Pam Oliver out, Erin Andrews in on Fox’s No. 1 NFL broadcast team

Pam Oliver has been replaced by Erin Andrews as the sideline reporter for Fox’s No. 1 team for NFL broadcasts.

And after this season, her 20th on NFL sidelines, Oliver will be switched to other duties within Fox Sports, including “long-form pieces, specials, major interviews and some producing as well,” according to the SI.com article that broke the news Monday morning.

“Disappointment is not really a word I’d use right now because I’ve had some weeks to process it,” Oliver said. “I think my emotions during the season will be sadness because I had been around that group for a decade.”

She added: “But you have to move forward and deal with what is on your plate. I went through a range of emotions, but as I speak with you today, disappointment has passed me and I have reached a point of trying to move forward with some sadness.”

Oliver first learned of the decision in April during a meeting with Fox executives, who originally told her she would be removed immediately from the sidelines altogether. But she talked them into one last year, with the No. 2 broadcast team of Kevin Burkhardt and John Lynch.

“To go from the lead crew to no crew was a little shocking,” Oliver said. “I said I wanted to do a 20th year [on the sidelines]. I expressed to them that I was not done and had something to offer. Again, I think it was predetermined coming in. Not at that meeting, but two years ago it was determined that no matter what I did or did not do, a change would be made for this year.”

Two years ago -- a.k.a. when Fox hired Andrews, now 36, away from ESPN.

Still, Oliver says she has no problem with Andrews and that no one at Fox has ever given her a hard time about her age. “But I live in the real world and I know that television tends to get younger where women are concerned,” Oliver said. “Just turn on your TV. It’s everywhere. And I’m not saying these younger girls don’t deserve a chance. I know I’ve had my turn.”

While she will clearly miss sideline reporting, Oliver signed a new, multi-year contract with Fox last week and expressed excitement for her new role. Fox Sports president Eric Shanks says the network feels the same way.

“Clearly it’s an expanded role that meets the needs of all the big events that Fox and Fox Sports 1 covers as well as the NFL on Fox,” Shanks said. “I can’t think of a more respected person in the entire industry than Pam Oliver, and when you find out that Pam is going to be doing the interview, I don’t think you would say that anyone else would do the interview better. Her being a part of the Fox family now and in the future is really important to us.”

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