Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden has embarked on a new chapter in his career by signing a multi-year deal with Barstool Sports, a prominent sports and entertainment media company. This development comes three years after Gruden resigned from his position with the Las Vegas Raiders following the emergence of emails containing offensive language.
Barstool Sports’ president, Dave Portnoy, confirmed the hiring by sharing a video of Gruden discussing his well-known “Spider Y 2 Banana” play with Barstool employees. The specifics of Gruden’s role within the company have not been disclosed.
Prior to this, Gruden had a notable tenure as an analyst for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” from 2009 to 2017. He returned to coaching the Raiders in 2018 but stepped down in 2021 amid controversy over leaked emails. Currently, Gruden is pursuing legal action against the NFL and Commissioner Roger Goodell, alleging that the league selectively leaked his emails to force his resignation.
In recent times, Gruden has been active on social media, particularly on TikTok, where he shares football analyses under the handle “Gruden Loves Football.” His engagement with Barstool Sports began with an appearance on their “Pardon My Take” podcast, leading to his current association with the company.
Speculation about Gruden’s potential return to the NFL has been circulating. Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason mentioned on his radio show that he believes Gruden is eager to return to coaching and that some teams have shown interest in him. However, no official statements have been made regarding Gruden’s future in the NFL.
As Gruden embarks on this new venture with Barstool Sports, the sports community remains attentive to his contributions and any developments concerning his professional trajectory.
