Harry Jaffe of The Washingtonian has an interesting interview with Joe Theismann, the former Redskins quarterback and former ESPN broadcaster who lost his job early this year when the Worldwide Leader decided to re-tool Monday Night Football and put Ron Jaworski in the broadcast booth.But the most interesting part of Jaffe's report comes from something Theismann can't actually talk about: His financial arrangement with ESPN. According to Jaffe, getting rid of Theismann wasn't cheap for ESPN:
In the middle of our first interview, his assistant, Sandy Sedlak, slid settlement papers across the table for Theismann's signature. His deal with ESPN was $8 million for five years. He was less than two years into the contract.Yeah, I'd smile if I were getting paid $4 million not to work, too. How much does your employer have to want to get rid of you to pay you $4 million to go away? Apparently a lot, but it's not hard to picture Jaworski drawing in enough extra viewers to make it worth the money for ESPN.I asked what the settlement was worth. "Can't say," he responded. About $4 million is a good guess.
Theismann did smile when he signed the papers.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
12-04-2007 @ 3:40PM
chuck said...
I don't see how anyone can say that the new trio of announcers are better than the previous. I watch football now with the volume down and my stereo up. these guys are boring and most of the time talking about things other than the game .
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12-04-2007 @ 3:40PM
Mike Napihaa said...
Joe is really good.
Why don't they put him and Jaws together to do MNF? I can't stand to watch anymore..
Tony is terrible!!! Keep him on PTI where he is funny.
ESPN needs to do something about MNF because it is really really bad now.. Hell, Pat Summerall, Jaws and Joe would be a good group since you can't get Madden.
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12-04-2007 @ 3:48PM
Lynda said...
At least we don't have to listen to him anymore. I always muted the game when he announced.
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12-04-2007 @ 3:49PM
Karen said...
CAN'T STAND WATCHING THE FOOTBALL ON ESPN THA ANNOUNCERS ARE BORING BRING BACK JOE HE WAS VERY GOOD THE OTHER STINK
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12-04-2007 @ 3:50PM
Jesus-Menthol said...
Theisman was OK, but I for one really likw the new line up, consisting of the Polish Rifle, Ron Jaworski, Tony Kornheiser and Mike Torico...
I actually watch the game with ESPN audio this year, as opposed to last year, trying to listen to the radio feed...
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12-04-2007 @ 3:51PM
72buick said...
Theismann is stuck on himself, often interupts others and just never shuts up. I am very happy he is gone.
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12-04-2007 @ 3:55PM
EskinSux said...
It was worth every penny....
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12-04-2007 @ 3:56PM
Paul Nicholson said...
It's not the inane announcers that get me. But I really am tired of these mindless interviews that have to be done every game now with someone who really doesn't have anything to do with the game going on. There's three guys in the both, one on the sidelines and that's still not enough. I want to watch the game, not some stupid interview plugging another mindless network show. ABC/ESPN is most guilty of this. Just knock it off.
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12-04-2007 @ 3:57PM
Bob said...
The entire trio are so bad.I must totally cut out the sound in order to stay in the same room..Egotists personafied
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12-04-2007 @ 3:58PM
timnewhart said...
JAWS? He's pretty darn borning -- and doesn't really have the knack for sharing the insider's perspective. Give me Madden any day -- these other guys just can't hold a candle. I'll give Jaws one thing, he does have a command of the English language (meaning no ebonics).
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12-04-2007 @ 4:00PM
Ken said...
I cant believe they pay those guys so much, I would like to see what all the ex jocks get paid and compare it to what they made while playing. I never liked Theisman he was very biased and routed for teams while on the air which I thought was unprofessional. Why didn't ESPN put a black commentator (the NFL is mostly black players) in the booth it would be interesting to hear a different point of view. What ever they do Kornheiser has to go ASAP even if they don't replace him it would be a better telecast.
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12-04-2007 @ 4:01PM
Wunderhund Productions said...
At least Joe knew what he was talking about.
Need a laugh? Check out "Welcome to Heaven Michael Vick" on Revver:
http://revver.com/watch/402418/welcome-to-heaven-michael-vick/
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12-04-2007 @ 4:02PM
Jim Morrell said...
I agree with Chuck. Best turn down the volume. These guys talk about everything but the game at hand. They let plays go by with no comment while they discuss baseball, basketball or some other game, etc, etc. They are distracting to anyone interested in the game being played.
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12-04-2007 @ 4:07PM
Lois said...
Theisman's favorite topic is not football.
His favorite topic is himself. I find him
boring. Rather listen to Jaws talk football.
Rather listen to anyone else talk football.
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12-04-2007 @ 4:07PM
Redskins Robbie said...
Too bad Lawrence Taylor didnt break Theismans jaw, instead of just his leg 20 years ago. I'm a lifelong Redskins Fan & DC native.
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12-04-2007 @ 4:11PM
Steve said...
Just to add to Chuck's comments. I loved the old booth team on ESPN and have quit watching with the new.
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12-04-2007 @ 4:14PM
Lois Harrington said...
One thing I can't stand is the sideline quickie
interviews with a some no-name female who is programed to ask dumb questions of coaches as
they are leaving for halftime. It is irratating.
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12-04-2007 @ 4:21PM
bab006 said...
Joe T. has more knowledge than that Tony K. ever had. I cannot even stand to listen to him talk. I do turn down the volume. Bring back Joe ESPN you are losing viewers!
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12-04-2007 @ 4:25PM
van said...
Remember Howard ??
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12-04-2007 @ 4:32PM
Lois Henderson said...
Okay so you think Joe can't narrate a game, But come on - he is so easy on the eyes!!
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