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ESPN not renweing contract of Mel Kiper

http://nypost.com/sports/31795.htm

Quote:

October 15, 2004 -- Mel Kiper Jr. is off ESPN's draft board, NYP TV Sports has learned. After a 22-year run as ESPN's NFL draft expert, Kiper is being let go by the network.
"ESPN will not be renewing Mel Kiper's contract," Mark Shapiro, the network's executive vice president, confirmed.

"He would not agree to extend the standard non-monetary contract provisions of his current deal.''

ESPN would not elaborate.

Reached yesterday, Kiper, 44, was unaware of ESPN's final decision.

"You are telling me something ESPN hasn't told me," said Kiper, whose last contract expired Oct. 1. "There was some language that we were not agreeable to. As far as I was concerned, negotiations were ongoing.''

Kiper agreed that money was not an issue. He acknowledged that the language of the contract was the problem, but wouldn't go into great detail. Pressed for an example, he did say he wanted to know a specific number of SportsCenters he would be required to do.

Alway's liked his draft reports and predictions on ESPN anyone know where he is going to go?

That guy seems to know his stuff and very valuable for ESPN to want to keep

I will miss most not his insightful draft commentary, but his hair.
http://www.espn1070.com/timages/page/espn-melkiper.jpg

Wonder how long it will be before he's on Fox Sports?

Who the hell is Mel Kiper anyway? ;)

what!?! bad idea, I love Mel Kiper's reports and stuff, its sad to see him go.

Kiper is the zen of the NFL draft for ESPN. He is also one of the key reasons why anyone would ever think of getting ESPN insider. Where is the value now in insider on ESPN.com?

He is someone that gave the draft credibility. I see ESPN's coverage hurting without Mel Kiper. Maybe they can put the winner of Dream Job up there.

As familiar a face as he is, a lot of people never really respected Kiper. Over the course of a year, he'd have every college player make an appearance on his top 25, and then when Draft time comes, he makes a big deal like it was his call all along.

That said, he does know a load about the draft... I hope ESPN can pick up someone to fill his shoes, a guy like DJ Boyer maybe.