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© St. Petersburg Times, published March 1, 2002
Even through his 21-year partnership with Pat Summerall, in the back of his mind, NFL analyst John Madden always hoped he would get a chance to join Monday Night Football. Wednesday, while he was making the two-hour drive from Carmel, Calif., to his home in Pleasanton, the chance suddenly presented itself.
Fox would allow Madden and his agent to negotiate with ABC even though he had a year left on his contract. By the time he pulled into his driveway, the deal was done save for a few formalities.
ABC announced Thursday that Madden would join play-by-play man Al Michaels in a two-man booth, leaving no room for analysts Dan Fouts or Dennis Miller. The network also announced sideline reporter Eric Dickerson is out, though Melissa Stark will return.
"It came so quickly I'm numb. But even through the numbness, I realize how lucky I am," Madden said Thursday. "I think every broadcaster who has ever done a football game in their life would like to have an opportunity to be a part of Monday Night Football. I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world, and right now, I'm the happiest guy in the world.
"(My mother) called me about five minutes before the start (of the conference call), and she said ... "Congratulations, you have the ultimate job in broadcasting.' "
It was the second massive overhaul of Monday Night Football in two years, but ABC Sports president Howard Katz said despite declining ratings, the moves were made because of opportunity, not desperation. Had Madden, 65, not been available, he said Fouts and Miller would have returned.
"The clear story here is when John Madden is available and you can get him, you make the move," Katz said.
Summerall announced his retirement shortly before the end of the season, and Madden decided if he was going to have a new partner, it ought to be Michaels, who, like Madden, is widely regarded as the best in his profession. Early this week, Madden's agent, Sandy Montag, asked Fox to allow Madden out of his contract, which would have paid him a reported $7.5-million next year. Madden's four-year deal with ABC will pay him about $5-million a year, the Associated Press reported.
"Everything kind of lined up for this to happen now," Madden said. "This isn't about money. It was something I wanted to be a part of. I want to be a part of Monday Night Football as long as I broadcast."
Fouts is expected to remain with ABC as a college football analyst, his role before joining MNF. Katz said while he was very happy with Fouts' work, keeping him as part of a three-man booth would not have been smart.
"For John to do what he does well, he needs room," Katz said.
While there is no place for Mil-ler at the network, there were only kind words for perhaps the show's most controversial hire. "I will always leave the door open for any time he has an idea," Katz said. "I think the world of him."
Added Michaels: "(Fouts and Miller) put their heart and soul into the show and did everything they could to make it better. It was a great experiment that we tried a couple of years ago, and I think it absolutely succeeded."
On some level, perhaps, but in both seasons, MNF ratings sunk. After hitting an all-time low in 2000, ratings declined another 9 percent last season to an average of 11.5 (one ratings points equals 1 percent of U.S. households with television). Katz said he is expecting immediate improvement.
Madden said he will miss calling the NFC Championships and Thanksgiving Day games, but there will be a consolation prize his first season. ABC will air the 2003 Super Bowl. It will be Madden's ninth.
Michaels said he can't wait.
"John Madden for the last 21 years has set the gold standard for football analysts," Michaels said. "I talked to John (on Wednesday) night, and I think we are of one mind wishing this season would start tomorrow."