Colin Cowherd is moving. No, he’s not retiring—far from it. He actually just doubled down on his career with a massive three-year extension at Fox Sports. But the shocker isn't the contract itself; it’s the zip code. After a decade of living the high life in Los Angeles, Cowherd is packing up his headset and moving "The Herd" to Chicago.
Honestly, it’s a move nobody saw coming until it was already happening. For years, Cowherd has been the face of FS1 in LA, broadcasting from the glitzy studios on the Fox lot. But now? He’s trading the Pacific Ocean for Lake Michigan.
The Colin Cowherd Chicago FS1 Extension Details
The ink is officially dry on the new deal. While Fox Sports rarely releases exact salary figures for their top-tier talent, industry insiders suggest this extension keeps Cowherd in the neighborhood of his previous $6 million to $10 million annual range, potentially even higher given the leverage he held. The deal is set for at least three more years, aligning his timeline with co-host Jason McIntyre, who also re-signed through 2028.
So, how does a show based in California move to the Midwest without missing a beat? Basically, Fox is building a custom, state-of-the-art studio for him inside the Big Ten Network (BTN) headquarters. Since Fox is a majority owner of BTN, the logistics are surprisingly clean.
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- Broadcast Location: Primarily Chicago (roughly 85% of the year).
- LA Presence: Cowherd will still fly back to Los Angeles periodically, especially during the peak of the NFL season for big-ticket interviews.
- The Studio: High-tech fibers are being run between the Chicago BTN offices and the main Fox facility in LA to ensure zero lag during the simulcast.
Why Chicago? It’s Not Just About the Deep Dish
You’ve probably heard Cowherd talk about "quality of life" on his podcast. He’s 61 now. He’s been remarkably open about the fact that his wife, Ann, never quite fell in love with Los Angeles. In fact, he flat-out told his audience on The Colin Cowherd Podcast that he wanted to be a "better husband" by moving closer to her family.
But there’s a business angle here too. Chicago is a sports-mad town. By moving to the Midwest, he’s planting his flag in the heart of Big Ten country—a conference that is essentially the lifeblood of Fox’s college football Saturday ratings.
He’s already making himself at home. Reports from T-Dog Media and Crain’s indicate he’s dropped some serious cash on real estate, including a $3.25 million downtown condo and a $4.45 million house in the north suburban enclave of Winnetka. He even bought season tickets for the Bulls and Blackhawks. He isn't just visiting; he's moving in.
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The Volume and the Future of FS1
What does this mean for his media empire, The Volume? Not much changes, which is likely why he stayed with Fox. They give him the "creative authority" he craves. He manages over 45 employees at The Volume while hosting a three-hour daily TV show. That’s a massive workload.
There was a lot of noise about Cowherd potentially returning to ESPN when his contract neared its end in early 2025. Bristol was reportedly looking for a "monster" to fix their radio ratings. But Cowherd chose the freedom of Fox. He likes the management. He likes the autonomy.
What most people get wrong about the move
A lot of fans think this is a "winding down" phase. It’s actually the opposite. By moving to Chicago, he’s positioning "The Herd" right in the middle of a new sports media hub. Remember, Barstool Sports just moved their entire operation to Chicago recently. Suddenly, the Windy City is the capital of national sports talk, and Cowherd didn't want to be left behind on the West Coast.
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Is Jason McIntyre Moving Too?
This was the big question for months. "J-Mac" is a staple of the show now, and fans wondered if the chemistry would survive a 2,000-mile gap. The plan is a "shuffling" act. McIntyre will largely stay in LA but will travel to Chicago frequently to broadcast alongside Colin in person. They’ll use a split-screen setup for the rest of the time—something we’ve all grown used to in the post-2020 era of broadcasting.
What This Means for You
If you’re a daily listener, the show you love isn't changing its DNA. You’ll still get the analogies about CEOs, the divorce metaphors for quarterback transitions, and the "Where Colin was Right" segments. You’ll just see a different skyline out the window.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Media Observers:
- Watch the BTN integration: Expect more Big Ten coaches and personalities to walk into the studio now that Cowherd is literally down the hall from their headquarters.
- The Volume's Growth: Watch for Cowherd to potentially scout more Midwest-based talent for his podcast network now that he’s in the neighborhood.
- Schedule Shifts: "The Herd" remains in its 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM ET slot, but the energy of a live Chicago morning might give the show a fresh punch.
Cowherd has always said that being a broadcaster is like being a pro athlete—you have to go where the opportunities (and the lifestyle) make the most sense. For him, right now, that's Chicago. He’s got the extension, he’s got the house, and he’s got the freedom to keep doing things his way. He bet on himself, and once again, the "King of the Herd" seems to have come out on top.