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The Big Lead Has Ranked NFL Starting QB’s By Broadcast Potential

“Scrolling through the list, it becomes apparent how few big personalities serve as NFL quarterbacks.”

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When it comes to broadcasting roles, many networks look first two quarterbacks when trying to find their next superstar analysts. FOX turned Troy Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl champ, into the face of America’s Game of the Week. CBS found instant success with Tony Romo. So who is the most likely to follow in those footsteps?

The Big Lead ranked all 32 NFL starting QBs based on potential broadcasting success. Not surprisingly, Drew Brees tops the list. The New Orleans Saints signal caller already has a deal in place to join NBC when his playing days are over. Phillip Rivers, now of the Indianapolis Colts, sits at number 2, although he seems to prefer a future on the sidelines, having already inked a deal with St. Michael’s Catholic High School in Baldwin County, Alabama to become the Cardinals’ coach when his playing days are over.

The rest of the top five is rounded out by Ryan Fitzpatrick of the Dolphins, Gardner Minshew of the Jaguars, and Russell Wilson of the Seahawks. Minshew, and especially Wilson, would almost certainly be home run hires. Both are likely planning to have a lot of years left in the league before they have to make that decision though.

Scrolling through the list, it becomes apparent how few big personalities serve as NFL quarterbacks. Reigning Super Bowl champ Patrick Mahomes is at number 9. The Browns’ Baker Mayfield is at number 13. Reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson is at number 17. After that, I don’t know if I could tell you who on this list would be good and who wouldn’t.

One thing that really sticks out is that one of the biggest personalities to ever play in this league isn’t just no longer a starting QB. He is unemployed! It’s hard not to think Cam Newton lands in the top 5 if he were eligible.

We will learn sooner rather than later just how much networks value some of the names near the top of the list. Tom Brady (#6), Aaron Rodgers (#8), Matt Ryan (#12), Ben Roethlisberger (#14), and Matthew Stafford (#15) are all near the end of their respective playing careers and could soon be weighing their options for their next career.

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Final ‘Good Morning Football’ Episode from New York Studio Airs Before Hiatus, Move to LA

After today, ‘Good Morning Football’ will take a brief hiatus, then move to LA. But outside of host Jamie Erdahl, who else will join the show on the West Coast?

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Good Morning Football

Today marks the last Good Morning Football episode to air from its New York studios on NFL Network. After today, the show will take a brief hiatus, then move across the country to Los Angeles. But which of the shows beloved cast members will move along with it?

We already know host Jamie Erdahl will be there once she gives birth to her child. The newest GMFB show member gave an emotional send-off to the show’s New York studios before announcing she was headed for maternity leave and would see everyone in LA.

Host Kyle Brandt delivered this message late last night, saying that viewers should tune in to he and his colleagues and that “he has a lot to say.”

Earlier this week, however, host Peter Schrager delivered his own goodbye message — one that may sound like a man who’s not ready to move his family across the country at a moment’s notice:

However, no hosts outside of Erdahl have given confirmation that they’re either staying or going.

The NFL’s move to take the show from New York to Los Angeles has been widely criticized by fans and media members alike. Bill Simmons wondered if the move wouldn’t spell just the end of GMFB but the NFL Network as a whole. It has some wondering if this is the end of football’s best show.

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ESPN Coverage of Men’s NIT Tournament Quarterfinals Up 33% vs. 2023

Viewership of the Men’s NIT Quarterfinals on ESPN were up 33 percent compared to last year and featured two games that averaged over one million viewers.

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Even the NIT is riding the recent hot streak of live sports viewership numbers. According to data provided by ESPN, the 2024 NIT Quarterfinals are up 33 percent compared to last year’s tournament. Perhaps more surprisingly, two NIT quarterfinal games topped one million viewers.

The network’s Georgia/Ohio State matchup averaged 1.03 million viewers, while the Cincinnati/Indiana State contest averaged 1.02 million viewers. These two games were the most-watched NIT games since 2017 — including title games. Both Georgia and Ohio State have rabid fanbases, while many thought Indiana State was unjustly left out of the March Madness tournament, which could be a reason why viewers tuned in.

Much of the focus this season has been on the women’s game, thanks to Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks, led by Dawn Staley. ESPN just had its most-watched women’s college basketball season since 2008-09 because of the increased interest in the women’s game. The men’s game, however, hasn’t been heralded as much this season for whatever reason, mostly because numbers seem to be holding steady compared to previous years. However, if the NIT is posting viewership wins, that should bode well for the NCAA Tournament’s incoming viewership totals.

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Report: NFL to Put Christmas Day Doubleheader Up For Bids

Bidding is expected to start at $50 million among the current NFL media partners but some think the games could sell for $75 million to $100 million apiece.

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The NFL will reportedly put its Christmas Day games up for auction, allowing its current media partners to bid for the games. Now, it’s up to CBS, FOX, ESPN, NBC, and Prime Video to pay up for rights to one of these two marquee games.

According to Front Office Sports Michael McCarthy, preference will be given to linear networks, so Prime Video and Peacock may sit this one out. Bidding is expected to start at $50 million but McCarthy and his sources expect that number to rise. John Kosner, the former ESPN executive, thinks the new Christmas Day games could sell for $75 million to $100 million apiece.

The NFL announced a Wednesday Christmas Day doubleheader during its annual league meetings. The league originally said it wouldn’t force games on Christmas Day if the holiday fell on an odd day of the week, though as the NFL continues to put games on days outside of Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays, and sometimes Saturdays, we’re running out of days that don’t feature NFL football.

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