What will Bill do in 2024?
Over their legendary careers, Manning versus Brady was the biggest rivalry for a generation. Brady won more, in part, because he had Belichick on his side.
Now, as Brady and Manning have their second act in media, it is Manning attempting to team up with Belichick.
Peyton Manning is pursuing Bill Belichick in an effort to sign the longtime
New England Patriots head coach with Omaha Productions, Manning’s entertainment company, officials briefed on the plans told
The Athletic.
Belichick famously teamed with quarterback
Tom Brady to be a nemesis to Manning, the Hall of Fame Indianapolis Colts and
Denver Broncos quarterback, in a rivalry that spanned 15 years in the early 2000s. Manning hopes to bring Belichick into his company, which has partnerships with many big-name athletes, including David Ortiz, Sue Bird and Manning’s brother, Eli.
A Belichick-Manning collaboration is one of many options that Belichick, considered by many the greatest
NFL coach of all time, has on the table after being on the sidelines for nearly five decades.
He parted ways with the Patriots in January after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles in New England.
If Manning were to sign Belichick, the idea of teaming with ESPN to create a Belichick and Nick Saban “Manningcast” is expected to be broached, according to officials briefed on the plans. Saban, considered by many the greatest college football coach of all time,
joined ESPN’s “College GameDay” after retiring from Alabama. (ESPN/Omaha could call it the “GOAT Cast.”)
Belichick has yet to meet with ESPN, but ESPN is interested in Belichick. Omaha Productions and ESPN work closely together on “Monday Night Football” alt-casts, the Manning-hosted documentary “Peyton’s Places,” and satellite shows.
Belichick has met with CBS and NBC executives, according to sources with direct knowledge of the get-togethers. CBS and NBC are both considering adding new analysts to their studio shows. The just-retired
Jason Kelce is
high on both networks’ lists.
In meetings, Belichick has made it known he is uninterested in being part of a weekly Sunday studio show, according to officials with knowledge of his thinking.
Networks are also a bit hesitant to offer a spot on a desk because of the strong belief that Belichick, who turns 72 next month, wants to return to the sidelines to pursue Don Shula’s record for all-time wins. Belichick is 14 behind Shula’s 347 regular- and postseason head-coaching victories.
Belichick has made it clear he only wishes to talk about aspects of football that interest him, but this is, of course, a two-way street. Networks and platforms will only pay him the millions if they see a financially viable package. Pat McAfee, who has signed the likes of
Aaron Rodgers and Saban for seven-figure appearance fees, has said publicly that he will make a run at signing Belichick for his show, which is broadcast on ESPN and streamed on YouTube.
Belichick previously worked with NFL Films and NFL Network on its “NFL 100 All-Time Team” series, which highlighted the top players in the sport’s history. Belichick won a Sports Emmy in 2021 for his analysis, which was open and insightful. The idea of working with NFL Films again in partnership with other platforms is an idea that could be considered, as those with knowledge of Belichick’s thinking said he enjoyed the experience of working with that group.
All networks will take a meeting with Belichick, if he wants one. Fox, in a Super Bowl year, would be an interesting choice, but it has a full set with Brady scheduled to be in the No. 1 booth this upcoming year. Fox is already Patriot-heavy with Brady,
Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman, but that has not stopped networks before. While it is always big-game hunting, Fox is not looked upon as a favorite for Belichick.
With weekly appearances on a big Sunday studio show unlikely, a partnership with Manning is an intriguing possibility.
Peyton Manning is eyeing former rival Bill Belichick for a role with his Omaha Productions entertainment company, sources tell The Athletic.
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