Cowherd follows Bill Simmons and Keith Olbermann out the door.
Colin Cowherd is the next high-profile sports personality to leave ESPN. The host of the popular ESPN Radio program The Herd With Colin Cowherd will exit before the conclusion of his contract for a job at Fox Sports. ESPN made an aggressive bid to keep Cowherd, sources say. But ultimately lost out to Fox Sports, which has been on a spending spree since the launch of its cable networks two years ago. The deal with Fox Sports has not been finalized, but sources say Cowherd is likely to have a daily TV show and also appear on Fox Sports’ Sunday NFL program.
“We’ve enjoyed a mutually beneficial run with Colin for over a decade. He came to national prominence on ESPN with his unique perspective on sports and society. Endings also bring new beginnings, for ESPN and Colin, and we thank him and wish him the best,” ESPN president John Skipper said in a statement.
Cowherd has been at ESPN Radio since 2003, when he was tapped to replace Tony Kornheiser in the prime morning slot. His show also is simulcast on ESPNU. A former host of ESPN’sSportsNation, Cowherd, 51, is another among ESPN’s outspoken personalities — he recently picked a fight with former ESPN personality Dan Patrick — and a frequent target of Deadspin.
Cowherd follows Bill Simmons and Keith Olbermann out the door at ESPN. On his radio program, Cowherd lamented the loss of Simmons. “I will miss him professionally, but envy him to some degree as well,” said Cowherd, explaining that Simmons is likely to find more “creative freedom” away from ESPN.
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