For three decades now, Kirk Herbstreit has seen the sports media develop in front of his eyes. However, he hasn’t agreed with every evolutionary milestone. For one, he dislikes one change to the point that he admitted just calling it a day if he ever had to do it.

“I watch some of these shows on various networks, especially the NFL shows, and it drives me crazy where our industry has gone,” Herbstreit expressed his frustration at The Inner Circle Podcast. “And politics are obviously this way, too, but it’s a lot of clickbait. It’s a lot of like really loud comments that will maybe go viral. ‘I might not believe in it, but it’s gonna go viral, and people are going to know who I am.’ Man, I will quit before I ever do that. Like, if that’s what it takes to make it, I would never do this.”

Thoughtful analysis over virality has been a cornerstone of what Herbstreit has always loved about sports media. However, from a business standpoint, analysis can only go so far. With developing user interactions, debate-first strategies became the focus. In fact, the platform that the 56-year-old works for itself became the foundation of what Herbstreit loathes.

Case in point, ESPN’s First Take. The media brand realized that conflict-driven shows draw more ratings. Pardon the Interruption and Around the Horn were its first attempts. Later, with Stephen A. Smith, First Take perfected the task. Who can forget ESPN’s three-episode series, Up for Debate, to show the evolution of sports media through the destabilization of legacy media?

Once ESPN saw the formula worked, it scaled the approach across its programming, including Get Up. Then there’s Fox Sports’ The Odd Couple podcast, which also thrives on views from its two polar opposite hosts to spark fan interaction.

According to Herbstreit, that model spread quickly across networks, rewarding volume, outrage, and virality over thoughtful analysis. And while he understands why it works, he made his stance clear: he would rather walk away than participate in that style of television.

But that, nevertheless, begs the question: how did this change come to be? Engagement with news for modern consumers has shifted from casual cooler discussion to heated arguments. Just take the example of Micah Parsons’ situation with the Dallas Cowboys before he left for Green Bay. The debates around the topic lasted much longer than the trade itself. Another instance would be any controversial call by a referee during a game. The science behind it is simple: the intellectual stimulation, social connection, and emotional validation that comes from engaging in spirited discourse simply doesn’t get addressed by plain reporting.

And doesn’t Herbstreit’s College GameDay not follow a similar pattern?

“On GameDay, we don’t do that. Again, Pat [McAfee’s] crazy and fun, but we make it about the players, we make it about the coaches, and we make it about the storylines. We really don’t make it about us. But I’m lucky. I kind of live on an island where we’re allowed to still talk ball and still just have fun talking about ball.”

And that’s where the tension sits. Herbstreit sees his corner of the industry as insulated. But the reality is that the island he describes exists inside the same company that built and monetized the debate-show ecosystem he’s criticizing. So, while his critique is understandable, it’s also ironic.

The only difference that is hard to argue is that Kirk Herbstreit believes his approach is fundamentally different from everyone else: Analysis rather than clickbait. And he’d rather walk away than become a part of the latter.

Meanwhile, the sportscaster is also preparing for a big gig as the announcer for an NFL Christmas Day matchup.

Kirk Herbstreit to announce the Chiefs vs Broncos

The 2025 NFL Christmas Day slate is stacked with three divisional matchups. It starts with the Dallas Cowboys visiting the Washington Commanders, followed by the Detroit Lions heading to face the Minnesota Vikings. The nightcap then features the Denver Broncos at the Kansas City Chiefs. The first two games will stream on Netflix, while Chiefs vs. Broncos will air on Amazon Prime Video.

For that finale, Kirk Herbstreit will be on the call alongside play-by-play announcer Al Michaels and sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung. Terry McAulay will handle rules analysis, while the pregame show features host Charissa Thompson with analysts Andrew Whitworth, Richard Sherman, Tony Gonzalez, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET / 5:15 p.m. PT.

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The Broncos enter as clear favorites, and the logic is simple: Kansas City is officially out of the playoff race and does not have Patrick Mahomes with them. The pressure is high as well since Denver is still pushing to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed and secure a first-round bye.

Factoring in the multiple injuries on the Chiefs’ roster makes the matchup look steep, if not potentially one-sided. Still, it’s Christmas night football. How it actually plays out is something everyone will be watching closely. As for the veteran sportscaster, he will continue to be a part of ESPN, but don’t expect to see Kirk Herbstreit arguing on First Take anytime soon. But Stephen A. Smith had an answer long before Herbstreit raised his concern:

“We are here doing what we do. If they don’t like it, get over it,” Stephen A. said on the ESPN+ docuseries.