Former Colts Vice Chairman Bill Polian Joins ESPN as NFL Analyst

Will Debut March 12 on SportsCenter and NFL32

Former Indianapolis Colts Vice Chairman and six-time NFL Executive of the Year Bill Polian has joined ESPN as an NFL analyst. He is scheduled to make his debut on Monday, March 12, and appear throughout the year on NFL Live, NFL32, and SportsCenter. He will also regularly contribute to ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Radio and other platforms.

Polian helped build multiple successful franchises during his 24 years as a National Football League general manager. He drafted four-time NFL MVP Peyton Manning and constructed the Indianapolis Colts roster that went to the playoffs 11 times, and won eight division titles, two AFC Championship games, and was crowned champions of Super Bowl XLI. As the first GM of the expansion Carolina Panthers, the team advanced to the NFC Championship in only its second year of existence. And, as the general manager of the Buffalo Bills, the teams he constructed appeared in six straight playoffs and four consecutive Super Bowls (1990-93).

In all, Polian's Colts, Panthers and Bills teams made 17 playoff, eight conference championship game and five Super Bowl appearances. Widely praised as a top talent evaluator and influential executive, Polian served on multiple league committees and played a key role in formulating and implementing the NFL's current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Polian's ESPN role will focus on the NFL Draft, free agency and the multitude of other business-related aspects of pro football, including player transactions, trades, salary cap issues and league rules.

"Bill Polian has experienced it all during his two-and-a-half decades as a NFL general manager and team executive and we will tap into his expertise immediately on ESPN in preparation for the upcoming NFL Draft, free agency and arguably the biggest offseason story in years with the future of his former quarterback Peyton Manning still to be determined," said Seth Markman, ESPN senior coordinating producer for NFL studio shows.

Polian added: "I'm excited to be joining ESPN. It presents another opportunity for me to remain involved in the game I love while allowing me to view it from a different angle. I hope I can bring new insight to the millions of loyal ESPN football viewers."