The sports entertainment world has undergone many changes throughout its history, and companies are always adding or losing talent. Having fresh new shows can be a good thing, but it’s also important to have consistency.
Shows that can become a solid piece of a multimedia sports company are what keep these companies alive, and ESPN just got one of those shows.
Mike Golic Sr.’s ESPN Return Draws Reactions
For 25 years, former NFL defensive lineman Mike Golic Sr. was a major part of ESPN, but in 2020, he left the company after his contract was not renewed. His son, Mike Golic Jr., was also with ESPN, but his tenure lasted 7 years and ended in 2022.
Both have been in the sports industry since then, but today, ESPN announced that the duo would be returning to the company to host their new show, “The Golics”. ESPN executive Vice President Mike Foss spoke on the company’s move:
“‘Reuniting with the Mikes Golic was a tremendous opportunity for our audience,’ said Mike Foss, Executive Vice President, Executive Editor, Sports News and Entertainment. ‘They’ve been building chemistry together since 1989, and it’s a joy to bring their peerless partnership back to ESPN.'”
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With Golic Sr. being such an integral part of ESPN during his time, and the fact that a new show will be done with his son, people around the NFL World were rightfully excited about the move.
Here are some of those reactions:
ESPN NFL reporter Adam Schefter announced the news and welcomed back the duo, “Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. are returning to ESPN Radio to host ‘The Golics’. Welcome back.”
Mike Golic Sr. and Mike Golic Jr. are returning to ESPN Radio to host ‘The Golics’. Welcome back. pic.twitter.com/DyvkDMNIhB
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 29, 2026
NFL Draft analyst Field Yates praised the Golics and welcomed them back to the company, “This RULES. The Golics are awesome. Welcome back!”
This RULES. The Golics are awesome. Welcome back! https://t.co/GhxVhsIfJ1
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 29, 2026
Former NFL QB Dan Orlovsky celebrated the news:
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 https://t.co/8wgfgmFOGH
— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) June 29, 2026
Sports podcaster Ariel Helwani was happy to hear the news and congratulated ESPN’s duo, “This is tremendous news. Love it. Congrats.”
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Former NFL QB Chase Daniel believed ESPN as a company just improved by making this addition, “This is so perfect. The Golics are the absolute best & legends. ESPN got better today”.
This is so perfect.
The Golics are the absolute best & legends. ESPN got better today https://t.co/l3Wf69vfDI
— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) June 29, 2026
ESPN’s President of Content, Burke Magnus, welcomed the Bristols back to the company, “Epic day in Bristol…great to have these boys back in the family.”
Epic day in Bristol…great to have these boys back in the family. @golic @mikegolicjr https://t.co/CZJHZDH7xO
— Burke Magnus (@burkemagnus) June 29, 2026
Producer Ryan Chell loved the move by ESPN and joked about making returns home, “This is awesome! Who says you can’t go home?”
This is awesome!
Who says you can’t go home? https://t.co/1u31c7yRQc
— Ryan Chell (@RecSpecsRyan) June 29, 2026
ESPN writer Bill Barnwell reacted simply with “Oh heck yeah.”
NFL writer Jarrett Bailey spoke on the importance of what Golic Sr. brought to ESPN and is one of the reasons why he went into the NFL world. “I’ve said this publicly plenty of times, but watching @golic every morning as a kid is a big reason why I wanted to work in sports for a living. Awesome to see he and @mikegolicjr continue their show and do it back at ESPN.”
Clearly, this move by ESPN was appreciated by the entire NFL world, and with that excitement, the new show should become a fan favorite.
Starting August 3rd, “The Golics” will join the ESPN audio lineup from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. ET.
