"The network may take the show fully on the road next season and slim down its large cast," according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
After 17 years covering the NFL for NBC, it looks like Hall of Famer Tony Dungy will not return for next season.
According to a report by Andrew Marchand in The Athletic, Dungy is likely out as a regular on Football Night in America as NBC has plans to revamp the NFL pregame show for next season. Dungy was the subject of significant scrutiny during NBCs Super Bowl pregame coverage when he refused to share if he had voted for Bill Belichick on his Pro Football Hall of Fame ballot.
Last season, Awful Announcing wrote about how Football Night in America was in serious need of a refresh. In recent years, Dungys role has been part of a satellite studio alongside analyst Rodney Harrison and reporter Jac Collinsworth that is separate from the main panel in NBC Sports Stamford, CT, headquarters. The two separate panels has made for a disjointed viewing experience, especially given the condensed nature of the show compared to other pregame programs.
Per Marchand, letting go of Dungy is one of the first decisions in what is anticipated to be a new-look show. It seems the rest of the secondary panel could also be in danger. The network may take the show fully on the road next season and slim down its large cast, the report reads.
While Marchand characterizes Dungys firing as likely, no move has been finalized yet. There is a possibility that Dungy is awarded an emeritus role similar to what NBC has recently done with Bob Costas.
Contracts for many of the Football Night in America cast ended following the Super Bowl, per Marchand. The show currently consists of analysts Dungy, Harrison, Devin McCourty, Jason Garrett, and Chris Simms, alongside host Maria Taylor, Collinsworth, insider Mike Florio, fantasy expert Matthew Berry, and stats guru Steve Kornacki.
A ten-person cast would be unwieldy on any studio show, much less one that most fans are tuning into for a maximum of 15 or 20 minutes following the conclusion of the late-afternoon window.
Drew Lerner is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and an aspiring cable subscriber. He previously covered sports media for Sports Media Watch. Future beat writer for the Oasis reunion tour.
Shut up and dribble: the political lean of pro sports in America
The top sports media stories of 2025
The Group of Five playoff idea is terrible, and here's why
Pat McAfee's top feuds, beefs, and rants of 2025
Phillies broadcaster Tom McCarthy had a delightful day in center field, comedy ensued
"Some of the hitters, though, are complaining. There's a little glare coming off of right centerfield."
NBC reuniting Bob Costas, Mike Fratello, Doug Collins and other 90s legends for Spurs-76ers
Veteran Jim Gray will handle sideline reporting duties.
Apple unveils F1 coverage plans ahead of Melbourne Grand Prix launch
Apple showed how the sport will integrate across its entire ecosystem when the season begins on March 7 in Melbourne.
Netflix pulls Warner Bros. Discovery offer after Paramount proposal deemed superior
Netflix now has four business days to submit a better offer.
Brady Tkachuk upset over White House AI-doctored video insulting Canadians: Thats not who I am
"Well, it's clearly fake, because it's not my voice, not my lips moving."
Chris Berman sets end date for legendary ESPN career
"I’m just so proud of what we’ve been from Day 1 to getting a Super Bowl."
