One of ESPN’s signature events leading into the NFL season, the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, will continue to be on the Alleged Worldwide Leader through 2020. A new seven year deal was announced today.
For the first time, ESPN will pay a rights fee to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The network has been airing the Enshrinement Ceremony from Canton, OH since 1995.
Chris Berman will emcee this year’s event and Trey Wingo will host as it will air live Saturday, August 2 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2. This year’s class includes Derrick Brooks, Ray Guy, Claude Humphrey, Andre Reed and Michael Strahan.
Here’s ESPN’s announcement.
ESPN and Pro Football Hall of Fame Agree to Seven-Year Deal
Enshrinement Ceremony to Air on ESPN Through 2020
ESPN has reached a new seven-year agreement with the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, to present the annual Enshrinement Ceremony, beginning this year. The agreement extends through 2020, the centennial anniversary of the National Football League’s inaugural season.
Since 1995, ESPN has televised the Enshrinement Ceremony when each new class of legendary players, coaches and contributors is officially welcomed into the Hall of Fame. This year’s ceremony – ESPN’s 20th consecutive – will be televised Saturday, August 2, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2 (and WatchESPN).
Trey Wingo will host ESPN’s coverage from Canton with NFL analysts Tom Jackson and Chris Mortensen and reporter Sal Paolantonio. ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown host Chris Berman – who received the distinguished Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award from the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010 – will again emcee the ceremony, a position he has been honored to hold since 1999.
“The Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony is a signature event that honors the sport’s all-time greats and each year helps officially kick off the start of the new season,” said Burke Magnus, Senior Vice President, Programming Acquisitions. “ESPN has a proud history of presenting this celebration of the game of football and we are thrilled to extend our relationship with the Hall of Fame with this new long-term agreement.”
Pro Football Hall of Fame President David Baker added: “ESPN has for many years been a committed partner in helping the Pro Football Hall of Fame fulfill its mission to honor the heroes of the Game, preserve its history, promote its values so as to celebrate the excellence of the legends that are honored at the Enshrinement Ceremony. On behalf of all those who love the Game and the legends who play it, we look forward to a long and successful relationship in the years ahead.”
And that will do it.
