RockyMountainSaint

FOX considers hiring Sean Payton | ProFootballTalk

From April 1 through the day after Super Bowl XLVII, Saints coach Sean Payton will be suspended from the NFL. But he may find employment for the season with one of the league’s broadcast partners.

Judy Battista of the New York Times reports that FOX is considering hiring Payton.

“Our feeling about Sean is that he’s bright, articulate and obviously contemporary,” FOX senior vice president for communications Lou D’Ermilio told Battista. “Any network with NFL rights would have to consider it.”

According to Battista, the other apparently have considered it — and they have decided against it. Representatives of CBS, ESPN, and NBC each said that Payton would not be hired.

The league, which under former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue notoriously pressured ESPN into dropping the fictional football show Playmakers, says it has no problem with Payton working for one of the networks.

“He is suspended from the NFL for the season,” the NFL said in a statement. “His involvement in any non-NFL employment or business matters is not our decision.”

It’s the right position for the league to take, and it’s good to see that the NFL isn’t so intent on enforcing its suspension that it would keep Payton from finding other ways to occupy his time and earn a living, even if it means that Payton will be part of the televised presentation of NFL games.

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alleycat_126

Being that FOX is a different entity than the NFL it would be a totally leagal hire, it might not rub the NFL the right way but who gives a S$%t

CharityMike

How cool would it be to have Coach P commentate our Sunday games!! I know it would be better to have him on the sideline but at least this way, we could get some good insight!

AlaskaSaints

Put him in the FOX box. Get Pete Carmichael, or whomever, a video monitor. Coach provides commentary on how the Saints should approach the upcoming down. Carmichael, or whomever, makes adjustments and...

We've got our coach back!!!!!

Alaska

TheEnigma

I like it

Crusader

I see what you mean but that would just be too slow.

SloMotion

I like the idea, glad to see FOX doesn't feel the need to be politically correct and is willing to take advantage of the opportunity to have someone of Payton's caliber in the booth ... plus he basically gets to scout the competition & get paid for it ... the glass is half full.

lynwood

He may like that job better though. No stress,no Goodell,no player issues. I think some coaches that get into broadcasting don't come out because it's an easier good paying gig. SP would have charisma,youth, and expertise and would probably be very popular. Only thing that would derail this is if the other networks demonize it.

saintfan

I would love this. The NFL's scapegoat, live and in the NFL's face every week. Eat a turd Goodell. Please do this Fox!

B005TED

^^ this.