Kiper out on ESPN

**RamWraith** · #1 (**permalink**) -15-10-2004

http://www.gbnreport.com/
October 15
(10:00 AM): Draft world shake up: Kiper on outs at ESPN... According to sources at ESPN, the cable network will not be renewing the contract of long-time draft guru Mel Kiper after a 22-year run. According to the source, Kiper would not agree to extend certain standard non-monetary provisions of his contract. For his part, Kiper is being quoted as saying he was unaware of any final decison and that talks are on-going. Kiper, who along with the late Joel Buschbaum was the original draft guru, though, has been downplayed at ESPN since the beginning of the season. For example, his name has been replaced on the banner of featured ESPN NFL columnists by Scouts, Inc. for weeks now. While he had his detractors, no one was more instrumental than Kiper with his no-nonsense approach, 'tell me what you really think' observations, and slightly ridiculous hair, in elevating the draft from a curiosity among sports fans to perhaps the single most popular non-sporting sporting event out there today.

**Nick** · #2 (**permalink**) -16-10-2004

Ugh, this means more time for Berman on draft day.

**AvengerRam** · #3 (**permalink**) -16-10-2004

Kiper is the best draft expert, bar none. Sure, he's wrong a lot, and his demeanor can be overbearing, but nobody has more information on prospects than Mel. Who are they going to use instead...? Sean Salisbury??? Please!

*viper* · #4 (**permalink**) -16-10-2004

Surely, he will resurface somewhere.

("Please don't call me Shirley." Anyone remember where that came from?)

**AvengerRam** · #5 (**permalink**) -16-10-2004

Airplane! (of course)

Guess I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

*viper* · #6 (**permalink**) -16-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvengerRam

Guess I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

LOL...probably so!

**Nick** · #7 (**permalink**) -16-10-2004

I'm sure Fox Sports will offer him millions of dollars and a third-world nation to come to their network for draft coverage.

**HUbison** · #8 (**permalink**) -18-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by AvengerRam

Airplane! (of course)

Guess I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

Hospital?!?! What is it?!

It's a big building with sick people and doctors, but that's not important right now.

**HUbison** · #9 (**permalink**) -18-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickSeiler

I'm sure Fox Sports will offer him millions of dollars and a third-world nation to come to their network for draft coverage.

Honestly, I hope you're right. I'd rather watch Jim Brown and Mel Kiper than Chris Berman and Mel Kiper.

**AvengerRam** · #10 (**permalink**) -18-10-2004

I'd rather watch Paul Reubens and Mel Kiper than Chris Berman and Mel Kiper.

*DJRamFan* · #11 (**permalink**) -18-10-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickSeiler

I'm sure Fox Sports will offer him millions of dollars and a third-world nation to come to their network for draft coverage.

Good, ESPN has started to irritate me. Sure Kiper was wrong at times, but so have the 32 NFL teams - the draft is basically a crapshoot. He's the most knowledgeable out there.