FOX Sports is undergoing a major transformation, as longtime on-air personalities Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson are no longer signed with the network.
Their contracts expired after Super Bowl LIX, and as of now, both of them are no longer a part of the NFL on FOX.
For Andrews, who has been a staple at FOX since 2012, the door isn’t completely closed on a possible return. Meanwhile, Thompson remains part of Amazon’s Thursday Night Football broadcast team but hinted at new possibilities.
Thompson is appreciative of her time at FOX and made sure to thank those who have helped her along the way.
“I just have to say one thing – and this is also what I am going on and on about FOX, and I swear, I mean it’s not just because my contract’s up – I love FOX so much because my brother and my dad came to the Super Bowl, and FOX is family to me, so my own family like sharing in those moments,” she said.
“It was so fun, and FOX just makes them feel so welcome and makes sure they’re included in the events and everything. So I just would be remiss if I didn’t mention how wonderful my extended work family is to my own family.”
On their Calm Down with Erin and Charissa podcast, the duo dropped hints about what could be next.
“Erin and I also have an affinity for local news,” Thompson revealed, before joking about their future. “I hope it’s a retirement community in Florida or somewhere where they can roll us out and we can work like a couple days a week. Can you imagine?”
Andrews, on the other hand, made it clear she still has unfinished business with the network.
“I really hope I’m still employed by FOX when FOX gets a Vegas Super Bowl,” she said.
We all know that Jimmy Johnson just retired from his duties at FOX.
Another longtime FOX veteran is also preparing for his exit. Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw acknowledged that his time as an NFL analyst is winding down.
“I told my wife before I left the room a while ago… I was sitting there and I got two years left at FOX. I’m 76. It’s a young man’s game, I get that. Everybody wants the new thing… So I said if we can get to the next Super Bowl, I’ll be 80… I think that’s time and that’s 80 years old and that’s pushing it,” Bradshaw said.
However, FOX won’t broadcast another Super Bowl until 2029, meaning Bradshaw would need to stay on longer than initially planned to reach that milestone.
While it’s a little strange that FOX allowed the contracts of both Andrews and Thompson to expire, it’s hard to imagine both – especially Andrews – not continuing on with the network. (Although it seems like her role was reduced in recent years.)
What are your thoughts on the situation???
