Why Tony Dungy is 'likely' out at 'Football Night in America' after 17 years covering the NFL for NBC

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Coming off a loaded February sports schedule, some more significant news dropped around NBC on Wednesday.

The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported that the network is likely set to part ways with some of its talent on "Football Night in America," the longtime pregame show to "Sunday Night Football."

Tony Dungy, the former Indianapolis Colts coach, is "likely" among the faces who will be leaving the program, per Marchand.

Here's what to know about Dungy's reported exit from NBC.

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Why is Tony Dungy out at 'Football Night in America'?

On Wednesday, Marchand reported that Dungy is "likely" out of "Football Night in America" moving forward —a show he was part of for 17 NFL seasons. However, the move is not yet final, and there is reportedly a "small possibility NBC could change its mind."

NBC is said to be eyeing a "new-look show," which includes possibly taking "the show fully on the road next season" and cutting down on its "large cast," per Marchand. There were "many" contracts among NBC's studio analysts that expired after the 2025 season.

NBC appears to be eyeing a revamped "Football Night in America" for the 2026 season, which likely means Dungy will be making an exit.

Was Tony Dungy fired by NBC?

Dungy has not yet been let go by NBC, as Wednesday's report was simply indicating he is "likely" to be removed from the "Football Night in America" crew for 2026 — he also reportedly has not been informed of any changes yet.

According to Marchand, the move is not final and there is a "small possibility NBC could change its mind," or choose to allow Dungy to contribute in a "reduced role" for the network.

Tony's Dungy involvement in Bill Bellichick Hall of Fame controversy

Dungy was recently near the center of a major NFL offseason story when legendary New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was not elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot.

Dungy, a Hall of Fame voter, became a focus after Belichick, one of the most decorated coaches in NFL history, was unexpectedly left out. Reports suggested some voters may have withheld votes as a response to Belichick’s involvement in past controversies.

Because Dungy was the Colts’ head coach throughout the 2000s and had a long-standing rivalry with Belichick’s Patriots, speculation arose that he may have influenced the outcome. Dungy fueled the rumors by repeatedly declining to say whether he voted for Belichick.

Was Tony Dungy removed because of Bill Bellichick controversy? 

Dungy has yet to be officially let go by NBC, but even if he is, it's unlikely his exit is due to his Hall of Fame voting controversy with Bill Belichick. 

NBC owns a premiere NFL slot with its "Sunday Night Football" program, and the lead-into the game, "Football Night in America," is one of the most successful pregame shows in sports. The likely changes are being made to create a "new-look show," per The Athletic.

In 2023, Dungy was at the center of another controversy due to a tweet of his that included anti-LBGTQ rhetoric, but after publicly apologizing, he returned to NBC — that controversy also likely is not playing a role in Dungy's future on "Football Night in America."

MORE: What to know about Tony Dungy's controversial "litter box" tweet in 2023

How old is Tony Dungy?

Tony Dungy is 70 years old. He will turn 71 on Oct. 6, 2026.

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