Bored 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nf...htm?POE=SPOISVA CBS dumps Deion By Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY Deion Sanders, a controversial lightning rod for the NFL Today pregame show for three years, has been dropped by CBS. Sanders, who had earned about $1 million annually for the last two years, asked for about $2 million a year. CBS' offer had been $1.3 million a year before negotiations ended. "I got a call from (CBS Sports President) Sean McManus on Tuesday that stated it's been wonderful and I tried," Sanders said Wednesday. "I know business is business. But it's not like I don't know the market. Just try to meet me halfway." Said McManus: "I wish Deion nothing but the best of luck in the future. He was a terrific guy to work with." The former all-pro defensive back had been popular with a portion of CBS' viewers but his sometimes strong opinions did not resonate with others. CBS has several candidates under consideration to team with host Jim Nantz and analysts Boomer Esiason and Dan Marino on NFL Today, whose ratings for smaller AFC markets generally will be lower than those of Fox's NFC markets. Among the candidates are Shannon Sharpe, Rod Woodson, Seth Joyner and Neil O'Donnell. Sharpe, Woodson and O'Donnell all played in the NFL last season but are considering making the jump from the field to the broadcast booth. Sanders had sought to receive a salary close to that of popular Fox NFL Sunday veteran analyst Howie Long, who earns about $1.5 million a year from the network. Terry Bradshaw's salary at Fox is believed to be about $2.5 million. "My understanding is they were extremely happy with Deion. He did the job," said Sanders' agent, Eugene Parker. "The difference is what his compensation should be going forward." Said Sanders: "I don't think anyone in the profession did as much as me. I did interviews and features. I would have done them weekly but they also had Lesley (Visser) and Marcus (Allen). A lot of guys have been around the NBA longer than LeBron James, too. But (the Cleveland Cavaliers) saw fit to take care of him. It's not how much you've been around but how much you've done lately." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dr. Tom 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Good riddance. Christ, he was annoying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 I'd rather see Michael Irvin get fired. I'm a Cowboys fan and I can't stand him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted May 13, 2004 I wasn't bothered by his strong opinions so much as his dumb opinions. I'm trying to decide who is worse between him and Irvin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jorge Gorgeous 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 I wasn't bothered by his strong opinions so much as his dumb opinions. I'm trying to decide who is worse between him and Irvin. Its like picking between Cancer and AIDS, man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Now he's got more time to stiff auto body shops, per God's orders. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Not that he needs the money, but Deion could make big money has a public speaker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mole 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Wow, Deion was one of the main reasons to watch CBS instead of Fox for pre-game shows. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Wow, Deion was one of the main reasons to watch CBS instead of Fox for pre-game shows. I'll stand by your side on this one. I liked him, too. However, every week I'd watch about 15 minutes of CBS during pre-game shows, so I might be missing some reasonable anti-Sanders moments. For example, what were some of his "strong" opinions? I really didn't hear anything that out-of-control from him. But from what I read, I do agree with CBS for sticking to their guns -- he didn't deserve "Howie" money... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nl5xsk1 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 If people are really going to miss him, I could volunteer to log onto TSM and talk gibberish and abuse the English language for an hour or so every Sunday. I can't promise to be wearing stupid-ass suits, but I can at least provide your weekly dose of "what the fuck is he trying to say?!?" Just let me know. I'll certainly do it for less than $1,000,000. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Baron 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Deion will go to ESPN or Fox probably...mainly Fox for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Hmm. At first I hoped no one would hire him, but then I realized it might be better to get him back on TV so he can't release another album. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ant_7000 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 I didn't see the problem with Deion, besides interrupting most of the time, but all those guys were boring. I watched FOX pregame most of the time. I will miss those sharp suits he wears thou. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Hmm. At first I hoped no one would hire him, but then I realized it might be better to get him back on TV so he can't release another album. Must be da MUUUUUNNNAAAAAYYYYYYY~! you know you'd buy it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smues Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Well I bought Prime Time just to see if it was as bad as I thought it would be. It was. I don't know if I could bring myself to buy another one. I still haven't gotten the nerve to get a second Shaq album. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted May 13, 2004 They should replace him with Cris Carter. His annalysis on HBOs weekly program was good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted May 13, 2004 Why would CBS consider hiring Neal O'Donell? They already have Boomer Esiasion and former Dolphin VP Dan Marino. Two QB's not enough? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted May 14, 2004 I actually liked Deion, so this sucks. He gave life and energy to that insanely dull bunch at CBS. He's far better than that barking dog Irvin. If people thought Deion was annoying, they haven't seen anything if Shannon Sharpe is the replacement. I get an Irvin vibe from Shannon Sharpe as analyst. Speaking of Sharpe, does anyone know what Sterling is up to? I always liked him as analyst and then he disappeared. Why the fuck is Terry Bradshaw making 2.5 mill? If that dumbass makes that much Deion deserved every penny he asked for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
