Props go out to Jason McIntyre at The Big Lead for breaking the story of the day. Through sources, he learned that Jim Rome would take his show, “Jim Rome is Burning” from ESPN to CBS Sports Network.
Several developments had occurred recently that led Rome to leave. For instance, Dom Consentino of Deadspin says he’s learned that Rome wasn’t happy over comments made about him in the book, “Those Guys Have All the Fun: Inside the World at ESPN”.
ESPN has confirmed that Rome is leaving and his last day will be later this month.
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Rome joined ESPN2 from its inception in 1993 and his career there was known for the infamous on-air incident where he called Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jim Everett “Chris” as in Chris Evert saying the QB was afraid to get hit and Everett knocked him to the floor. He left ESPN2 and after focusing on his nationally syndicated Premiere Radio Networks show, Rome eventually returned to ESPN in 2003 to begin “Jim Rome is Burning” and was a part of the network’s afternoon talk lineup.
However, this past fall, “Jim Rome is Burning” was moved to ESPN2 and was shuffled to several different timeslots. Co-author of the ESPN book, James Andrew Miller tweeted that Rome apparently learned about the move when it was time to tape a promo.
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Apparently, Rome’s TV show was shopped around to NBC and CBS. SportsbyBrooks says after NBC passed, CBS took it and also agreed to have Rome make appearances on Showtime’s sports programming.
We’ll find out more when CBS makes an official announcement. We’ll learn when Rome’s show will air on CBS Sports Network and what role he’ll perform on Showtime. CBS has been aggressive in adding original programming for CBSN such as simulcasting the Tim Brando Show with Yahoo Sports Radio and signing MLB insider Jon Heyman and college football insider Bruce Feldman to bolster CBS Sports.com.
Certainly this was a move to make a splash for CBS Sports Network. We could see CBS and NBC make overtures to other ESPN on-air talent to lure them away from the Alleged Worldwide Leader.
