ESPN and Disney’s merger with NFL Network has the Worldwide Leader shuffling its on-air talent.
ESPN is expected to bring in a new booth for its No. 2 NFL broadcast team, which currently includes Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick Jr., The Athletic reported on Thursday.
As part of the merger, ESPN will no longer have “Monday Night Football” doubleheaders since the NFL retained the rights to seven extra games, separate from the 17-game schedule, that may be international — which could impact the availability of Fowler, Orlovsky and Riddick due to their college football work.
Fowler is ESPN’s No. 1 college play-by-play announcer, while Orlovsky and Riddick call college football games and appear in-studio.
Jason Kelce, who signed a multi-year broadcast deal with ESPN in May 2024, is said to be a “dark horse candidate on the analyst side.”
The retired Eagles center is a studio analyst on ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” and appears across other shows and events.
NFL Network’s Kurt Warner is also a candidate for the potential new No. 2 booth.
ESPN’s Dave Pasch and Mike Monaco are in the mix as play-by-play announcers, while Bob Wischusen was also mentioned as a possible emerging candidate.
ESPN declined to comment to The Athletic.
ESPN’s No. 1 NFL broadcasting team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are entering the final seasons of their five-year deals for a total combined value of $165 million.
The pair will call ESPN’s first Super Bowl in February 2027.
The Athletic also reported that ESPN is interested in retaining NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, whose contract is up at the end of the month.
Additionally, Rich Eisen will remain the host of the NFL Network’s Draft presentation in April.
ESPN/Disney absorbed the contracts of NFL Network talent in a merger that began on Wednesday.
ESPN’s $3 billion purchase of NFL Network — and other assets including the RedZone channel and NFL Fantasy Football — was finalized as of Jan. 2026.
The NFL received a 10 percent equity stake in ESPN as part of the deal.
