FOX To Consider Hiring Sean Payton For 2012 NFL Season

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton will have his one-year suspension from the league begin on April 1st, but that may not prevent Payton from being involved in the game for the upcoming season.

From a report in the New York Times, NFL broadcasting partner FOX is considering hiring Payton as an analyst for the 2012 season.  CBS, ESPN, and NBC also considered hiring Payton, but ultimately decided against it. FOX has confirmed their interest in Payton.

“Our feeling about Sean is that he’s bright, articulate and obviously contemporary,” said FOX senior vice president of communications Lou D’Ermilio.  “Any network with NFL rights would have to consider it.”

One may wonder how Payton could work as a NFL analyst while being suspended from the league, but the NFL cannot control whether he signs with a broadcasting partner — as long as it isn’t the NFL Network. The league has said they would have no issue with Payton pursuing his options.

“He is suspended from the NFL for the season,” the NFL said.  “His involvement in any non-NFL employment or business matters is not our decision.”

While working for FOX for the 2012 season would come close to paying out the $7 million Payton is losing out on during his suspension, it would give him a way to continue being involved with the game he loves during his harsh punishment. Payton is one of the sports brightest minds and he would do a brilliant job for FOX.

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