As the football world is often reminded, not all NFL drama happens on the field.
Sometimes the most intense drama comes from the media world.
While it’s true that some people don’t give a damn about anything having to do with broadcasting, the majority of fans have found it quite interesting that Tom Brady has kicked Greg Olsen to the curb when it comes to the FOX Sports NFL booth.
In fairness, it’s not Brady’s fault – at all.
He signed his 10-year, $375 million deal (!!!) with FOX Sports long ago before the entire country seemingly fell in love with Olsen in the booth.
While it’s true that Olsen developed great chemistry with his broadcaster partner Kevin Burkhardt, no one can blame FOX for executing what their plan was all along – putting Brady on the A-team in 2024.
What’s humorous about the whole situation is that Olsen just won a Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Personality/Event Analyst.
Him being awarded for his work adds an extra layer of awkwardness to the already tense situation.
During his acceptance speech, Olsen couldn’t help but acknowledge the elephant in the room, joking, “I think there’s a lot of people wondering what I’m going to say right now…”
“Coming into tonight, people asked me, they say, ‘What’s your biggest threat to your future in the business?’ And everyone’s like, ‘Oh, Brady and this,’ and I think it’s Andy from ‘Toy Story.’ If he gets in, (Cris) Collinsworth, (Troy) Aikman, we’re dead. But I really appreciate it.”
The former tight end spent 14 years playing in the NFL and was always considered one of the most likable and respected players in the league.
His personality translated perfectly to the broadcast booth – something that’s not always the case.
Due to Brady’s arrival, Olsen will be demoted to the FOX B-team where he will be teamed up with play-by-play announcer Joe Davis.
Along with the demotion in assignment comes an enormous blow to his pocket.
Olsen’s salary will reportedly drop from $10 million to $3 million.
Despite the setback, Olsen maintains his dignity and professionalism, even extending a helping hand to Brady in his new broadcasting venture.
“He was just kind of picking my brain about the prep and the industry and what to expect and whatnot,” Olsen told USA Today earlier this month in reference to a recent conversation he had with his replacement.
“So, I don’t know. Every guy has their own journey in sports broadcasting. I think everyone thinks it’s easy.
“I think everyone thinks getting up there and calling a live football game for three hours off the cuff, and being able to get in, get out, deal with the flow of the game, the players, the schemes, the terminology — there’s a lot going on during a game, and I think some guys really transition to it well and take to it pretty quickly. And other guys haven’t. We’ve seen a mixed bag of results over the last couple of years.”
In his acceptance speech, Olsen hinted at his continued passion for football analysis, expressing uncertainty about the future but affirming his commitment to the game.
“This is super cool. I don’t know what the future holds, all I know is I love talking football, I love talking ball, I love studying it, I love seeing where the game is going,” he said.
“Wherever that takes me, whatever level it is, I’m more committed to the game of football now.”
What are your thoughts on Olsen as a broadcaster? … Do you think he’s a tad overrated or is he deserving of all the praise he’s been getting?
Do you feel bad that Brady’s knocking him down a peg?
As far as Brady, how do you think he will end up being as a broadcaster? … Will he be closer to Troy Aikman or Jason Witten?
Or are you in the camp of people who simply do not give a damn about this???