Colin Cowherd formally announced his move to Chicago this week, a big change for the FS1 star and his hit show The Herd.
After Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports reported Cowherd agreed to a new contract with Fox that will extend his run as the face of the network beyond a decade while splitting time between Los Angeles and Chicago, Cowherd confirmed the new digs Wednesday on The Colin Cowherd Podcast.
Cowherd explained that he and his wife Ann, an interior designer, have maintained an apartment in Chicago for years to enjoy the city lifestyle and visit Ann’s sister. It’s not just a family move, though, as the relocation puts Cowherd in proximity to the Big Ten Network offices. Conveniently, that will allow Cowherd to broadcast The Herd from his new home while being closer to family as well.
“My wife has given a lot to my career and sacrifice,” Cowherd said. “I love the city, she’s got her sister there, I’ve got a lot of friends there. And I think it’s just time to be a better guy, be a better husband.”
The host first teased a move to Chicago last April. In his announcement this week, Cowherd said he told Fox Sports of his intentions six months ago.
Because Fox is a majority owner and operating partner of the Big Ten Network, the move works well logistically for FS1, which was built around Cowherd when it launched in 2016. The Herd remains competitive against ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show and anchors FS1’s daytime lineup.
It won’t be a full goodbye to L.A., where Fox Sports also broadcasts its daytime shows Speak and The Facility as well as its Sunday NFL pregame slate. Cowherd estimated he will spend a few weeks each football season back in Southern California.
Cowherd, who also works for iHeartMedia as part of a distribution deal for the radio simulcast of The Herd, believes experiencing a new part of the country helps him as a sports analyst. And he has bounced around a lot, starting his career in the West before later heading to Tampa and ultimately Bristol.
“I always said I think it’s an advantage as a broadcaster,” Cowherd said. “I think it gives me a sense of every region.”
Now Cowherd can officially add the midwest to the list.
The radio veteran did not give a formal date for his move, and Fox Sports has not officially announced Cowherd’s new deal. On his podcast, Cowherd stated the relocation will happen this spring.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.