Super Bowl LX is underway, and fans from all across the globe are tuning in to the broadcast networks to catch the coverage. However, the ongoing season will change a major dynamic of how the major event was covered across all these years. Decisions were recently made regarding a new merger between the NFL Network and ESPN, announcing that the league-owned network will now collaborate with the media giant. While this turns out to be a major change within itself, the NFL Gameday Morning desk features Kurt Warner and co. Joining hands together for an emotional farewell.

“I requested this personally because everybody knows the merger has happened,” Gerald McCoy began. “It’s public knowledge of what could and may happen with all of us. And I want to say first to the ladies, thank you all for keeping me on my P’s and Q’s with my dress code and making sure I’m showing up properly.”

The NFL, ESPN, and Disney officially finished the major business deal just days ago, allowing ESPN to take control of the NFL Network. The media giant will also be allowed to sell NFL RedZone to cable and satellite TV companies. At the same time, the NFL will receive a 10% ownership share in ESPN. That share is worth several billion dollars. The agreement took almost six months to finalize. It needed approval from the U.S. government, including the Department of Justice. That approval has now been given.

ESPN will also take over the NFL’s fantasy football business. It will combine those fantasy games with ESPN’s current fantasy products. The full transfer of the NFL Network will not happen right away. It is expected to be completed in April. Employees who currently work for NFL Media on the network will become ESPN employees.

Both companies said they will slowly move NFL staff into ESPN over the next few months. They also said fans should expect more NFL shows, easier access to NFL Network, better fantasy football tools, and stronger coverage of the league.

“With the closing, we will begin integrating NFL employees into ESPN in the months ahead,” ESPN and the NFL conveyed together. “As we look to the future, NFL fans can look forward to expanded NFL programming, greater access to NFL Network, innovative fantasy experiences, and unparalleled coverage of America’s most popular sport.”

NFL Network started in 2003. It now reaches close to 50 million subscribers. The channel will be added to ESPN’s streaming service, which launched last summer. With the deal now finalised, ESPN will air 28 NFL games each season. This is the most NFL games ESPN has ever shown. Three of those games previously aired only on NFL Network.

Gerald McCoy pays emotional tribute to Kurt Warner during the farewell speech

The update was closely discussed among the panel of NFL legends, and Gerand McCoy made the most out of this opportunity. Taking charge of the addressing, he turned towards Kurt Warner to highlight how the legendary quarterback’s presence taught him a major life lesson. According to him, Warner guided him on the professional side of things and also credited him for holding the current position.

Kurt, man, a person who stands on what they believe, regardless of what everybody else is saying, I learned that from you,” McCoysaid. “You will not waver if you believe in it. And you taught me how to be myself on this set. I know it wasn’t easy. I know it was not easy because that’s a family. But you all accepted me in as family. So, regardless of what happens, you all are my family. We are not coworkers. We are family. I love everybody in NFL Network, but you three for sure, I know how hard it was. So it means, seriously, thank you so much. I appreciate it,” McCoy finished.”

Gerald McCoy joined NFL GameDay Morning as an on-air analyst in September 2023 after retiring from playing football earlier that year. He appears on the show every Sunday during the NFL season and gives his views on games, teams, and players. Before this, McCoy was a six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle in the NFL, mainly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. People like hearing his insight because he played the game at a high level and shares real player experiences on air. Now, with the network moving towards ESPN, it still remains to be seen if ESPN brings back the same squad that the fans loved