Tom Brady can objectively say he is replacing the best in the business.
Greg Olsen, who will replace Brady next season as Fox Sports’ top NFL color commentator, took home the Sports Emmy for outstanding personality, event analyst on Tuesday despite his impending demotion. Olsen is expected to join Fox’s No. 2 team alongside Joe Davis after two years with Kevin Burkhardt on the top team.
In one of the most awkward messages you’ll see from a sports media PR account, Fox “proudly” congratulated Olsen on the honor.
Olsen defeated fellow nominees Troy Aikman, Cris Collinsworth, Bill Raftery, John Smoltz and Tom Verducci. It is the second Emmy in his career, after last year he won an outstanding personality: emerging on-air talent.
The former Pro Bowl tight end acknowledged the tough situation in his acceptance speech, hinting that he wasn’t entirely sure what the future held for him:
“I think a lot of people are wondering what I’m going to say next. When I come in tonight, people are asking me, ‘What is your biggest threat to your future in the company?’ and everyone says ‘Brady and this.’ I think it’s Andy from ‘Toy Story.’ I think if he gets to Collinsworth, Aikman, we’re dead.
“This is super cool. I don’t know what the future holds. All I know is that I like to talk about football. I like to talk about the ball. I like to study it. I like to see where the game goes. Wherever that takes me, whatever.” “That means I am now more involved in football.”
Olsen saw a sudden, unexpected rise in 2022, when ESPN poached top Fox duo Aikman and Joe Buck. It was never Fox’s plan for Olsen to take the reins after just one season alongside Burkhardt, and the network acted as such when it signed Brady to a 10-year, $375 million contract to become the new Aikman once he was ready with playing. .
In the two seasons between Brady’s deal and the expected start of his broadcast career, Olsen earned strong reviews, including in Super Bowl LVII. Brady didn’t deny the talent of the man he replaced earlier this year.
Olsen’s acceptance speech indicates he’ll be interested if a top analyst job opens up elsewhere, though there aren’t many openings these days with Brady at Fox, Aikman at ESPN, Collinsworth at NBC and Tony Romo at CBS.
