If this is the new “Mike,” she looks nothing like the old one.
The rumors of Charissa Thompson-to-ESPN are picking up steam after the Fox Sports personality announced Monday she would be leaving “Extra,” the syndicated TV show, after three years.
That’s one job that’s out of the way; ESPN only has to pry her from FS1 next.
The Worldwide Leader wants Thompson to be Mike Greenberg’s partner on the morning show he’s launching after “Mike & Mike [Golic]” split up in November, according to Sporting News. Thompson has been with Fox since leaving ESPN in 2013 and has been a steady presence on the network, primarily in football, in which she hosts “Fox NFL Kickoff” — a show that’s about to return with football season approaching.
There’s a tug of war forming around Thompson, whom FS1 does not seem eager to lose.
“Charissa is a highly valued member of the FOX Sports family and is an extremely talented broadcaster,” Fox Sports spokesman Eddie Motl told Sporting News last week, adding the network “absolutely” wants to keep her.
Thompson has not denied that an ESPN move is brewing. Dan Patrick asked her about the Bristol rumors all the way back in February — when, instead of for Greenberg’s show, she was a rumored target to replace Chris Berman on “Sunday NFL Countdown.
“Look, you never — no. No,” Thompson said. It was pointed out that she was offering a “non-denial denial,” and she tried to change the subject.
Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch both fueled and cooled the flames, reporting that Thompson and Greenberg have the same agent — and that he was hearing not to get too carried away in speculating.
Greenberg’s as-yet untitled show is set to debut Jan. 1, 2018, as a morning sports show on ESPN proper.
