Jesse Palmer has been one of the most familiar and recognizable faces for ESPN during the college football season. There was a worry he might not be with the company for much longer, but according to Sporting News he has signed a multiyear contract to stay with ESPN after a bidding war broke out with Fox Sports as his contract was about to expire next month.
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However, Palmer's role will change with the company. He will work out of their studio in New York where he lives and won't be out on the road calling games like he's been doing the last few years for SEC Network. He'll also be a special contributor for "Good Morning America" in addition to hosting a halftime and postgame show from the studio.
ESPN has gone through a ton of layoffs recently so it's a bit strange they would get into a bidding war with a competitor who some personalities have said aren't really a concern for them. That clearly speaks to the value of Palmer and what he brings to their telecasts and company, but ESPN paying him seven figures seems pretty steep considering the willingness to let so many other people go who were making considerably less.
Palmer has been with ESPN covering college football since 2007 and was in the NFL for five seasons before that. He played at Florida where he threw for 3,755 yards and 31 touchdowns under center.
[h/t Saturday Down South]
