Ed Werder was one of the many high-profile on-air people who was let go in the mass ESPN layoffs back in April. Like many, he’s been trying to find work, but he’s had to find ways around the language in his contract to get to where he wants to be. Former SportsCenter anchor Jaymee Sire got creative and went to Food Network to get around the non-compete clause in her ESPN buyout so she could continue working.
When he was with ESPN, Werder covered the NFL extensively, mostly embedded with the Dallas Cowboys. And while we haven’t seen Werder this summer, he’s going to be heard on Westwood One Radio during the NFL season working select games as a sideline reporter. He’ll begin in Week 1 working the late Monday Night Football game (Denver at Los Angeles Chargers) and he expressed his gratitude on Twitter to ESPN for allowing him to do so:
I appreciate @espn agreed to let me accept offer from @WestwoodOne to be sideline reporter for handful of games, starting Monday night DEN
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 6, 2017
I'm excited for this opportunity and fully engaged in making best contribution I can https://t.co/PXXAcm0CCi
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 6, 2017
My NFL 2017 plan: My suits get season off. Will do 5 games for @WestwoodOne #Doomsday podcast, Tues/Thurs hits on ESPN radio Dallas.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) September 6, 2017
Current and former ESPNers had positive reactions to Werder getting back in the game:
This is terrific news for a great person & friend. Look forward to your roaming the sidelines Ed! https://t.co/MxxH1zP6Pi
— Jade McCarthy (@JadeMcCarthy) September 6, 2017
https://twitter.com/wingoz/status/905255824087535617
I just now signed off on this too
Good luck @EdwerderRFA
Do your thing https://t.co/zltvicokd6
— Kenny Mayne (@Kenny_Mayne) September 6, 2017
Awful Announcing has learned that Werder had a deal to do some reporting for the Cowboys, but was unable to do so due to the language in his ESPN buyout. This irritated Werder, and others who were laid off were also annoyed at how they were treated by the Worldwide Leader.
We’ve seen former ESPNers who have gotten back to work in their respective fields, but some have chosen to wait for their non-competes to expire. In Werder’s case, he was able to get back to the NFL thanks to ESPN’s blessing. It will be good to once again hear the tidbits that only Werder can provide.
About Ken Fang
Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.
He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.
Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.