ESPN signs Desmond Howard to multi-year extension

Jeff Hauser

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ESPN signs Desmond Howard to multi-year extension image

Desmond Howard has signed a new multi-year extension with ESPN, extending his tenure into a third decade with the network. 

The former Heisman winner has been a fixture on College GameDay since 2005. Howard will continue his role as analyst on the award-winning college football pregame show, in addition to ESPN’s College Football Playoff studio programming, ABC’s NFL Draft coverage, and the annual Heisman Trophy Presentation.

He begins his 21st season with GameDay and is one of the longest-serving contributors to ESPN’s college football coverage. Howard remains with host Rece Davis alongside analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Pat McAfee, and Nick Saban. The crew returns Aug. 30 in Columbus, Ohio for a high-profile season opener featuring No. 1 Texas and No. 3 Ohio State.

Howard expressed his enthusiasm about continuing with ESPN, saying, “There’s nothing I’d rather be doing during the fall than showcasing the incredible sport that we all love alongside my College GameDay family.” 

ESPN President of Content Burke Magnus added, “Desmond has played a pivotal role in ESPN and College GameDay’s success for two decades, so we’re thrilled he’ll continue to bring his expertise, perspective, and personality to our coverage.”

Howard’s broadcasting career followed an 11-year NFL run, highlighted by his Super Bowl MVP performance for the Green Bay Packers in 1997, when his 99-yard kickoff return sealed the championship. 

At Michigan, he became one of college football’s most celebrated wide receivers, capturing the Heisman Trophy in 1991 with 85 percent of the vote. His legacy has since been honored with numerous hall of fame inductions, including the College Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

With Howard returning, ESPN secures one of its most recognizable talents with Lee Corso retiring.

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Jeff Hauser

Jeff Hauser is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has over twenty years of experience and is a two-time Emmy Award winner, Heisman Trophy and Biletnikoff Award voter. Among the events he has covered are the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, World Series, World Cup, and WBC Boxing. Hauser is a regular guest on FOX Sports and ESPN Radio. He previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, SB Nation and Athlon Sports.