NFL correspondent Sal Paolantonio makes final decision over ESPN retirement after 30 years on network

EXPERIENCED NFL reporter Sal Paolantonio has put off retirement and signed a two-year extension with ESPN.

Paolantonio is about to reach 30 years with the network, with the extension set to carry him through to May 2027.

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Paolantonio’s stellar 30-year career covering the NFL with ESPN has brought him a variety of awards[/caption]

AFP

The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to old onto their Super Bowl title after beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February[/caption]

There were questions as to whether the veteran NFL correspondent would retire from his role at the end of his existing deal.

But this new extension put those concerns to bed, securing another two years of Paolantonio on American screens, according to Pro Football Talk.

By the time of the new contract’s expiry, the New York native will be 71 years old.

Paolantonio joined ESPN in 1995, where he has covered the NFL nationally in a variety of roles.

Whether it was through his interviews, panel appearances or game analysis, Paolantonio has become a familiar face in NFL coverage.

He originally started his career in journalism as a political reporter for the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1985.

He made the switch into sports coverage for the paper in 1993, reporting on the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL.

Paolantonio continued in this role until his 1995 switch to ESPN, where the scope of his coverage expanded to include the entire NFL.

He has, however, maintained a close association with the Eagles, and is in prime position to capitalise on that relationship as the nations’ eyes turn to their defense of their Super Bowl title.

His contributions to sports journalism earned him admission to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame last November, among a host of other accolades.

Paolantonio’s extension goes against a recent trend of firings at ESPN.

The sports network has laid off a plethora of on-air talent to make room for the massive contracts of their top talents.

Names like Zach Lowe and Robert Griffin III were among the biggest names to be let go.

Fans are glad to see Paolantonio sticking around, and shared their love for him on social media.

“Sal’s a legend!” one fan said.

“One of the 4 or 5 people you can listen to,” another fan said.

“Everyone loves Sal Pal!” a third fan said.

“Sal Pal one of the greats,” a fourth fan said.