Tim Tebow Re-Ups with ESPN as Network Cuts Jobs
Former Gators legend Tim Tebow will not be leaving the screens of ESPN viewers for years to come.
The college football analyst signed a multi-year contract to remain with the network on Monday. He was an inaugural member of SEC Network’s “SEC Nation.”
“SEC fans bring a passion that never gets old, and I’m grateful I get to keep doing this alongside people who feel like family,” he said in a release.
On top of his work with “SEC Nation,” Tebow will continue to voice commentary on other ESPN shows.
When asked about the contract extension, ESPN Vice President of Programming Burke Magnus had nothing but positive things to say.
“Tim’s unrivaled experience in the SEC combined with his knowledge and genuine passion for the game make him one of the sport’s most credible voices, particularly among the ‘SEC Nation’ fanbase,” Magnus said.
Tebow’s deal comes just before recent layoffs from parent company Disney. Notable analysts and reporters like Ryan Clark and MLB Network’s Karl Ravech were among those laid off by ESPN.
Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a staff memo that the company was “forced” to make difficult decisions.
“Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN,” Pitaro said. “As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today.”
In June, Front Office Sports first reported news of potential cuts by ESPN in relation to its merger with NFL Network. The cuts would affect both on- and off-camera personnel.
After his NFL career ended in 2013, Tebow joined what would become a staple show for SEC fans. He’s been a main voice of the network for 13 seasons.
Disney CEO Josh D’Amaro hinted at job cuts in a memo to employees back in April.
“We will be eliminating roles in some parts of the company and have begun notifying impacted employees,” D’Amaro said in the memo.
The dollar amount attached to Tebow’s multi-year deal is still unknown.
The former Gator is arguably one of the most decorated college football players in history. He won the 2007 Heisman Trophy, coming off a season with 32 touchdowns and 3,286 yards. Tebow was a finalist for the award three times in his collegiate career.
The two-time SEC Offensive Player of the Year is the first player in NCAA history to both rush and pass for a minimum of 20 touchdowns in a single season.
Tebow led Florida to two national titles, in 2006 and 2008.
Category: Former Gators, Gator Sports, Gators Football, SEC
