With the NFL season just around the corner, ESPN is making sure its biggest insider stays put for the long haul. According to Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, Adam Schefter is finalizing an extension that will keep him at the network deep into the next decade.
Schefter, who joined ESPN in 2009, has been the go-to source for NFL news for over a decade. He regularly appears on shows like Get Up and SportsCenter, and his reporting has become a staple of the league’s coverage. The new deal, sources say, would lock him in through the 2030s, preventing rival networks from poaching him.
“Adam Schefter and ESPN are closing in on a long-term extension that would keep him at the network several years into the 2030s,” Glasspiegel wrote. Financial terms haven’t been disclosed, but in 2022, Andrew Marchand reported Schefter was making around $9 million per year.
This move is part of a busy week for ESPN. The network recently locked up Mike Garafolo with a new deal, though he’ll remain on NFL Network, which is also owned by Disney. ESPN also signed former NFL quarterback and Heisman finalist Chase Daniel to a multiyear contract. Daniel will appear on SEC Nation and Thursday Night Primetime CFB this fall.
“To everyone who’s watched the YouTube breakdowns, listened to the podcasts, watched on TV, or supported this next chapter after my playing career…thank you. None of this happens without you,” Daniel said. “I can’t wait to hit the road with SEC Nation, call national ESPN games on Thursday nights, break down the NFL, and bring you guys even more football all season long.”
Schefter’s extension is the latest in a series of moves by ESPN to shore up its top talent. The network has also been in talks with Pat McAfee about a long-term deal, signaling a commitment to keeping its biggest personalities on board. For fans, that means Schefter will continue to break NFL news and provide analysis for years to come.
The timing is key: with the NFL season two months out, Schefter’s presence is more critical than ever. He’s been a fixture on the sidelines and in the studio, and his reporting has shaped how fans understand the league. The extension ensures that ESPN’s coverage won’t miss a beat.
While the exact dollar figures remain under wraps, the deal underscores Schefter’s value in a competitive media landscape. As other networks eye top talent, ESPN is making sure its star insider isn’t going anywhere.
