• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 10, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

Scott Hanson of NFL RedZone Could Become TV Free Agent

  • The host’s contract expires this summer.
  • He could join a free-agent class that includes Mike Golic Sr. and Trey Wingo.
hanson_smiling
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Scott Hanson, the popular host of the NFL’s RedZone channel, could become a free agent as his current one-year contract with the NFL Network expires this summer.

That potentially positions Hanson as one of the most sought-after sports media free agents in a crowded market that includes the likes of ESPN’s Dan Le Batard, Mike Golic Sr., and Trey Wingo.

The 49-year-old Hanson has hosted all 200 episodes of NFL RedZone, a TV Ironman streak that dates back to Sep. 13, 2009. The show already has more editions than “Seinfeld’s” 180 episodes, he jokes. He’s looking forward to 200 more.

“I love the NFL. The NFL has been very good to me. And I hope I have been very good for the NFL. My hope would be to continue,” Hanson told Front Office Sports in an interview. 

NFL Network said it doesn’t comment on contract negotiations.

By all accounts, the all-in-one NFL RedZone channel has helped revolutionized football viewing. 

The channel has simply become a must-watch for fantasy football players, sports bettors and hard-core football fans.

During the live, seven-hour TV sprint each Sunday, Hanson whips viewers around to every NFL touchdown and big play by simulcasting game coverage from CBS Sports and Fox Sports.. 

Viewers can watch up to eight games at a time using RedZone’s “Octobox.” 

During the telecast, Hanson doesn’t eat lest he gets caught with a sandwich in his mouth on-air. He doesn’t drink coffee. He deliberately dehydrates himself before going on-air. He’s taken one bathroom break in the last decade.

“I am convinced that if I leave I will hear, ‘Lamar Jackson with the most dynamic 99-yard touchdown in NFL history.’ And I’m not going to miss it,” he said. “I will not expose myself to missing the great play that day, that week, that month, that season or historically. I do not want to miss a play. The only thing that could cause me to miss one is a bathroom break. So I don’t take them.”

Every week, Hanson’s loyal viewers look forward to him declaring the “Witching Hour,” when the fortunes of millions of fantasy football players are won and lost.  

RedZone viewers are fanatical. Some have told Hanson they’d give up sex on Sundays before they’d give up NFL RedZone. Others tell him they’d pick RedZone if they had only one channel on their TV set.

One fan tweeted him to say RedZone helps keep her clean and sober since she doesn’t have to go out to bars to watch games.

Hanson said fans still watch every snap of game broadcasts showing their favorite team. Otherwise, a growing number are watching via the live prism of NFL RedZone.

Q&A: James Crittenden, Jonathan X Talk Career Paths, D&I and Red Zone

The pair first partnered on DirecTV’s Red Zone channel, but have since…
November 17, 2020

“Someone once said NFL RedZone is like watching football when God is holding the remote control,” Hanson said. 

There are two RedZones channels. DirectTV’s Red Zone channel launched first in 2005 via the Sunday Ticket package of out-of-market games. The NFL Network’s RedZone launched four seasons later.

Besides the slightly different spellings, both take the same approach: live, whip-around coverage of “early” and “late” Sunday games from 1 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET.

From a strategic standpoint, the introduction of NFL RedZone was a key factor in helping then six-year-old NFL Network gain distribution with wary cable operators. 

Tom Brady told Hanson before Super Bowl LI he watches NFL RedZone on his bye weeks or if he’s playing a “Monday Night Football” game.

Bob Ley of ESPN called RedZone “an innovation that’s a close second to oxygen.” ESPN colleague Tony Kornheiser dubbed it a “life-changing” channel that’s “absolutely fabulous.”

NFL Network doesn’t release viewership numbers or other metrics for RedZone. 

But Richard Deitsch of The Athletic estimates 1 million to 1.5 million viewers tune in every Sunday. As more states legalize betting, viewership will likely increase for NFL Network and DirecTV’s separate Red Zone channel hosted by Andrew Siciliano.

During Hanson’s first-ever NFL RedZone telecast in 2009, when Brett Favre and Peyton Manning were still active players, he told viewers he hoped the channel would “change the way you watch football forever.”

Despite a relatively small team of only 30 or so staffers, Hanson thinks it’s fair to say: Mission accomplished.

“Our NFL RedZone staff is the best staff in sports TV for my money,”  said Hanson, who also hosts NFL Network’s on-location coverage of the Super Bowl, NFL draft, and scouting combine.

“We are part NASCAR pit crew with the speed with which we have to perform. We’re part emergency room OR, with the precision with which we have to perform. And we’re part air traffic control at LAX on Thanksgiving weekend.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Spectrum

ESPN Streaming Service at Core of New Spectrum Plan

The No. 1 U.S. distributor further blends linear and streaming TV.
exclusive

Alyssa Lang Joins ESPN NBA Sideline Reporter Ranks

Lang has been a host and reporter for ESPN and SEC Network since 2018.
Netflix

Netflix Claims Bigger NFL Package ‘Doesn’t Really Fit’ Sports Strategy

Roger Goodell has signaled media-rights conversations could restart next year.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Oregon Ducks inside linebacker Will Straton celebrates a stop as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.

CBS Eyes Breakthrough As Big Ten Ratings Still Lag Behind SEC

The network will air No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon on Saturday.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.
October 7, 2025

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.
Dana Evans
October 8, 2025

WNBA Starts Finals With Best Viewership Since Inaugural Season

Game 1 averaged 1.9 million viewers on ESPN.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez Charged With New Felony in Indianapolis Case

The broadcaster and ex-NFL quarterback faces up to six years in prison.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive
October 2, 2025

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.