SI.com has learned that the veteran broadcaster will no longer appear on the network. Fox Sports executives were not happy with the hire by the regional network, according to sources, and the hire had not been fully vetted at the highest levels of Fox Sports management. A formal agreement had not been finalized, even though James appeared on FSS on Saturday night. "Craig James will not be making any further appearances on Fox Sports Southwest's football coverage this season," said a Fox Sports spokesperson, when asked for a comment.
James was a very unpopular figure among college football fans during his latter years at ESPN and statements he made during his Senate campaign last year in Texas -- James declared that gay people would "answer to the Lord for their actions"-- were likely unpopular among some in Fox Sports management.
