Well, it’s official. After weeks of speculation, rumor and innuendo, Colin Cowherd is headed to Fox Sports. The move comes after negotiations with Cowherd’s former employer, ESPN, fell apart some time ago. It also comes after Cowherd’s unceremonious exit from the Worldwide Leader. If you recall, Cowherd made these off-color remarks about Dominicans.
“It’s too complex? I’ve never bought into that ‘baseball is too complex.’ Really? A third of the sport is from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has not been known in my lifetime as having world class academic abilities. A lot of those kids come from rough backgrounds and have not had opportunities academically that other kids from other countries have. Baseball is like any sport. It’s mostly instincts. A sportswriter who covers baseball could go up to Tony La Russa and make an argument, and Tony would listen, and it would seem reasonable. There’s not a single NFL writer in the country who could diagram a play for Bill Belichick. You know, we get caught up in this whole ‘thinking-man’s game.’ Is it in the same family? Most people could do it. It’s not being a concert pianist. It’s in the same family.”
Cowherd later apologized, but the damage was already done. He had crossed the line with ESPN one too many times.
As for his move to Fox, it appears Cowherd will have a role as a football analyst, according to Jim Miller.
Deal for @ColinCowherd will be Fox network, FS1 & syndicated radio on Premiere. Again, $ from @espn were competitive. This was creative move
— james andrew miller (@JimMiller) August 12, 2015
Look for @ColinCowherd to start September 3 on @umichfootball at @UUtah pregame show (w/ Harbaugh). Radio gig will start September 8.
— james andrew miller (@JimMiller) August 12, 2015
So, which version of Cowherd is Fox getting? The no holds barred Cowherd, the one who goes after guys like John Wall, the one who trashes an entire group of people? Or a kinder, gentler Cowherd, one who doesn’t, um, insult people’s intelligence?
We’ll see.
