ESPN Re-Signs NFL Experts Adam Schefter, John Clayton, Mel Kiper, Jr., and Ed Werder
ESPN has signed four of its top National Football League experts and most visible on-air personalities to multi-year contract extensions: insider Adam Schefter, senior writer John Clayton, NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, Jr., and reporter Ed Werder.
“Adam, John, Mel and Ed are at the forefront of how we cover the NFL every day of the year across multiple networks and platforms,” said Mark Gross, ESPN senior vice president and executive producer, production. “Their knowledge and expertise is a big reason why fans turn to ESPN, and these new deals ensure that fans can look forward to seeing and hearing much more from them in the years ahead.”
Schefter is one of pro football’s leading insiders who regularly breaks top news stories. He joined ESPN in August 2009 and appears on Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, SportsCenter, NFL Live and other programs throughout the year in addition to contributing regularly to ESPN.com and ESPN Radio. He has also established aTwitter following of more than 1.6 million.
Clayton joined ESPN in August 1995 as a senior NFL writer and commentator. He is seen, heard and read across multiple platforms. A regular contributor to the company’s NFL coverage on television, including his “Inside the Huddle” segments on SportsCenterand NFL Live, he also writes for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine and frequently contributes to ESPN Radio, including co-hosting the annual NFL Draft broadcast and his own show on ESPN Radio Seattle. He was the recipient of the 2007 Dick McCann Memorial Award for distinguished service as voted on by the Pro Football Writers of America.
Kiper has served as expert analyst for ESPN’s annual NFL Draft coverage since 1984, providing in-depth scouting information on the nation’s most talented collegiate football players. His work appears on television – including SportsCenter and ESPN’s NFL shows – as well as in ESPN The Magazine and on ESPN.com. Kiper is also a frequent contributor to ESPN Radio as an analyst for College GameDay on ESPN Radio and co-host of the Dari and Mel weekend show.
Werder has served as ESPN’s Dallas-based bureau reporter since September 1998. As part of his new deal, Werder will expand his responsibilities beyond on-air NFL reporting – most notably on the Dallas Cowboys – for Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, SportsCenter and other programs to include an insider role. With Clayton, Schefter and Chris Mortensen, the addition of Werder to the insider ranks gives ESPN four of the league’s most respected sources of league-wide NFL news and information.