Yes, Deion Sanders has left NFL Network. According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, the decision resulted from the inability of Sanders and the league-owned TV operation to come to terms on a new deal after Sanders’ contract had expired.
Per Marchand, NFLN wanted Deion to take a pay cut.
John Ourand of Sports Business Daily had reported that Sanders previously agreed to a new deal, but then decided to leave the network.
“Deion has been one of the key figures responsible for the growth of the NFL Network,” NFL Network said in a statement. “We thank him for his work and wish him the best in the future.”
It’s not the first time Deion has left a network gig over money. More than 16 years ago, he walked away from The NFL Today on CBS after the network reportedly refused to double his salary from $1 million to $2 million. CBS replaced Sanders with Shannon Sharpe.
Then, Deion emerged from a three-season retirement to spend two years with the Ravens. This time around, he may try to get into coaching at the college level. He tried, unsuccessfully, to make himself into a serious candidate for the Florida State job in January. He later vowed that, come 2021, he’ll be a head coach at the college level.