”

The 39-year-old Ninkovich is the latest big talent name to part ways with ESPN as the Worldwide Leader in Sports slashes talent payrolls.

Front Office Sports broke the news that popular “SportsCenter” anchor Neil Everett’s contract wasn’t renewed after 23 years. NHL analyst Chris Chelios met the same fate.

Neil Everett
exclusive

‘SportsCenter’ Anchor Neil Everett Leaving ESPN After 23 Years

‘SportsCenter’ anchor Neil Everett confirmed to Front Office Sports he’s leaving ESPN…
June 8, 2023

Previously, ESPN completed its fifth wave of layoffs in the past decade, losing off-camera executives such as beloved 43-year communications guru Mike Soltys, ESPN+ boss Russell Wolff, and John Dahl, an Emmy Award-winning producer on the Michael Jordan documentary, “The Last Dance.”

With Pat McAfee shifting his eponymous YouTube show to ESPN this fall, Max Kellerman’s weekday afternoon show “This Just In” is likely to get the axe.

Under this new weekday TV lineup, “Get Up” would continue to air between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. ET, Stephen A. Smith’s “First Take” would follow from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and McAfee’s show would start at 12 p.m. ET.

As ESPN completes its cost-cutting “talent exercise,” the network is taking dual approaches. Some contracts for on-air TV/radio talents like Ninkovich, the former Pats linebacker, simply won’t be renewed. Others will have their guaranteed contracts bought out. They will still be paid in full — but ESPN will be able to write their salaries off the books.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 13, 2020; Augusta, GA, USA; The front entrance at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., Friday morning. The Masters Tournament has been postponed due to coronavirus concerns.
opinion

What’s It Like to Play Augusta? A Day on the World’s Most..

Inside a round at the most exclusive club in the world.
Dec 9, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) watches as center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates after making a three point basket to clinch a win against the Toronto Raptors near the end of the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena

Same Owner, New Knicks: New York’s Remarkable Rebound

The franchise’s renaissance didn’t happen overnight.
exclusive

Shannon Sharpe Eyes $100M+ Podcast Deal As Volume Contract Expires

Sharpe’s podcasts have exploded in popularity over the last several years.
Masters

Why The Masters Quietly Cracked Down on Ticket Resellers

Insiders expect big changes are coming to ticketing at Augusta National.

Featured Today

exclusive

Inside Nico Iamaleava’s Ugly Breakup With Tennessee

Iamaleava’s representatives claim to FOS he didn’t push for more NIL money.
Jul 29, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; France center Dominique Malonga (14) and guard Marine Johannes (23) celebrate after defeating Canada during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy
April 13, 2025

‘Has to Change’: The WNBA’s International Player Problem

As more global stars arrive, the “prioritization” rule is causing tension.
Yamine Lamal Barcelona
April 12, 2025

Lamine Yamal: The Pressure and Price of Barcelona’s Young Prodigy

Lamine Yamal is a teenage superstar. Can Barcelona afford him?
The pin flag on the second green flaps in the wind during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club.
April 7, 2025

Inside The Masters: Traditions, Restrictions, and Gnomes

How the most exclusive major employs its own strict rules and operations.
Netflix

Netflix Rises While Markets Slide—Thanks in Part to Live Sports

The streaming giant beats financial expectations as its sports presence grows.
April 15, 2025

WNBA Draft Draws 1.25M Viewers, Second-Best Behind 2.45M Last Year

Paige Bueckers was the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.
Lee Corso
April 17, 2025

Lee Corso Will Retire From ESPN at 90

The broadcaster is hanging up his headgear in August.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
April 15, 2025

NBA Regular-Season Ratings Dip 2%, In Line With the NFL

The NFL also saw a 2% viewership decline last season.
April 14, 2025

Masters Final Round Draws 12.7M Viewers, Golf’s Best Since 2018

The final round was the most-watched golf event in seven years.
April 14, 2025

NBA Play-In Tourney Gets Warriors Boost Before Move to Streaming

The Play-In Tournament will stream on Amazon Prime Video starting next season.
April 14, 2025

NHL Playoffs Face Ratings Risks With Canadian Focus, Original Six Absence

The field includes no U.S. Original Six teams and a heavy Canadian presence.