Media Street: Nick Riewoldt joins ESPN for Super Bowl LVII coverage

After leaving Australia for the United States, many thought we would not see Nick Riewoldt on our televisions anytime soon, however the Saints great has appeared in a surprising new role.

You’ll never guess who has bobbed up on our television screens just a few months after his shock defection to the United States.

That’s right, St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt’s broadcasting talents have gone global with the highly regarded AFL analyst using his media contacts to put him front and centre in one of the biggest sporting events in the world, the NFL Super Bowl.

Riewoldt’s freelance stint with American sports giant ESPN for the Phoenix Super Bowl could also turn into a more regular role after his strong on-air performance this week.

Riewoldt’s ongoing relationship with ESPN’s digital team meant he was a natural fit for the week-long gig filing colour stories and appearing on the network’s panel show for the Kansas City v Philadelphia contest.

The five-time All Australian is an NFL nut who also has a friendship with Philadelphia punter Arryn Siposs.

Nick Riewoldt talks NFL on ESPN in the countdown to the Super Bowl.

Riewoldt is friends with former Saint Arryn Siposs, who he interviewed as one of this profile reports.

He has interviewed both former Saint Siposs and his Australian teammate Jordan Mailata as part of his colour reports as an NFL fan and Australian AFL star.

The official word is that Riewoldt’s partnership with the network is only for the Super Bowl but he would be a no-brainer to pop up at big American events to add some local colour.

Riewoldt said he was still in shock to be working on the coverage.

“It’s on another level… there’s a huge vibe, huge buzz in town. I might be the most excited person in Phoenix at the moment,” he told Triple M’s Rush Hour.

“Made the move over to Texas a few weeks ago and got a call out of the blue from an Australian guy at ESPN asking if I wanted to cover it.

“I’m pissing myself to be honest, this is an absolute dream come true.”

He is tipping an Eagles win, also for his mate Siposs.

“I just couldn’t believe the fact that he was part of the Super Bowl,” he said.

“He was really optimistic that he was going to get up to play.

“It’s an amazing story and I just hope he goes well.”

ESPN hosts yearly coverage of the Super Bowl into Australia with shows dedicated to Australian fans but this year in America the network will also broadcast the event into American homes.

Riewoldt was one of Fox Footy’s high-profile experts but returned to his wife Catherine’s home state of Texas with their three children for the 2023 season.

Nick Riewoldt made quite a name for himself on Fox Footy's On the Couch for his hard-hitting opinion.

The St Kilda champion is expected to return to Australia for the 2024 AFL season but it’s uncertain where he will land with both Fox Footy and Channel 7 sure to be interested in his services.

Since his retirement Riewoldt has appeared across Fox Footy’s suite of AFL games and magazine shows including On The Couch.

Collingwood champion Nathan Buckley would be a leading contender to replace Riewoldt on that program if he is prepared to increase a workload that last year included special comments on an AFL game per weekend and Saturday night show Best on Ground.

This year’s Super Bowl in Scottsdale Arizona will as usual have a host of Australian guests including AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, in town on a private trip as part of a bucks party.