SN exclusive: Ray Lewis joining Fox, FS1 as NFL TV analyst
Ray Lewis is joining Fox Sports as an NFL analyst, sources tell Sporting News.
The two-time Super Bowl champion with Ravens will analyze the league for both Fox Sports and the FS1 cable network.
Fox declined to comment. Lewis, a 13-time Pro Bowler, was expected to announce the move during a Tuesday appearance on FS1's "Undisputed" with Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe and Joy Taylor.
Lewis is expected to appear on FS1's Los Angeles-based studio shows: "Undisputed" (9:30 a.m. ET); "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" (noon ET); and "Speak for Yourself," with Cowherd, Jason Whitlock and Jason McIntyre (5 p.m. ET).
Lewis also is expected to show up frequently on FS1's first ever national morning show, "First Things First" with Cris Carter and Nick Wright. That new show will premiere from New York in time for the 2017 NFL season on Sep. 5 (6 a.m. ET).
Lewis will be the latest former ESPNer to join Fox, following Bayless, Cowherd, Whitlock, Carter and sideline reporter Erin Andrews.
The Ravens linebacker had a rocky three-year TV stint with ESPN following his retirement in 2013. Hired with great fanfare, Lewis was given prominent roles on "Monday Night Countdown," "SportsCenter" and other shows.
But Lewis never seemed comfortable at ESPN. He and Carter were let go by ESPN during a TV talent shakeup in 2016.
ESPN and Fox continue to duel for TV talent. ESPN has re-signed college football analyst Jesse Palmer, whom Fox tried to hire as an NFL game analyst. Palmer chose to stay with ESPN, where he's expected to move back into the studio for Saturday college football coverage this season. He also has a separate deal with sister Disney network's ABC's "Good Morning America."
