Ad Disclosure
Rece Davis makes decision on College GameDay future following recruitment by ‘Big Noon Kickoff,’ per report
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Rece Davis is staying put at ESPN after being recruited by FOX Sports.
Media insider Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported Sunday that Davis was heavily pursued by FOX Sports to jump ship.
NEWS: After a big recruitment by rival Fox's "Big Noon," Rece Davis has decided to remain at GameDay on a new seven-year deal for tens of millions, The Athletic. Full story and some more college football TV transfer portal news.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) April 13, 2025
FOX Sports sought Davis to replace Rob Stone as host of Big Noon Kickoff, its pregame show that competes with ESPN’s College GameDay. FOX made an “all-out effort” to poach Davis, per Marchand, but the GameDay host decided to stay home.
Davis, 59, reportedly gave ESPN “a slight hometown discount” to remain with the Worldwide Leader. The Athletic did not report the exact terms of Davis’s new contract at ESPN, but states that it is a 7-year deal for “tens of millions of dollars.” Davis is guaranteed the lead hosting duties through the remainder of ESPN’s College Football Playoff deal, which runs through 2031-32.
Davis’s ESPN bio notes that he has been with the company for more than 25 years. An Alabama alumnus, Davis took over as the host of the football edition of College GameDay in 2015, replacing Chris Fowler. Davis has hosted the basketball version of College GameDay since its 2005 debut.
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.