With FS1 recently undergoing significant lineup changes, Colin Cowherd stands as the clear face of the network and is expected to remain so for the foreseeable future. First reported by Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports, Cowherd is nearing a new contract, although it has yet to be finalized. His current deal expires in less than a month.
The long-time sports radio host joined FS1 nearly 10 years ago after leaving ESPN in 2015. Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe followed in 2016, becoming foundational figures for the network. However, with Sharpe’s departure in 2023 and Bayless leaving last summer, Cowherd remains the network’s foremost daytime sports personality, with The Herd airing on Fox Sports Radio and FS1. Although Nick Wright has risen to become a close second in recent years, even he acknowledges that Cowherd still holds that title.
While specifics of the reportedly imminent contract have not been disclosed, a significant change is anticipated as the 61-year-old sports host plans to split his time between Los Angeles and Chicago, his wife’s hometown. Cowherd may potentially host his show from the Big Ten Network studios while in Chicago, as he has often expressed that the city is his favorite, seeking a better work-life balance.
Despite the turmoil of lineup changes and a recent workplace misconduct lawsuit naming Skip Bayless, Joy Taylor, and network executive Charlie Dixon, Cowherd has remained a steadying presence for FS1; he was not named in the lawsuit. During his previous contract negotiations in 2020, Cowherd revealed he had discussions with ESPN about a possible reunion. Now, as his current contract comes to a close, speculation arose that he might relinquish his daily show to concentrate on business ventures, such as The Volume, the rapidly expanding podcast network he founded. Nevertheless, it appears FS1 is poised to retain their most crucial talent at a pivotal time for the network.
