Fox Sports has parted ways with NFL analyst Mark Sanchez, following his arrest in Indianapolis last month following an altercation with a truck driver.
“We can confirm that Mark Sanchez is no longer with the network. There will be no further comment at this time,” a Fox News spokesperson tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Fox on Friday said that former NFL quarterback and veteran broadcaster Drew Brees was joining the network as a game analyst, working with Adam Amin in the broadcast booth and Kristina Pink reporting from the sidelines.
“Drew is one of the best to ever play the game, and we couldn’t be more excited to have his prolific credentials and unique insights as part of our coverage on Sundays,” said Fox Sports president of production & operations/executive producer Brad Zager. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Fox Sports family.”
Sanchez was stabbed and hospitalized in the altercation, though he was arrested at the hospital as he recovered.
Sanchez is facing a level 5 felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury charge. The charge carries a potential sentence of up to six years in prison.
Sanchez was initially facing misdemeanor charges — for alleged battery with injury, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and public intoxication — but once they learned more about the victim’s current medical condition, but Marion County prosecutor Ryan Mears said “it became clear to us that additional charges needed to be filed.”
The stabbing incident happened just before the broadcaster was set to call the game between the Colts and Las Vegas Raiders for Fox. Before Sanchez began working in sports media, his career in the NFL included playing for the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders.
He joined Fox as a game analyst in 2021.
Sanchez is also married to actress Perry Mattfeld, who starred alongside Glen Powell in the sports-comedy series Chad Powers. In a person of interest profile for The Hollywood Reporter, Mattfeld said that Sanchez gave herself and the show’s writers some insight on nailing the football aspect as he has a “great relationship” with Eli and Peyton Manning, who executive produce the show.
