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Recapping the latest NFL media changes, primarily involving at the expense of ESPN

By Chris Pokorny
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Over the past several weeks, there have been quite a few changes in the landscape of NFL media. Let's touch on each of them briefly:

  • Mike Tirico Moving to NBC: Say goodbye to the Monday Night Football (MNF) team of Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico. Tirico had been with ESPN for 25 years and was the voice of MNF since 2006. He will work in a variety of roles at NBC, including their football package, but it's unclear if he will join the Sunday Night Football booth (Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth) or if he'll be a studio host. Awful Announcing suggests that if Michaels retires in the next couple of years, Tirico will then slide in to his role.

    NBC acquired the rights to do five Thursday Night Football games this year, and Sports Illustrated reports that Tirico and Collinsworth will call those games.

  • Sean McDonough Paired With Gruden: With Tirico exiting MNF, McDonough has been tapped to replace him and team up with Gruden to call games. I have never heard of McDonough, so it'll be interesting to see how he does.

  • Brad Nessler Heading to CBS? Although not confirmed by any press releases, one report has said that Nessler will be heading to CBS, presumably to call NFL games, and departing from ESPN:
  • Changes to First Take: Most of the changes are at the expense of ESPN, as you can see. A couple weeks ago, the news came down that Skip Bayless is leaving First Take to join FOX Sports and host his own show for more money. Stephen A. Smith will reportedly have the final say in who replaces Bayless.

  • Tuning Out Ray Lewis: Although not confirmed, reports say that Ray Lewis and Cris Carter will be exiting ESPN, with Randy Moss leaving FOX Sports to join ESPN.

What do you think of the forthcoming changes, Browns fans?

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