Derek Jeter Could Land at ESPN After Leaving the Marlins

Somewhat flying under the radar due to all of the coverage about last-minute collective bargaining agreement negotiations between Major League Baseball’s owners and players was the news that a former star player announced he was stepping down as a minority owner after four years in the front office of a National League team.

Derek Jeter, who spent two decades playing shortstop for the New York Yankees before being elected into the Hall of Fame, took a 4% ownership stake in the Miami Marlins in 2017 as part of a Bruce Sherman-led group and took over as CEO of the team. On Monday, Jeter announced he was stepping down as CEO of the team and giving up his ownership stake in what was billed as a mutually agreed-upon decision between all parties involved.

“We had a vision five years ago to turn the Marlins franchise around, and as CEO, I have been proud to put my name and reputation on the line to make our plan a reality,” Jeter, who guided the team to a combined 218-327 record but did have his club make the postseason during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season, wrote in a statement. “Through hard work, trust and accountability, we transformed every aspect of the franchise, reshaping the workforce and developing a long-term strategic plan for success.”

According to Front Office Sports, the five-time World Series champion’s next shot at success could come in the broadcast booth or studio working as an analyst for ESPN.

ESPN, which already employs Jeter’s former Yankee teammate Alex Rodriguez and is looking to expand his role, wants to land the 47-year-old if he has an interest in doing TV and would consider it “a no-brainer” to add “The Captain” to its Sunday Night Baseball broadcast team of play-by-play announcer Karl Ravech and analysts David Cone and Eduardo Perez, even on a limited basis.

“I think he would be spectacular as a broadcaster,” consultant Lee Berke told FOS. “With the advent of the ManningCast, there’s a variety of ways for athletes to get involved in media.”

However, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro, who is a huge New York Yankees fan, could face competition from Fox and Turner Sports to bring Jeter aboard at the Worldwide Leader.

“If Jeter does want to follow the path into broadcasting blazed by other MLB legends like David Ortiz and Cal Ripken, ESPN could have plenty of competition,” per FOS.

Stay tuned.