Colin Cowherd On ESPN Exit: ‘I Can’t Wait For This Next Chapter In My Career’

Colin Cowherd is officially moving to Fox Sports 1.

Jamie Horowitz, President of Fox Sports National Networks, officially welcomed the highly controversial on-air personality through a press release earlier this week, according to Fox Sports. And for the 51-year-old Cowherd, whose derogatory remarks towards Dominicans made his exit from ESPN a national news story, his new job couldn’t come fast enough.

“It’s hard to put into words how much fun it is for me, as a broadcaster, to build something with really smart, talented people,” Colin was quoted in the release. “I can’t wait for this next chapter in my career to start. Fox Sports is the perfect spot for me at this time in my life.”

For Cowherd, the move to FOX was made easier through his connection to Horowitz.

“Colin is the first person I hired for my first daily studio show at ESPN, so it’s fitting that he’s the first one I’m hiring at FS1,” Horowitz said, alluding to hiring Cowherd as the original co-host of ESPN’s SportsNation in July 2009. “Colin is a unique voice in sports media with a loyal following of fans, and we’re looking forward to building our daytime programming around him.”

In addition to bringing his highly-rated radio show, The Herd, to Fox Sports 1, Cowherd will also become a key member of the Fox NFL Kickoff cast, a show that moves from Fox Sports 1 to FOX, airing Sundays at 11 a.m. ET preceding Fox NFL Sunday.

Cowherd spoke with the Hollywood Reporter recently about being part of the new program, but downplayed his role on the show.

“I’m not somebody that demands a presence. I would rather be on a thoughtful [program]. I don’t need to be the star. My radio show obviously is built around my personality. To me, radio is about making you uncomfortable. Television is about making you comfortable: Who do you like? Who do you want to be friends with? So I don’t need to tower over people in television. If I can be a part of a really great project, I’m all in.”

Cowherd also apologized for remarks made during his final week at ESPN that in turn forced the network to release him from his contract a week early.

“I chose my words very poorly,” Colin said. “I made a mistake. I can be harsh but I don’t think I’m mean. I hurt people with my words and I regret that. But I don’t want that ending to overwhelm what was a great relationship.”

[Colin Cowherd photo credit: Al Messerschmidt / Getty Images]