Fox wanted Peyton Manning to actually be the lead analyst on its new NFL package that is of $3 billion, it is discovering the idea of tempting the face of the NBC sports, Mike Tirico, as its the play-by-player on the 11-game schedule to assist making Manning more comfortable. “The idea is in the first quarter,” a source said.
What is that could add momentum to a Tirico-and-Manning combination is that the NFL, according to sources that like the pairing on the Thursdays. Fox and the league both want to give the Thursday package a big-time feel. Tirico was seen calling the Thursday night games until the NBC along with the CBS-lost its package to the Fox.
Manning and Tirico built a strong relationship over the period of time when Tirico called play-by-play on the “Monday night football.” The two of them have been together even during the manning’s post-playing career. When you look at manning, he might look friendly with Tirico’s former “Monday night football” partner, raiders coach Jon Gruden, who himself is a huge fan of Tirico.
There is a huge question in the minds of the audiences will NBC allow Tirico to work on the long run of the Fox games since he is its most marquee voice and the face of its sports division as well. If Tirico does not end up completing the Thursday night, it could be the impetus for the Fox in order to push Buck, who has been on the big stage for years or try the up and coming Burkhardt.
