Longtime NFL Network reporter and Dallas Cowboys insider Jane Slater shared a major update about her future on July 14.
Slater, who has spent the past 11 years with NFL Network as a reporter and insider, revealed during a recent podcast appearance that negotiations on a new contract are currently underway. Slater did not reveal the financial terms or length of her new deal, saying only that her contract is currently in the works following the ESPN–NFL Network merger.
Jane Slater makes her new Contract plans clear after the ESPN-NFL Network deal
Speaking on Crown Global Media’s YouTube podcast, Slater first reflected on the rapidly changing media landscape and explained how journalism jobs have continued to disappear year after year, before providing an update on her own situation.
“I mean, if anything, there are probably less jobs than there were,” Slater said. But of course, when I started out in 2004, there were really no jobs, especially for women. You didn’t have the team websites. We didn’t have YouTube. You just had to get into a small TV market and work your way up.”
The reporter added, “But yeah, this is really, really interesting. ESPN bought the NFL Network. The league still has a 10 percent stake in the NFL Network. But in terms of where I get my paycheck now, where I have to do online training, it’s all through ESPN.”
And finally said, “But you will see me primarily on NFL Network. Well, fingers crossed. We are talking about my contract right now. The tone is positive. You’ll see me kind of cross-pollinating from time to time. But what’s interesting is they’re going to have, in a lot of cases, two reporters on location.”
NFL Network reporters faced significant uncertainty after ESPN acquired the network as part of a landmark deal that gave the NFL a 10% ownership stake in ESPN. On Jan. 31, 2026, regulators officially approved the multibillion-dollar transaction, paving the way for the merger.
In the months that followed, speculation swirled over the futures of several high-profile NFL Network personalities. Rumors suggested that star insider Ian Rapoport might not return, while others wondered if ESPN’s Adam Schefter could take on a larger role.
Those rumors were put to rest when Rapoport signed a new four-year contract with ESPN, although the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. And now, Slater is also about to sign a contract with ESPN and not with the NFL Network.
ESPN’s Jane Slater or NFL Network’s Jane Slater?
When the host of the podcast asked, “If ESPN is signing a check, then you are ESPN’s, Jane Slater.” The reporter smiled and replied, “Yes, but it’s still- I’ll be having an NFL Network flag.”
There has been a strong relationship between NFL fans and reporters like Slater. Over the years, Slater has broken numerous NFL stories and reported from Super Bowls, NFL Drafts, training camps, and league meetings. As a result, Slater has earned tremendous love and respect from fans, the Cowboys players like Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and coaches for her accurate reporting and strong league sources.
And before joining NFL Network, the insider served as a sideline reporter for CBS Sports and covered the Dallas Cowboys extensively for ESPN. Her work around the team helped establish her as one of the leading reporters on the Cowboys beat.
In 2016, Slater joined NFL Network as a national reporter. Since then, she has become one of the network’s top insiders, regularly appearing on programs such as NFL Total Access, Good Morning Football, and The Insiders.
And now, Slater is embarking on an ESPN journey. Though she did not reveal any other details about the new contract, this is the only good news we have for the Cowboys fans right now.
