When ESPN and the SEC announced the formation of “SEC Nation,” the SEC Network’s version of College GameDay, you knew that the announcement of Tim Tebow joining the show and ESPN wasn’t far behind. Well, lo and behold, it happened on Monday when ESPN told the world it had hired him for SEC Nation as well as various appearances on the network.
In fact, Tebow’s first appearances will be on Monday, January 6 when he joins pregame coverage of the BCS National Championship Game on ESPN. He’ll be on SportsCenter, College Football Live and then College GameDay.
Tebow will join host Joe Tessitore on SEC Nation when it premieres August 28, 2014 on the new SEC Network.
Tebow’s ESPN contract allows him to leave for potential NFL opportunities, but I have a feeling this will become his permanent gig.
Let’s take a look at the announcement.
SEC Network Hires Tim Tebow for Pregame Show SEC Nation, Additional ESPN Duties
Will Make Analyst Debut During ESPN’s BCS National Championship Coverage January 6 from Pasadena
Former Florida quarterback and Heisman winner, Tim Tebow, has been hired as a college football analyst for the SEC Network launching in August 2014. Through a multi-year agreement, Tebow’s primary role will be as an analyst for SEC Nation, the network’s traveling pregame show that will originate from a different SEC campus each week beginning August 28, 2014. In the months leading up to launch and after, he will contribute to a variety of ESPN platforms including SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, and the network’s Heisman Trophy coverage, offering in-depth perspective as a legendary Southeastern Conference player.
On Monday, Jan. 6, Tebow will make his first appearance as an ESPN analyst during pregame coverage of the 2013 BCS National Championship. He will contribute to the 9 a.m. ET edition of SportsCenter, College Football Live (3 p.m.) and College GameDay (7 p.m.). He will also be part of studio coverage for the new College Football Playoff (semifinals and championship game), which begins next season.
Tebow is the first college football analyst hired for the SEC Network. He joins a commentating roster that includes Joe Tessitore, host of SEC Nation, and Paul Finebaum, host of The Paul Finebaum radio show.
“Tim is a SEC icon with a national fan base and broad appeal. He will be a significant contributor to the compelling content we will deliver with the SEC Network,” said Justin Connolly, ESPN senior vice president, programming, college networks. “Tim brings a wealth of knowledge about the game, the conference and the passion among SEC fans.”
“I am so excited that ESPN has given me this incredible opportunity,” said Tebow. “When I was six years old I fell in love with the game of football, and while I continue to pursue my dream of playing quarterback in the NFL, this is an amazing opportunity to be part of the unparalleled passion of college football and the SEC.”
Tebow and Tessitore’s first SEC Nation show will air from Columbia, S.C., Thursday, Aug. 28, for the Texas A&M at South Carolina game. The game will be televised exclusively on the network. The show’s two-hour (10 a.m. – noon) Saturday debut will be August 30 from Auburn, Ala., when Arkansas visits Auburn. SEC Nation will air every Saturday throughout the SEC college football season and offer an immersive look at game day around SEC campuses.
”SEC Nation will be a tent pole program for the network and as a recent SEC star, Tim Tebow was the ideal candidate to deliver first-hand insight into the coaches, players and programs,” said Stephanie Druley, vice president production, college networks.
Tebow’s role with ESPN will not preclude him from continuing to pursue playing opportunities in the NFL.
There you have it.
