Behind the Mic: Matt Ryan in, Simms and Boomer Out at CBS's NFL Today; Barkley Up for Grabs if WBD Loses NBA By SVG Staff
Friday, May 3, 2024 - 12:02 pm
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Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week's edition, Matt Ryan is in at CBS Sports' NFL Today and Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason are out; if Warner Bros. Discovery loses the NBA, Charles Barkley will be a free agent but Ernie Johnson will stay; and veteran golf analyst Peter Oosterhuis has died at the age of 76.
CBS's NFL Today Shakeup: Matt Ryan in, Simms and Boomer Out CBS Sports' THE NFL TODAY will have a new look this fall as Matt Ryan, the 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player and a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, moves to the studio and joins James Brown, Nate Burleson, Bill Cowher and JJ Watt. Both Phil Simms and Boomer Esiason will depart the show after legendary careers with the network.
Ryan, who officially announced his retirement from the NFL last week, joined CBS Sports last season as an NFL game analyst and appeared in studio during the NFL playoffs and Super Bowl LVIII. He also served as a studio analyst across CBS Sports platforms, including THAT OTHER PREGAME SHOW (TOPS), NFL MONDAY QB and CBS Sports HQ.
Matt had an outstanding first year at CBS Sports, excelling as both a studio and game analyst, said Berson. He is the consummate team player and a Hall of Fame person. We love the chemistry he has with the studio crew and we're excited to see him entertain NFL fans and share his passion, insight and perspective alongside JB, Nate, Coach and JJ.
I grew up watching THE NFL TODAY so I'm honored to join this iconic show and hope to continue the high standard set by Phil, Boomer and others before me, said Ryan. I am thankful for this exciting new opportunity and can't wait to get started with my new teammates.
For more than two decades, Simms and Esiason were integral to the success of the NFL ON CBS. Simms served as lead game analyst for nearly 20 years before seamlessly transitioning to the studio. His unique style, strong opinions, unparalleled preparation and willingness to have fun with his teammates made him one of the greatest analysts in the history of the NFL.
Esiason's analysis, experience and knowledge, coupled with his quick wit and distinct perspective, made him one of the best studio analysts for more than two decades, serving as THE NFL TODAY's longest-tenured analyst. As Esiason steps aside from THE NFL TODAY, he will remain part of the CBS Sports family with the BOOMER AND GIO SHOW on CBS Sports Network.
Phil and Boomer set the standard of excellence for NFL analysts, added Berson. We are so grateful for their immeasurable contributions to CBS Sports. We genuinely thank them for being incredible teammates and for their passion, dedication and commitment to elevating CBS Sports' NFL coverage every season.
Ryan is one of only five players in NFL history to pass for at least 60,000 yards and win an MVP. He played 15 NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts and ranks in the Top 10 in NFL history in passing yards (62,792), touchdowns (381), completions (5,551) and attempts (8,464). A first-round draft pick (No. 3 overall) by the Falcons out of Boston College in 2008, Ryan holds every significant franchise passing record, including yards, touchdowns, completions, attempts and passer rating. He was selected to four Pro Bowls and guided the Falcons to six playoff berths, including an NFC Championship and an appearance in Super Bowl LI.
If WBD Loses NBA, Barkley Will Be Free Agent But EJ Will Stay With rumors swirling that Warner Bros. Discovery could end up losing its NBA rights package in the current round of negotiations, TNT's Inside the NBA star Charles Barkeley told 850 ESPN Cleveland that he signed 10-year deal two years ago, but one of the things I did was I put an opt-out in a couple years because I wanted to cover my ass when it comes to this situation. He added, If you guys lose the NBA, I want to make sure I can get out of here.' So I am actually in a really great position, Barkley said. Listen, I love TNT, they've been great to me I wanted to make sure that if we lost the NBA in two years, I could be a free agent.
While Barkley will be a free agent if Warner Bros. Discovery loses its NBA package following the 2024-25 season, SBJ reports that co-host Ernie Johnson would remain at Turner either way meaning next season could be the last for TNT's award-winning studio show Inside the NBA. Johnson, who has been the lead studio host for Inside the NBA for 35 years, would continue his role as lead studio host for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, as well as do MLB play-by-play, according to the report.
Veteran Golf Analyst Peter Oosterhuis Dies at 76 Peter Oosterhuis, a former golf analyst CBS, Sky Sports and Golf Channel and two-time winner of the European Tour money title, died Thursday, a day short of his 76th birthday. No cause was given by the PGA Tour, which announced his passing. After working as the lead analyst for The Golf Channel's incipient coverage of the DP World Tour, Oosty became a fixture on CBS's broadcasting of the PGA TOUR, working the Masters from 1997 through 2014. Oosterhuis retired from broadcasting in 2014 with early onset Alzheimer's disease.
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Behind the Mic: Matt Ryan in, Simms and Boomer Out at CBS's NFL Today; Barkley Up for Grabs if WBD Loses NBA By SVG Staff 
