• Loading stock data...
Friday, April 25, 2025
exclusive
Media

Amazon Wants Taylor Rooks For ‘Thursday Night Football’

  • Rooks has focused primarily on NBA at Bleacher Report.
  • But she wants to do more NFL coverage.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rising star Taylor Rooks could be adding prime-time NFL football coverage to her resume.

Amazon Prime Video is interested in adding the Bleacher Report reporter, host, and anchor to its “Thursday Night Football” coverage, sources tell Front Office Sports. 

Rooks focuses primarily on the NBA for B/R and Turner Sports, recently interviewing the likes of Shaquille O’Neal and Candace Parker. 

But she could contribute feature stories to Amazon, said sources. The tech giant’s exclusive streaming coverage of TNF kicks off Sep. 15, with the Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs. 

The Georgia native could work for both Amazon and B/R — a non-exclusive relationship that’s becoming more common as sports media companies seek to defray costs.  

Amazon game analyst Kirk Herbstreit, for example, will continue to call Saturday night college football games for ESPN’s sister Walt Disney Co. network ABC. 

Herbstreit will team with the legendary Al Michaels at Amazon, which is paying $1 billion a year for exclusive TNF streaming rights through 2033.

During an interview with Barrett Sports Media last year, Rooks stated she wanted to do more NFL coverage.

“Just being from Georgia, in the South, I grew up loving football. My dad played football. It was a football house. I love basketball — I love them both, but I just love football a little bit more,” she said. 

“I’ve gotten kind of sucked into doing mainly NBA, which is great and has led to so many amazing experiences, but I just wish I had more of a hand in football. I would love to be able to do more of that.”

Rooks’ emergence comes with Charissa Thompson now the favorite to land the on-site anchor job for Amazon’s pre, post and halftime shows, said sources. 

The host of the “Fox NFL Kickoff” pregame show is competing against Colleen Wolfe and Kay Adams of NFL Network for the “Thursday Night Football” studio gig. 

Adams, the long-time host of “Good Morning Football, was the previous favorite, but she hasn’t come to terms with Amazon on salary, said sources. However, she’s still a candidate for the job.

Meanwhile, Kaylee Hartung is the lead candidate to serve as sideline reporter for TNF.

Studio analysts could include Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, Sean Payton, Richard Sherman, and retiring NFL QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. 

Amazon also wants Pat McAfee for an alternative telecast similar to Peyton and Eli Manning’s “ManningCast” for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” 

There could be as many as three alternative presentations backing up the main telecast by Herbstreit and Michaels.

Amazon, B/R and Turner all declined comment on Rooks.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Apr 4, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) runs drills at the University of Colorado NFL Showcase at the CU Indoor Practice Facility.

Shedeur Sanders Not Selected in First Round of NFL Draft

There were questions around his attitude and skill set going into the draft.

Raiders Make Ashton Jeanty Highest-Drafted RB Since Saquon Barkley

Jeanty led Boise State to the College Football Playoff this past season.
NFL draft prospect, Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Travis Hunter, arrives during the NFL Draft Red Carpet event at Lambeau Field in Green Bay on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Jags’ Trade Up for Travis Hunter Highlights His Immense Value

The Heisman Trophy winner was drafted No. 2 overall after Jacksonville made a big move up.

No. 1 Pick Cam Ward Is the Face of Football’s Transfer Portal..

Ward played for three teams in his college career, which started in 2020.

Featured Today

Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
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
April 20, 2025

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.

Comcast Leans On Sports As Revenue Slides and Cord-Cutting Grows

NBC Sports’ rights portfolio remains a company bedrock.
Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.
April 23, 2025

Roku’s New Plan to Relieve Streaming Headaches

The streaming company introduces new tools to direct fans to games.
FuboTV signage
April 23, 2025

Disney’s Fubo Takeover Now Faces DOJ Antitrust Review

The deal struck by the ESPN parent company could be in jeopardy.
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.
Apr 20, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the first half against the Orlando Magic at TD Garden.
April 22, 2025

NBA Playoffs Deliver Most-Watched Opening Weekend in 25 Years

It was the most-watched opening weekend on ESPN platforms.
Shannon Sharpe
April 21, 2025

Shannon Sharpe Accused of Rape in Civil Lawsuit

The case was filed by an anonymous woman in Nevada.
Netflix
April 17, 2025

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

The streaming giant beats financial expectations as its sports presence grows.
Lee Corso
April 17, 2025

Lee Corso Will Retire From ESPN at 90

The broadcaster is hanging up his headgear in August.