ESPN Lands The Mannings For Football Show

Eli and Peyton Manning (NY Post photo)

Peyton Manning is coming to “Monday Night Football” — and he’s bringing his brother, Eli, with him.

However The NY Post reports Peyton is not fully committing to following Tony Romo into the booth, but Peyton and ESPN have agreed to a contract that will see him participate in 10 alternative “MNF” broadcasts beginning this season. Eli will join him.

The deal is for three years and 30 games. The financial terms were not disclosed, but they would figure to be in the multiple millions.

On ESPN/ABC, Steve Levy, Louis Riddick Jr. and Brian Griese will handle the traditional broadcasts.

Peyton has been sports TV’s white whale, pursued by most of the NFL’s partner networks to be in the booth. ESPN has repeatedly tried to persuade him to join “Monday Night Football” — and he has repeatedly said no.

Amazon/NBC, the new partnership to broadcast “Thursday Night Football” beginning in 2022-23, had Peyton high on its list to potentially join Al Michaels in the booth, according to sources.

However, Peyton’s ESPN deal is exclusive, which will preclude Manning from possibly double-dipping.

Initially, Peyton and Eli’s production will be on ESPN2 with the chance it also ends up on ESPN+. They will not have to travel to the games, as the “MegaCast” option will originate from remote locations, where, according to a press release:

The Mannings’ version of “MNF” will be on the first three weeks of the season and then seven other weeks. There has been a feeling that Peyton has not wanted to call Tom Brady’s games. The Buccaneers do not appear on “MNF” in any of the first three weeks.