NFL Network Debuts New Broadcast Team; Gus Johnson Leaves CBS

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Posted May 5th, 2011 at 6:15 pm

Gus Johnson will remain the play-by-play announcer for Madden NFL 12 but his departure from CBS, which was announced today, raises questions going forward. Reports are that he is done with college basketball and presumably MMA events and his other options are getting more limited. It is being rumored he is now in talks with Fox Sports to cover college football.

What makes this all the more interesting is NFL Network revealing today their new broadcast team of Brad Nessler doing play-by-play with Mike Mayock on color in a two man booth. Last year it was the reliable Bob Papa and the insufferable Matt Millen and Joe Theismann calling for the network. Needless to say a significant upgrade for NFLN broadcasts.

Nessler will retain his duties doing college football games for ESPN which means he could stay on with the NCAA Football series. Johnson had auditioned for the play-by-play role with NFLN which would have made his ties to Madden even more relevant had he gotten the job. His popularity amongst the younger crowd would make it seem a safe bet that he would remain on with Madden in the near term, but if he were to become associated primarily with college football eventually a switch by EA Sports would have to be made.

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