Jerome Bettis Reportedly Out At NBC
Thursday, April 30, 2009
This is just speculation, but it's being WIDELY speculated today. Jerome Bettis will not have his contract renewed by NBC, and will be left out in the cold come this season on the network. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald mentioned this when Madden's retirement announcement came down, and now Neil Best is reporting the same thing....
Three years after his much-ballyhooed, post-Super Bowl, announced-during-the-Winter Olympics hiring, it is likely NBC football analyst Jerome Bettis will not have his contract renewed for the coming season and beyond.While I normally would think that a network would love to make a huge splash like this, it makes no sense for NBC. They already have twenty people on the payroll, and not nearly enough studio space or time to put them on air. As for Bettis, you knew it was a matter of time. The guy is extremely likeable, but he really just didn't belong on television.
Late last season NBC moved Bettis and Tiki Barber out of its crowded studio and into the field to serve primarily as well-connected reporters.
If NBC has a replacement in mind, I do not know who he is.
Hey...what about that retired quarterback the Jets released this week?
Jerome Bettis appears to be on his way out at NBC (Watchdog)
8 Comments:
Maybe the network is realizing that hiring recently retired players that offer no real analysis is not a good business move.
At the very least clearing out the clown car of a football studio is a step in the right direction. It's getting so bad that Fox's studio desk is starting to look like the Last Supper.
Maybe he got pissed that they courted Millen, who is also sort-of from Detroit.
Now if they get rid of Olberdouche, it might make that stupid show watchable.
No surprise. Bettis and Tiki Barber have been a complete disapointment on TV. They have provided zero inighsts since they wee hired by NBC.
Bettis is likeable but he really has no business being on national television. I can't understand why Sterling Sharpe isn't with the peacock anymore. Perhaps his eyebrows really do scare young children.
RJBO, your thoughts?
Anywho, it looks like they may streamlie the show with Bob, Tiki, Keith and Dan in the studio this coming season from what it looks like. Although I've heard a rumor that Bus may join Tom Hamond on Notre Dame telecasts as Pat Haden's replacement as NBC is looking for someone with a more critical eye towards ND.
JC, if I had to stick up for everyone from Detroit that's ill-equipped for their job, I would've been praising Matt Millen, Kwame Kilpatrick & Rob Parker here.
But he's from Detroit, dammit!!!