Deion Sanders is leaving NFL Network after a decade

NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders has left NFL Network after nearly a decade on the Network.

Deion Sanders was one of the longest-tenured analysts on NFL Network. Sanders began at the Network in 2010 as part of their Thursday Night Kickoff pre-game show and then as a studio analyst in 2011.

This season, Sanders received a lot of criticism about his opinion on players opting-out due to the COVID-19 crisis, saying that, “no one is bigger than the game, and this is a business.” The specific reason he decided to leave the Network is unclear at this time.

He’d negotiated a new contract with the Network, but he ultimately decided to leave. Communications director Alex Riethmiller had nothing but praise for the legendary DB. Riethmiller praised Sanders, citing he was a critical factor in the growth of the Network.

So, why did Deion Sanders leave NFL Network?

While some have speculated Sanders is leaving for a competing network, there’s no evidence of that at this time. He began his career as an analyst at CBS. FS1 has wanted to bolster its profile with former players for their NFL-related shows.

In 2019, one of his shows, “21 & Prime,” was canceled due to cutbacks by the Network. During that time, some on-air talents took pay cuts, though it is unknown if Sanders was one of those asked to take a reduction in salary as well.

Sanders has made it known his aspirations to coach college football. Though he has little coaching experience, he was rumored to be a candidate when the Florida State coaching job opened. It ultimately went to former Memphis head coach Mike Norvell.

Sanders coached initially for Prime Prep Academy, a charter school he founded until its closing in 2015. After coaching at Prep Prime, he became offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian Cedar Hill Academy in 2017, where he coached his sons, both of whom are Division-I commits.