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NY Post
New York Post
24 May 2024


NextImg:Peter King rips ESPN for parting ways with Ed Werder: ‘Hard to fathom’

Peter King has Ed Werder’s back.

King, a legendary NFL writer now with NBC, ripped ESPN for parting ways with the longtime Cowboys reporter and his former Sports Illustrated teammate.

“Hard to fathom ESPN marginalizing one of its best reporters. Unless, of course, you don’t care about reporting,” King tweeted Friday morning. “Good luck to you, @WerderEdESPN.”

Peter King did not approve of ESPN’s decision. Getty Images

Werder announced his shocking split from ESPN on Thursday with a lengthy X post that made it clear he did not exit on his own accord.

The 64-year-old’s contract was expiring and not renewed, according to Pro Football Talk, and he’s getting a head start on trying to land his new gig.

This marked the second time ESPN and Werder split, with the network laying him off in 2017 before re-hiring him in 2019.

“For 26 years, I’ve had the privilege of reporting on the NFL and the Dallas Cowboys while holding an ESPN microphone,” Werder wrote. “But that time is coming to an end. I will immediately begin considering other opportunities to continue my work covering the NFL.”

King and Werder both worked for Sports Illustrated for several years, with King joining the magazine in 1989 and Werder’s ESPN bio stating he worked for the outlet from 1987-95.

They remained friends throughout the years, likely crossing paths at plenty of Cowboys games, and Werder complimented King earlier this year on X in a photo of the pair with the late Chris Mortensen.

Ed Werder was a staple of ESPN's Cowboys coverage.
Ed Werder was a staple of ESPN’s Cowboys coverage. AP

Both writers have won the Bill Nunn Jr. Award — then known as the Dick McCann Award — for their “long and distinguished contribution to pro football through coverage,” per the award’s site.

“The two greatest influences in my journalism career – ⁦@mortreport⁩ and ⁦@peter_king⁩ – have both now retired,” Werder wrote. “I could not be more grateful to have worked with both and to have friendships with two selfless men of integrity, exceptional reporters and storytellers.”

Mortensen, the third member of that respected trio, passed away in March at the age of 72.

That King would support a peer is not all that surprising, especially since ESPN has come under fire over the years as it has parted ways with respected talent while focusing on “hot take” shows.

Werder made it clear he believes he still has plenty to add to a potential future employer.

“While this marks the end of my partnership with ESPN, I expect to continue working because, as so many studio hosts have proclaimed – and I still devoutly believe – ‘Ed Werder has more,'” he posted.