March 09--Mike Ditka is shifting roles at ESPN.
The former Bears coach is stepping away from being a regular analyst on ESPN's "Sunday NFL Countdown." Instead, Ditka signed a two-year extension to contribute to "SportsCenter," the network's flagship news program, beginning in September.
As part of the new agreement, Ditka will be appearing on air mainly on remotes from his homes in Chicago and Florida.
"This new role is really a blessing," Ditka said in a statement. "It's something I asked for. After many years of weekend travel, I'm thrilled I'll get to watch NFL games on Sundays and Monday nights in the comfort of my own home. I enjoy being part of the game and part of ESPN. I really do. So this is a great solution."
ESPN's senior coordinating producer of NFL studio shows Seth Markman talked with Ditka late last year about his role for next season. "Thankfully we were able to come to an agreement that works for him and keeps him a part of our ESPN family," Markman said in a statement.
In a December 2013 interview with the Tribune, Ditka discussed how the weekly grind of commuting to ESPN in Bristol, Conn. was taking a toll on him. Even back then, he wondered how much longer he would continue on "Sunday NFL Countdown."
"The work of being an analyst is not hard," Ditka said. "The hard part is getting there. If I had a way to get there instantly, on a private plane or something, it would be different. Going through the airports kind of gets old."
Sources said this move is not related to Ditka's recent comments on a radio show last week in which he ripped President Obama. Talks about changing his duties reportedly began during the Super Bowl.
ESPN would not confirm Ditka's status Wednesday. The network did announce that Matt Hasselbeck, who is retiring, will be an analyst on "Sunday NFL Countdown" next year.
