ESPN to expand Manningcast to other sports in new deal
The Manningcast is here to stay.
Omaha Productions signed a new deal with Disney, paving the way for Peyton and Eli Manning to do alternative broadcasts for UFC, golf and other events, ESPN announced Wednesday. The new contract also goes through 2024 — one more year than the original deal.
The Mannings had quite a year doing the “Manningcast” for Monday Night Football games on ESPN2, providing their insight and analysis while interviewing big-name guests.
“I’ve always loved talking football with my brother, and it was even more fun to do it while watching ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Football,” Peyton Manning said in a statement. “Eli and I are excited to sign on for another season, and the entire Omaha team is looking forward to producing MegaCasts that celebrate other sports.”
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This year was the first for the Manningcast on ESPN2 as a sidecast for the main NFL broadcasts. The Mannings did eight games this year and averaged 1.58 million viewers. The Mannings interviewed guests ranging from Charles Barkley to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to Snoop Dogg.
“We couldn’t be more proud of ‘Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli’ and the partnership we’ve developed with Peyton, Eli and the team at Omaha Productions,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “This new agreement allows us to deepen our relationship and explore original concepts to spread that magic to other sports and events. Ultimately, this will help grow our audience by providing fans with even more creative options that they crave.”
Peyton Manning, a Hall of Famer, played 18 years in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion and was seen as a potential analyst after his retirement. Eli Manning played 16 seasons for the New York Giants and also won two Super Bowls. The Giants retired his No. 10 in September 2021.
During the broadcasts, Eli was known for his jabs at Peyton. The jokes went viral on social media and became staples of the show. He acknowledged them in an email to Variety on Wednesday.
“The Monday Night Football show was a great way to stay close to the game I love,” Eli Manning said. “It was a real pleasure working with my brother, the folks at Omaha and ESPN and I’m excited that we’re going to get an extra season to find new ways to make fun of Peyton.”