Peyton Manning is a big time name that the big time networks have wanted for several years.
So, this isn’t a surprise that a high price bidding war is going on. Here is the story via NY Post.
Both ESPN and Fox have Manning atop their list to be their primetime game analyst, sources told The Post. Manning has been approached multiple times about becoming a TV analyst since he retired, but has been reluctant.
Manning’s ultimate goal is to be like John Elway and have an ownership stake in a team, while running football operations, he has said. Multiple TV officials who have spoken to him believe that remains his long-term target, but Manning has not fully ruled out TV in the interim.
In the words of one source, ESPN is willing to “back up the truck” for Manning, wanting to make a splash in replacing Jon Gruden as the analyst on “Monday Night Football.” Gruden was reportedly the highest-paid ESPN employee, making more than $6.5 million before leaving for a 10-year, $100 million coaching deal with the Raiders.
No one really mentions Manning’s shady past of sexual harassment and potential doping, but we will see how it all shakes out.