Mike McCarthy of USA TODAY reports this week that Erin Andrews‘ contract with ESPN is up in July so she’s now in the process of negotiating a new deal with the network.
(Does She Look Afraid Of Media Spotlight To You?)
Considering the level of celebrity Andrews has achieved in the past year, and her previous, stated interest in entertainment media, her comments to McCarthy about wanting to stay at ESPN were surprising. But given ESPN’s apparent support of her through her stalker ordeal, I suppose her loyalty isn’t altogether unexpected.
Though from polling entertainment execs and ESPN sources this morning, I found that Andrews could easily double or even triple her current, low-to-mid six-figure salary with the sports network. Not to mention maintain and grow the mainstream celebrity that she now seemingly embraces.
With that increased public attention, who knows how far Andrews could go with her career. With her look, talent and current top-of-mind, she could easily be raking in millions as the hottest new name in the showbiz press.
There’s also precedent for a potential Andrews move, with former ESPN personality Kevin Frazier now an Entertainment Tonight weekend host and weekday correspondent. A CBS source told me today that Frazier is making considerably more money on ET than he was in Bristol.
One entertainment media source added to me this week that Andrews could “name her price and go wherever she wants.”
So where exactly might Andrews lands if she goes the entertainment route? There’s some possibilities that come to mind almost immediately.
NBC’s Access Hollywood currently has an anchor opening thanks to the recent departure of Nancy O’Dell. And with warhorse Mary Hart still somehow leading ET, perhaps former ESPNer Frazier could help CBS lure Andrews to the show. Though I’m told the presence of Samantha Harris may preclude any high profile personality from joining the ET on-air staff for now.
What about the possibility of Disney offering her a shot at some face time on GMA while she also attends to her current ESPN gig? Robin Roberts has already made the ESPN-GMA jump, and I can’t imagine Andrews not being a huge hit on the morning show.
Those are just a few of the broadcast opps that may await Andrews if she eschews ESPN. At the very least I would hope her agent would have the good sense to test the waters for some outside offers, if nothing else to get Andrews a well-deserved healthy raise from her notoriously stingy employer.
Some may say that Andrews continuing to seemingly embrace her low-profile role on ESPN is a response to wanting to stay out of the same media spotlight that perhaps spawned her stalker ordeal. But if that were the case, why is she currently appearing on Dancing With The Stars?
I believe that Andrews justifiably feels loyalty to ESPN after the network supported her through her unfortunate off-air situation, but should that loyalty extend to not entertaining offers from other outlets for her services?
If it doesn’t, Andrews will soon find out that her career pastures are considerably greener than being an Arkansas-Auburn broadcast afterthought on yet another random Saturday.
12:39 pm on March 30th, 2010
I find Erin highly over-rated, but now that Pam Ward, yummy!!!
12:58 pm on March 30th, 2010
come on, what could be better than covering any Arkansas game?
1:01 pm on March 30th, 2010
I agree, I think Erin Andrew is just media hype,
This site talks about her far too much, Ive NEVER heard a group of men talk about her AT ALL!!!, shes not that hot shes average at best.
great body, but you can find that body at any gym in southern california
I dont get the media desire to want the public to fawn over this average woman
1:18 pm on March 30th, 2010
She loves the attention, yes, the peephole video she loves, trust me.
1:21 pm on March 30th, 2010
I like average. I want average. That average Erin is all I need.
1:23 pm on March 30th, 2010
I second the motion with Anony. Over hyped for what? Not attractive at all and I can’t imagine the film shot of her was worth an Oscar calliber performance (or Vivid for that matter). And enough of the Tiger’s harem o’ ho’s as well.
What happened to talking about truly HOT babes associated with sports (S.I. models), true lovelies from sports (take your pick and choose your flavor) or the REAL reason men want to talk about hotties- BRING BACK THE BbB GIRLS! Now that’s HOT!
2:16 pm on March 30th, 2010
Why do you guys sweat her so much?? She’s BARELY attractive…and that’s being nice. Truth be told she looks like a buzzard/eagle/muppet/dragon with NO ASS AT ALL. Your site officially stalks this chick WAAAAY TOOO MUUUCH! Can you put some Lohan/Spears/Pink/Beyonce updates here too?” How are Brangelina doing?? OMG!! Spare me…Time to find a new one…
2:17 pm on March 30th, 2010
Paint her face green and she’s the Witch from The Wiz of Oz…
2:43 pm on March 30th, 2010
Wow, EA is very attractive and has a definite girl next door look. Take a look at your ugly wives again and you might think different ya bunch of haters.
3:33 pm on March 30th, 2010
You can’t tell me you look at her face in the pic above and say ” wow she is drop dead gorgeous” because she is AVERAGE looking and yes my wife is hotter i will find a picture and send it in and she is Erin’s age
3:45 pm on March 30th, 2010
She looks better than the sea monkey I married, Michelle!
4:34 pm on March 30th, 2010
@ you are all haters
maybe its because i live in southern calif, that I think she is average.
the hostess, and five waitresses at a chili’s I went to in irvine last night were far hotter than her, and the women there cant touch most west la, bentwood Malibu women.
she has a long nose, crooked smile a nasal pitched voice.
I will say shes in great shape and good hair
6:28 pm on March 30th, 2010
Did I miss the NC State part?
8:33 pm on March 30th, 2010
Since American Idol will be re-casting judges after this year. Book her to replace the current hostess, Ryan Seacrest.
10:23 pm on March 30th, 2010
Again, why all the overhype about this skanky overrated blonde???? She’s getting waaaaaaaay too much attention while the MUCH HOTTER AND MUCH MORE INTELLIGENT Bonnie Bernstein is getting short changed by “His Out of Control Egomaniacness” Michael Kay on ESPN Radio in New York. Bonnie EASILY deserves to return to the spotlight with a move back to NATIONAL sports TV.
I’m flat out sick of this average looking skank, PERIOD!!!!
8:43 am on March 31st, 2010
she is very typical looking. Standard blue-eyed blonde. But that is what America loves so it would be less than a surprise to see her get big dollars.
Brooks you’re 100% right she clearly has aspirations beyond sideline reporting for NCAA foosball. DWTS is no low profile gig.
8:58 am on March 31st, 2010
YIKES!!! What a rough bunch this morning. Why all this beat-up on Erin? For my nickle, Erin Andrews is the hottest thing this side of any microphone, ESPN’s or otherwise. She does her job well and has an enormous fan base. What else could a potential media mogul want in a girl? Give her the money, the car, the keys to your house. And do it now ESPN. Because if you don’t someobody else will.
1:12 pm on March 31st, 2010
It’s time for Erin Andrews to move onto Entertainment Tonight or Access Hollywood. Then Brooks can take his stalking of her to another level. lmao jk.
3:59 pm on March 31st, 2010
she definetly should NOT go to E!, however…that network is basically a tabloid on cable, and it’s “investigations” are jokes…
7:03 am on April 4th, 2010
Over the last couple years, she’s become a decent sports reporter. I don’t know that she has a feel for the West Coast stuff.
She’s worth more than the NFL-NBA league minumum. If she can get $1mm from the World Wide Leader for a little more work, that’s about right.