Kyle Brandt admits he tried to poach ESPN star before network’s $3bn takeover became official

ESPN’s takeover of NFL Network was finalized at the beginning of April.

The $3 billion purchase, which was part of an equity deal with the NFL, was approved in January, and the transition has been smooth.

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The 2026 NFL Draft was the first since the merger, with featured broadcasts on ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network.

It has come under criticism, with coverage of the first round being so delayed that Super Bowl Champion Mitchell Schwartz took to social media to say it ruined his viewing experience.

Mike Greenberg also managed to incorrectly claim that Denzel Boston’s father played in the NFL.

Day three’s coverage featured Kyle Brandt, a longtime NFL Network personality and Good Morning Football host, as a part of the ESPN broadcast on day three of the draft.

Brandt joined Rece Davis, Mel Kiper Jr., Louis Riddick, and Field Yates at the ESPN desk during the seventh round. 

Brandt, who went back and forth with Seth Rollins on Thursday in a planned skit, made his admiration clear of all his fellow panelists.

But when it came to Yates, Brandt delivered the most interesting story out of all of them.

“Field Yates, I’m going to air you out right now. Guys, I have a confession,” Brandt said. 

“A year ago, I tried to poach Field Yates from this network. I knew his contract was up. There was a secret lunch. I purchased him alcohol. And he said, ‘No.’ And he stayed here. And you made the right choice. You’ve been killing it.”

“Foreshadowing,” Yates responded.

Yates has quickly become one of the most popular voices on ESPN, and signed a multi-year deal with the network after Brandt’s proposal.

ESPN

ESPN

He’s seen his role grow substantially since joining the network in 2012, now serving as one of ESPN’s top NFL, NFL Draft, and fantasy football analysts.

Fans unimpressed by Brandt’s draft night performance

The good thing for Brandt and Yates, is that they now get to work together without any party jumping ship.

Brandt’s time in the limelight during the seventh, and final round of the 2026 NFL Draft came under criticism by fans.

“Brandt never stops talking. His time on stage today was so annoying,” One fan said, criticizing the NFL Network host.

“This guy never knows when to shut up. Let somebody else have a go,” A second added.

“Brandt buying drinks while Yates stuck to ESPN proves loyalty beats cash and bad pitches real smooth,” A third added.

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It hasn’t been the best of starts for ESPN, since their takeover, and they will be looking to iron these issues out before their Super Bowl debut.

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