Amid these efforts, which also included co-hosting several radio programs, Schlereth was rarely the primary voice guiding the broadcast in and out of breaks, sparking conversation, or facilitating the program overview. Conversely, he was focused on formulating strong opinions based on facts.

As a member of the NFL on FOX franchise for the past eight seasons, Schlereth remains busy with such preparations on a weekly basis and often spends many of his afternoons reviewing films. From there, he travels to the game site and spends time with the crew, including play-by-play announcer Chris Myers and sideline reporter Jen Hale, as they speak with teams and finalize pre-game preparations.

“There’s camaraderie, and there’s teamwork where it’s a lot like playing,” Schlereth said of color commentary. “We all have to be on the same page to put together a good broadcast, and I think one of the nice things for me is when you’re connected — I mean, really connected to the people you’re talking to does – man, it’s one of the best things in the world because you get to celebrate everyone’s success.

Contemplating possible graphics and discussions has been a constant in Schlereth’s afternoons since moving to New York City after previously living and working in Denver. Over the past two years, he said, FOX Sports approached him and hoped to join a television studio program again.

However, due to family obligations, this lifestyle was not feasible until some of his family members moved, creating a new dynamic and the ability to take on the additional responsibilities. Paired with two former radio hosts, Craig Carton and Danny Parkins, Schlereth assumed one of them would run the show and he would be there to give his perspectives and provide entertainment.

“I always tell my partners, ‘You run the show as the host so I can run around in it,’” Schlereth emphasized, “and that’s always been the way I wanted to approach it: ‘Let me run around. If it doesn’t work, just let me have the freedom to do what I want. I’m going to take this off track. Your job is to bring us back in, and there’s going to be some harrowing moments, there’s going to be some great analyst-type moments, but mostly we’re going to have fun,’ and that’s kind of the way I’m co- been a host because I don’t actually host the show (and) never had any intention of hosting the show.

That suddenly changed when Schlereth signed a contract to officially join Breakfast ballthe new morning show on FS1 as part of the new programming on weekdays. While traveling to New York, his producer mentioned logistical aspects of getting in and out at breaks, show elements he didn’t believe he would be involved in. Once Schlereth learned he would be hosting the show, he said the company did not inform him of that when closing the deal. Nevertheless, he has addressed the issue and is thriving in the dual role.

“It was great to have that pressure on me and then try to figure out how to direct the show and get us to where we needed to go,” Schlereth explained, “and at the same time be an analyst and giving my opinion and joining the conversation and really listening to the conversation, and at the same time trying to take us where we need to go. It was a real challenge.”

Schlereth will use factors related to authenticity and entertainment to evaluate the success of the program. While everyone on the program has a post-show meeting immediately afterwards, Schlereth will not be in attendance due to additional commitments to co-hosting with Mike Evans on Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan.

“I want the man who went to work and listened to me on the way to work, who is doing an everyday task, putting together his 100th widget (to take a break) and (thinking) about himself – ( because of) something I said – just think to himself, ‘Man, that guy’s a fucking idiot,’ and laugh about it,” Schlereth said. “My goal is to make you pause at some point during the day and just say, ‘What an idiot,’ and to me that’s why I’m there.”

The on-air relationship Schlereth has with Evans is something he cherishes, and he confirms that his co-host is the best person in the role he has worked with during his career. When Evans laughs at something he says, it’s good for his ego. Furthermore, Evans lets Schlereth go for a while before bringing him back to reality. The trust and sympathy between he and Evans contributed to his decision to continue hosting the second half of the four-hour morning show.

“I didn’t want to leave radio, but I knew based on the time slot that I would miss a few, so I put it back in the lap of radio,” Schlereth outlined. “I said, ‘How can we do what’s best for the station, to help the station and honestly help my partner, Mike Evans?’ Mike and I are very close. I want him to do well and the show to continue to thrive. I never fully intended to leave full-time.”

Bonneville International added Amanda Brown last year as program director of Denver Sports 104.3 The Fan, giving her a role similar to the one she previously held at ESPN LA 710. In the previous year, Katie Reid was named market manager of the stations in Denver. However, recent management changes did not stop the company from consulting with Schlereth and agreeing to his new role.

“They’re both great listeners to the people who are actually doing it on the air,” Schlereth said. “It’s one thing to have an opinion and say, ‘This is what I think you guys should do,’ but to have that opinion you also have to listen to the people who crack the microphones every day and make sure that it happens. ”

Schlereth immediately travels upstairs to his office in the FS1 studios Breakfast ball ends to host on the radio using a Comrex device. Before his television obligations begin, he ensures that the device is properly connected to the transmitter to avoid delays. When his time on air begins, he simply turns on the microphone and contributes to the show as usual. While he declines to meet remotely with players and coaches before NFL games air, he understands that he can appropriately fulfill his on-air role in this capacity. The NFL broadcasts also require him to host Breakfast ball remotely every Friday, introducing a two-second delay that could make traffic more difficult to direct.

“It’s going to be a very difficult type of game to play because there’s lag, and that makes it difficult, and there’s just so much better chemistry,” Schlereth said. “I know everyone is doing things over Zoom and everything else, but I’m a team guy and a connected person, and I like to have that connection with the people I work with, and you can’t do that remotely.”

At this point, Schlereth believes his seven-day work week is not hurting his effectiveness and productivity. He even praised the arrangement and revealed that he can do this for as long as the company wants. That said, if the situation moves in a direction where it makes more sense to remove him from the show, he will completely understand.

“I find my moments, but yeah, to grind you have to take care of yourself, and sometimes that means, ‘Hey man, I’m not going out to dinner tonight.’ I’m so tired, I’m just going to go to bed, so that’s it,” Schlereth said. “These are decisions you have to make as you grow into adulthood.”

Despite all his efforts, it has been a rewarding outcome to be able to celebrate successes as a group. Working in sports media gives Schlereth a platform to celebrate the triumphs of others, both on the field and behind the scenes. As someone who has been a team-oriented professional from the start, he strives to stick to his schedule and never take time for granted.

“For me, one of the coolest things about being a broadcaster or broadcasting games is hanging out with the guys and talking about football and talking about putting together a show, and then ultimately having all these plans and then the ball goes off and I you have no idea where it’s going,” Schlereth said. “That’s exciting.”

Derek Futterman is an editor and sports media reporter for Barrett Media. He has also worked in a wide range of roles in multimedia production – including live game broadcasts and audiovisual platforms – and in digital content development and management. He previously interned at Paramount within Showtime Networks, wrote for the Long Island Herald and served as lead sports producer at NY2C. If you’d like to get in touch, you can find him at X @derekfutterman.