Ray Lewis Close to Deal With ESPN

[Vincent33]

From SI:

ESPN is on the verge of adding Ray Lewis to its talent lineup.
Multiple sources told SI.com the Ravens linebacker is close to signing a multi-year contract with the network. At ESPN, Lewis is expected to have a significant role on the network's Monday Night Countdown program. As with most ESPN NFL talent, Lewis would also be featured on multiple platforms, including ESPN Radio.
No formal announcement from Lewis or the network is expected until the conclusion of the Ravens season. Lewis announced Wednesday that he planned to retire at the end of Baltimore's season. The Ravens host the Colts on Sunday in the AFC WIld Card round.
An ESPN spokesperson declined comment when contacted Thursday morning.
According to multiple sources, Lewis and his representatives from talent agency William Morris Endeavor met during the season with several of the NFL broadcast networks.
One of Lewis' main requirements, according to sources, was flexibility in his schedule so he could attend the games of his son, Ray Lewis III, who will be a freshman running back/defensive back next season at his father's alma mater, the University of Miami. Such scheduling made Lewis an unlikely fit for a full-time role on the Sunday morning shows aired by CBS or Fox where he'd be required to be part of pre-show meetings on either Saturday or early Sunday. There is a possibility Lewis could work for ESPN on some Sundays depending on his travel. Given his star power, it's very likely Lewis would have a role on ESPN's multiple-day coverage of April's NFL draft.
Every network with an NFL contract has a list of players and coaches who would make good broadcasters. Last month, SI.com interviewed executives at CBS, ESPN, Fox, NBC and The NFL Network to find out who was on their watch lists. Unsurprisingly, Lewis was high on most charts. Some believe he can have a Charles Barkley-like impact in the studio.


Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nfl...#ixzz2GvjuX0JJ

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Would be a great hire for ESPN.

[Pinstripe power]

nice to know ray lewis will still be around. i figured he would tkae a few years off

[Sooper]

[RaiderLakersA's]

Monday Night Football with Tirico, Gruden and Ray Ray in the booth. 'Nuff said.

[Max Power]

The transition might be a little rough. Ray Ray gonna have to learn that when someone on the production team yells "Cut" it has a totaly different meaning than when he yells it to his posse.

[NYSPORTS98]

Was hoping he went into the booth and not be part of these mindless pregames, postgames, etc.

[Tragedy]

Not even a little bit surprising.

[rlundi86]

The transition might be a little rough. Ray Ray gonna have to learn that when someone on the production team yells "Cut" it has a totaly different meaning than when he yells it to his posse.

[jd25213]

Monday Night Football with Tirico, Gruden and Ray Ray in the booth. 'Nuff said.

This

[Vincent33]

Monday Night Football with Tirico, Gruden and Ray Ray in the booth. 'Nuff said.

Would be lovely.

[Pinstripe power]

Monday Night Football with Tirico, Gruden and Ray Ray in the booth. 'Nuff said.

yes!

[DBR96A]

Honestly, even though I think Ray Lewis would do TV pretty well, I wish that players would be retired for at least a few years before doing TV because they're a lot more prone to bias if they're fresh into retirement. Sure, players will always be prone to some bias in favor of the teams they played for (or against the teams that vanquished them), but they're bound to take it to another level when they're watching a team full of all their old teammates, especially when their old teammates inevitably start asking for shout-outs on the air or giving them hell for picking the other team to win.

[benzni]

awesome. He will still be around

[RaiderLakersA's]

Honestly, even though I think Ray Lewis would do TV pretty well, I wish that players would be retired for at least a few years before doing TV because they're a lot more prone to bias if they're fresh into retirement. Sure, players will always be prone to some bias in favor of the teams they played for (or against the teams that vanquished them), but they're bound to take it to another level when they're watching a team full of all their old teammates, especially when their old teammates inevitably start asking for shout-outs on the air or giving them hell for picking the other team to win.

That pretty much sums up the NFL Network's cast of characters to a "T." As long as Ray avoids joining that network, he should be fine. Well, I could see him knocking the hell out of Cris Collinsworth from time to time if he joined that crew, but otherwise, he should be ok.

[Stinkyoutsider]

I'm glad he's choosing to be around after his career is over. One of my favorite players. Great leader and always wants to do right and inspire people who need inspiration.