We have some encouraging news for all the people that have responded to our post this morning about the possible demise of the long-running NFL Matchup show.
“We are having ongoing conversations with ESPN,” an NFL Films spokesperson tells PFT. “We are optimistic that the show will continue.”
SI’s Peter King wrote that the NFL is no longer looking for sponsors for the show, so it’s up to ESPN to save it. King wrote ESPN would own and operate the show if it took the challenge.
Giants VP of communications Pat Hanlon put the show’s importance in perspective on Twitter Monday, calling it the best football show on television. “It’s about the game,” he wrote.
Another NFL Films property, Inside the NFL, was in trouble in 2008 when HBO decided not to renew the show. But the program landed on Showtime.
Hopefully the story of NFL Matchup has a similarly happy ending.