In a move that can only be described as surprising, ESPN announced today that NFL analyst Sean Salisbury is out after 12 years.
A press release put forth by the Worldwide Leader has just two short statements, one from Salisbury, the other by ESPN. No reason is given, no explanation is forthcoming.
Salisbury says he looks forward to expanding into other opportunities. For its part, ESPN says it wishes him the best. For an announcement of such magnitude, the lack of words speak volumes. First, it’s very strange to have just two statements and second, there was no indication of ill-will from either side until now.
Judd Zulgad of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune first broke the story.
Tom Hoffarth of the Los Angeles Daily News writes in his blog that Salisbury’s website and MySpace profile are down and not working.
Newsday’s Neil Best says Salisbury’s contract was up and ESPN decided not to renew it.
The Sports Media Watch has a report on Salisbury’s departure.
Awful Announcing gives its take on the news.
Sports by Brooks is pleased to see Salisbury gone.
And I give the last word to Michael David Smith from the AOL Fanhouse blog.
Why do I have the feeling we haven’t heard the last of this story?
