Fox Sports is betting big on MLB analyst Alex Rodriguez.
the hollywood reporter has learned that the 14-time MLB star and World Series champion is nearing a contract extension with Fox Sports, a deal that, if completed, will keep him working big MLB games for Fox for years to come. years.
Rodriguez is a staple of Fox’s MLB on Fox’s studio team, working alongside host Kevin Burkhardt, 10-time All Star and three-time world champion David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), as well as 14-time All Star and 5-time world champion Derek Jeter, who previously played with Rodriguez on the New York Yankees.
Terms of Fox’s new deal were not immediately clear, though it is believed to be the most lucrative deal yet for an MLB analyst, with a term of more than three years.
Rodríguez currently pulls double duty: as an MLB studio analyst for Fox Sports and also for ESPN on its alternate broadcast “KayRod” for Sunday night baseball with Michael Kay. The Fox Sports deal in the works is said to be exclusive, meaning the current season will be the last on ESPN. Rodriguez joined ESPN Sunday night baseball team in 2018.
Rodríguez joined Fox Sports full-time as an analyst in 2017, after working on the playoffs for the network in 2015 and 2016.
Fox’s MLB study show is unusual not only for the on-field success of its analysts, but also for its personal relationships. Rodriguez and Ortiz have been close friends for years, and Rodriguez and Jeter have rekindled their friendship in recent years. Jeter joined Fox’s broadcast team earlier this year, and analysts hurled autographed baseballs to advertisers from the stage at Fox’s Upfront in May.
Fox has made an effort to tap into superstar athletes who also have broadcast chops to bolster the network’s sports coverage. In addition to Rodriguez, Jeter and Ortiz at their MLB games, the network has also signed Tom Brady to join its NFL broadcast booth starting next year. His NFL team includes former stars like Michael Strahan and Rob Gronkowski, while his World Cup soccer coverage includes American legend Alexi Lalas.
The network also crosses over its sports programming, bringing its MLB stars into some of its NFL coverage (Jeter made his Fox debut on Fox’s Super Bowl pregame show) and its NASCAR coverage.
Since retiring from MLB in 2016, Rodríguez has also become an active investor, including deals with real estate and technology firms. He also partnered with businessman Marc Lore to purchase the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA team. Rodriguez is represented by WME’s Jon Rosen.
