Sean Salisbury parted ways with ESPN on Tuesday, citing that he felt unappreciated and underpaid and he knew that by asking for a seven-figure contract, the result would be a "mutual parting."
Salisbury, who had been an ESPN NFL studio analyst for 12 years, has already packed up and left and was in Dallas, where he has a second home.
"I'm a free agent," he said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "I've been liberated. I knew this was coming, but I couldn't be happier."
Salisbury said that already has some offers, including one from FSN. Another possibility, he said, was a non-sports role with CBS.
"I'd grown tired of being punished for not being an NFL superstar. Analysts who don't work as hard as me, don't prepare as hard as me, and don't have my resume were making more than me just because of their ability to throw or catch a football.
"Don't get me wrong, I appreciated the opportunity ESPN gave me, but they had capped my ceiling. There was only so far I could go there.
"I'd done nothing wrong, and if you hear otherwise, it's not true. I did everything that was asked of me.
"I have created a brand and it's time to expand into other opportunities in TV, radio, Internet, publishing, movies and public speaking, among others. My resume speaks for itself."
"Sean Salisbury has made many contributions to our efforts for the past 12 years," said by ESPN in a statement issued Tuesday. "We thank him and wish him all the best."
When an ESPN spokesman was told of Salisbury's comments, the spokesman said, "We'll stick with our statement."
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