Following in the footsteps of Mike Pereira and Steve Javie — and Mendy Rudolph before them — another referee is making the leap to television.
Former NFL referee Gerry Austin has joined “Monday Night Football” as a ‘rules consultant,’ ESPN announced Wednesday. Austin will be on-site at each week’s game, joining the broadcast team of Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden “when situations warrant” (ESPN, 9/5).
Austin is just the latest referee to make the transition to television.
Fox Sports started the trend by adding former NFL VP/officials Mike Pereira as a rules analyst for NFL games in 2010. In June of this year, ESPN acquired the services of former NBA referee Steve Javie for coverage of the NBA Finals, reports Sports Media Watch.