Sean Payton stepped down as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints last month, and it appears there is a bidding war brewing for his services in the television industry.
A report last week revealed that Payton is in negotiations with FOX to potentially replace Troy Aikman as the network’s lead NFL analyst. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Payton also has plans to meet with Amazon.
The meeting will be the second between Payton and Amazon. Florio reports that Payton does not currently have a preference between Amazon and FOX.
Amazon holds the exclusive rights to “Thursday Night Football” beginning next season. The games will also be broadcast in the local markets of the teams that are playing. The streaming giant is casting a wide net in its search for a color analyst, with Al Michaels viewed as the favorite to be the play-by-play commentator.
At least one well-known NFL general manager has also been pursued by Amazon.
If FOX is guaranteeing Payton a spot alongside Joe Buck, that would probably be the better gig. Aikman is expected to leave FOX after agreeing to a massive contract with ESPN.
Photo: Aug 23, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton looks on during the second half against Jacksonville Jaguars at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
