SPORTSCASTER Rich Eisen has emerged as a leading candidate to call YouTube’s first live NFL game of next season, per reports.
The streaming platform is set to broadcast the game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Rich Eisen has been lined up for a major new role[/caption]
YouTube has not yet secured a play-by-play announcer for the game.
It’s thought that they have faced difficulties in convincing the NFL‘s more traditional media partners to loan out their on-air-stars.
Per The Athletic, Eisen is now the “leading” contender to land the job.
The decision would see the 55-year-old reunite with Kurt Warner on the mic.
Eisen and Warner have frequently worked together in the past for NFL Network.
The game is set to take place Sao Paulo’s Corinthians Arena on September 5.
NFL Network star Eisen is set to bring his “Rich Eisen Show” to ESPN this fall.
The veteran star previously worked for ESPN between 1996 and 2003.
Last week it was reported that Eisen is set to return to the network after more than two decades away.
His show currently airs on The Roku Channel between noon to 3:00 pm EST.
It’s claimed that the show will be licensed by ESPN, but that Eisen will retain editorial control.
This would mark a similar deal to the one previously struck with Pat McAfee.
The Rich Eisen Show could also air on ESPN Radio, as well as ESPN+ and Disney+.
Eisen’s move comes amid talks between ESPN and the NFL over a major new deal.
NFL WEEK 1 SCHEDULE
(All times ET)
Thur 4 Sept
8.20 pm – Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Fri 5 Sept
8pm – Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers
Sun 7 Sept
1pm – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
1pm – Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
1pm – Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
1pm – Las Vegas Raiders at New England Patriots
1pm – Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
1pm – Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
1pm – New York Giants at Washington Commanders
1pm – Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars
4.05 pm – Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
4.05 pm – San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
4.25 pm – Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
4.25 pm – Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
8.20 pm – Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Mon 8 Sept
8.15 pm – Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Should an agreement be found, the deal could see ESPN acquire a significant chunk of NFL Media.
This may include NFL Network and the Red Zone Channel.
While ESPN could also get their hands on the seven live regular season games set to be shown on NFL Network.
League owners could vote on a potential deal early next month.
NFL Media has reportedly been valued at around $2 billion.
A process to finalize any deal is likely to take at least nine months to complete.
