• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here
exclusive
Media

Scott Hanson Signing New Deal With NFL Media Amid Cutbacks

  • Popular anchor has hosted every NFL RedZone episode for 12 years.
  • League seeking outside investors for NFL Media arm.
hanson_smiling
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

NFL RedZone fans can look forward to host Scott Hanson hailing the “Witching Hour” for years to come.  

The popular anchor has signed a multi-year contract extension to continue hosting NFL Network’s live whiparound channel, sources tell Front Office Sports.

He’ll also continue to play a major role in coverage of tentpole NFL events, such as the Super Bowl, NFL Draft, and NFL Scouting Combine.

If there was an Iron Man Award for TV personalities, the 50-year old Hanson would certainly be worthy of one as he’s hosted every single episode of NFL RedZone since its debut on Sept. 13, 2009. That’s more than 200 episodes — and counting.

The league’s RedZone channel offers viewers seven hours of live football on Sundays, inviting viewers to watch every touchdown from every game. There’s even an “Octobox,” allowing fantasy players and sports bettors to watch eight games at the same time.

Viewers look forward to Hanson proclaiming the “Witching Hour” — or the fourth quarter of NFL Sundays when the fortunes of millions of fantasy football players are made or lost. Hanson plays a starring role in a new promotional video hyping the upcoming 2021 season.

NFL Network spokesman Andrew Howard would not confirm or deny Hanson’s new deal: “We are still formulating all of our plans for on-air talent and will communicate those at the appropriate time.”

Hanson could not be reached for comment.

Everybody from Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady to ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser and Bob Ley have praised NFL RedZone’s impact on sports. 

During an interview with FOS in December, Hanson talked about how the NFL RedZone has revolutionized pro football viewing.

“People have told me they could go without sex on Sunday — but they couldn’t go without NFL RedZone,” said Hanson who joined NFL Network in 2006. “People have tweeted me different iterations of, ‘Sex is great. But have you ever tried NFL RedZone?’ … Fans have told me if their TV only had one channel, they’d be happy if it was just NFL RedZone.” 

hanson_holding_microphone

Scott Hanson on How NFL RedZone Changed Watching Football

“Someone once said, NFL RedZone is like watching football when God is…
December 20, 2020

The multi-year contract indicates a strong vote of confidence in Hanson. The former Syracuse Orange football player previously worked off a one-year deal precipitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Hanson’s new contract comes amid a cost-cutting phase as NFL Media Group (which includes NFL Network, RedZone and NFL.com), slims down financially to make itself attractive to potential investors.

Veteran journalists Michael Silver and Mark Kriegel are no longer with NFL Media after their contracts lapsed in recent weeks, sources with knowledge of the situation told FOS. 

John Marvel, the managing editor of news and features at NFL Media Group, has also left the company.

hanson_smiling

Scott Hanson of NFL RedZone Could Become TV Free Agent

Scott Hanson, popular host of NFL Network’s NFL RedZone channel, could become…
December 9, 2020

As with other sports media outlets such as ESPN and Fox Sports, many NFL Media employees are struggling with pay cuts in the post-pandemic media environment.

The downsizing at NFL Media — one source put it around 10% of total employees, most based in Southern California — was attributed to the normal offseason churn, according to another person with knowledge of the moves.

The changes at NFL Media come as Goldman Sachs was tapped by the league in June to explore the possibility of selling a minority stake in the business. Several venture capital and private equity firms have already inquired, according to sources.

The NFL Network also declined to comment on talent departures.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

SEC-Led College Football TV Ratings Are Still Up 4% Through Week 9

The average game audience this season is 1.95 million viewers.

ESPN Says No Issues With Its Handling of NBA Gambling Scandal

Viewership for every ESPN studio show was “up significantly.”

NBA Season Opens With Best Ratings in 8 Years Despite Off-Court Scandals

It’s the first year of the NBA’s 11-year, $77 billion media deal.
John Madden

How John Madden Became ‘America’s Nutty Football Professor’

“Once paired with Summerall, Madden found his true path.”

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
YouTube/ Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

YouTube in Another Carriage Dispute, This Time With Disney

ESPN and ABC could be dropped from the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
May 17, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) shakes hands with New York Mets right fielder Juan Soto (22) after the top of the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium.
October 23, 2025

Mets, Yankees, and the Nielsen Debate That Won’t Go Away

Weeks after the end of the MLB regular season, viewership issues remain.
Oct 21, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) keeps the ball away from Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) during the second half at Paycom Center
October 23, 2025

NBA’s NBC Return Draws 5.9M Viewers, Best Opener Since 2010

Thunder vs. Rockets peaked at 7.1 million viewers.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
Brian Windhorst
October 23, 2025

Brian Windhorst Details Emergency Landing on Omaha–L.A. Flight

The pilots and flight attendants had a communication issue.
October 22, 2025

YouTube Stars Help Bring Back Golf Channel’s ‘Big Break’

The show will return in 2026 after an 11-year hiatus.
Candace Parker
October 22, 2025

Candace Parker Wants NFL-Style Coverage From NBA Media

Amazon will stream its first NBA doubleheader Friday.
Netflix
October 21, 2025

Netflix Staying on the Sidelines As TNT Sports Parent Seeks Buyer

The streaming giant shows little interest in acquisition possibilities.