Scott Hanson’s ‘NFL RedZone’ talks were ‘a knockdown drag-out negotiation’

“Seven hours of commercial-free football” nearly had a different voice for next season.

Scott Hanson, the host of “NFL RedZone,” questioned if he would return to his role before signing an extension to return for a 17th year.

“There was a time when I thought ‘I don’t know if this is going to happen,’” Hanson said on the “SI Media Podcast with Jimmy Traina” this week. “It was not my intention to have it go that direction. But you have to be willing for that eventuality or that possibility.”

While Hanson did not share the financial details of his new contract, he confirmed that his extension will have him be the face of NFL Network’s “RedZone,” in which he shows live look-ins and every touchdown for seven-plus straight hours on Sundays though at least his 20th season.

The negotiations weren’t easy, though, with Hanson likening himself to an NFL free agent who wants to stay with his current team even as other landing spots see his true value.

“The NFL, as they wont to do, they are very tough negotiators,” Hanson said. “There was quite a knockdown drag-out negotiation, but I’m thrilled to be back. Thrilled that we were able to come to an agreement.”

There was speculation Hanson was considering leaving for NBC after his Olympics whiparound show, “GoldZone.”

Hanson put those rumors to bed.

“My contract was up, that was reported in public. It was coming up, and we were negotiating. That was true,” he said, “There was a feel I was going to leave for NBC. Well, it was conflated with what I did with GoldZone for the Paris Olympics last summer, and the fact that I was and we were in the middle of a negotiation with NBC to come back and do future GoldZones. I think some people got part of the truth and reported that NBC was going to pull Scott Hanson away.”

Instead, he’ll be back to his Sunday touchdown marathons on “RedZone,” with a new season beginning on Sept. 7.