ESPN’s crew for “College GameDay” is officially set for the 2025 season.
We already knew that the mainstays like Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and others would return. However, until Sunday, the show’s host was up in the air. Rece Davis, who has been hosting “College GameDay” since Chris Fowler stepped aside, had been pursued by some other networks, including Fox Sports.
Fox Sports’ “Big Noon Kickoff” was going after Davis, 59, to host their own pregame show. However, Davis and ESPN have come to a decision.
He’ll be sticking around.
Ric Tapia/Getty Images
The Athletic first reported the news on Sunday morning, as Davis is staying put at ESPN.
Fox Sports reportedly made an “an all-out effort to swipe Davis,” according to a report from Andrew Marchand. Fox Sports wanted Davis to host “Big Noon Kickoff” and become one of the faces of the network.
However, Davis has signed a new seven-year deal for tens of millions of dollars according to The Athletic, according to sources briefed on the deal, per The Athletic.
It sounds like the entire “College GameDay” crew will be back.
Ric Tapia/Getty Images
Lee Corso is expected back, too.
ESPN president Burke Magnus told Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina that Corso will be back and they’re taking things year by year.
“I think we’re going to do what we’ve done now for a couple years running, which is we’re gonna have a conversation with him after the season and see where things are,” Magnus said. “You know, he’s a special guy. I mean, he’s one of the nicest men you or any of your listeners or anybody on Earth could ever come across. And he’s been absolutely iconic on the show. So we’re going to get through the playoff this year, let everybody decompress, and then we’ll have some time to figure out what we’re going to do for next season.”
ESPN’s “College GameDay” put up huge numbers in 2024, setting some records throughout the season, so it makes sense that things will remain as they are cast-wise heading into the 2025 regular season.
