Jim Nantz To Stay at CBS Under New Deal, Fox Sports Gets Set for 2021 MLB Season With Deep On-Air Team

Behind the Mic offers a roundup of current information relating to on-air expertise, together with new offers, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and experiences across the {industry}. On this week’s version, Jim Nantz will keep at CBS on a brand new Fox Sports activities reveals its MLB broadcast groups for the 2021 season, ESPN and ABC reveal their on-air groups for the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland, and extra.

Jim Nantz Stays at CBS With New Deal

Jim Nantz will probably be staying at CBS. In response to SportsBusiness Journal’s John Ourand, the community’s prime announcer signed a brand new deal to remain on the community for an undisclosed variety of years, in line with each CBS Sports activities and Nantz’s agent Sandy Montag.

The Walt Disney Firm’s staff of veteran hosts, analysts, and insiders will current the 2021 NFL Draft reside coast-to-coast from Cleveland starting Thursday, April 29, at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ESPN and ABC. For the third consecutive 12 months, ESPN and ABC will present distinct prime-time shows on Day 1 and a couple of. ESPN will once more supply the standard draft telecast – a mixture of X’s and O’s evaluation, participant highlights and storytelling – whereas ABC, that includes the eleven-time Sports activities Emmy Award-winning School GameDay Constructed by The Dwelling Depot crew, will cowl the occasion with an emphasis on the person journeys of NFL Draft prospects.

On ESPN, Mike Greenberg will debut as host mere months forward of his twenty fifth firm anniversary. Greenberg will lead ESPN’s forty second NFL Draft on Day 1 and a couple of with senior NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., protecting his thirty eighth draft, and NFL analysts Louis Riddick, his seventh, and Booger McFarland, his third. ESPN’s occasion protection may also function Senior NFL Insiders Chris Mortensen, protecting his thirty first draft, and Adam Schefter, his twelfth, and NFL host Suzy Kolber, who will cowl the occasion for the 18th 12 months and interview draftees.

On ABC, 25-year firm veteran Rece Davis, who just lately signed an ESPN extension, and Maria Taylor, a number one voice throughout school sports activities and on NBA Countdown, will co-host the prime-time broadcasts on Day 1 and a couple of. Davis will cowl the occasion with school soccer analysts Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, returning for his or her fourth draft, and senior NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, his twelfth. From a close-by set, Taylor, protecting her fourth draft, will anchor with school soccer analyst and third-year draft commentator Jesse Palmer. School soccer analyst David Pollack, returning for his fourth draft, may also present insights alongside his School GameDay teammates.

On Day 3, Davis will host the 2021 NFL Draft on ESPN and ABC with Kiper, McShay, Riddick, Mortensen, and Schefter.

On ESPN Radio, Dari Nowkhah will host with NFL Entrance Workplace Insider Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN Radio’s Bart Scott (Day 1 and a couple of), NFL Draft analyst Jim Nagy (Day 3), and reporter Ian Fitzsimmons.

On ESPN Deportes, Eduardo Varela and Pablo Viruega will present occasion protection in Spanish. (ESPN)

Legendary Fox Sports activities Broadcaster Dick Stockton To Retire After Illustrious 55-12 months Profession

Dick Stockton, acclaimed Fox Sports activities play-by-play announcer and one of the iconic voices in sports activities broadcasting historical past, is retiring after an illustrious 55-year TV profession that encompassed at the very least 1,545 community tv video games throughout the massive 4 skilled sports activities leagues within the U.S. — NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL — greater than any American sports activities broadcaster ever.

Stockton, whose signature voice transcended not solely sports activities genres however generations of followers, joined Fox Sports activities in 1994 and has been with the community ever since, serving as play-by-play announcer for NFL, MLB and school basketball.

The Fox Sports activities linchpin steps away from fulltime broadcasting after celebrating his twenty seventh 12 months of NFL on Fox in 2020, with 714 NFL video games to his credit score, the second-most of any. He has labored with and mentored almost each single NFL analyst who has risen by the Fox Sports activities ranks.

Stockton’s excellent work earned a number of awards and recognition through the years, most just lately with the announcement he was voted into the Nationwide Sports activities Media Affiliation’s Corridor of Fame as a primary balloter. Stockton’s accolades additionally embrace: the 2001 Curt Gowdy Digital Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Corridor of Fame; a CableAce nomination for his NBA work for TNT in 1997; and the celebrated Sonny Hirsch Excellence in Sports activities Broadcasting Award in 2016, named after the longtime voice of the Miami Hurricanes and honoring an excellent sports activities broadcaster who has had a significant impression of their subject, whereas making notable accomplishments throughout the neighborhood. Moreover, Stockton was named one of many top-50 community sportscasters of all time by the American Sportscasters Affiliation in 2009.

Thought of one of the versatile broadcasters in historical past, Stockton’s huge resume contains 17 years at CBS Sports activities and 19 years protecting the NBA Playoffs for Turner Sports activities, along with a play-by-play function for TBS’ protection of MLB postseason. Stockton additionally served as Turner Sports activities’ voice for normal season and NBA playoff video games from 1995-2013. He known as a complete of 617 NBA video games, the fourth-most for a play-by-play announcer.

Previous to becoming a member of Fox, Stockton labored for CBS Sports activities, calling a wide range of sports activities together with the NFL, NBA (lead play-by-play from 1982-‘90), MLB and school basketball (lead play-by-play for NCAA Regional Finals), along with the World Swimming and Diving Championships, championship boxing, observe and subject, the Pan American Video games and the Olympic Video games. Earlier in his profession, NBC tapped him to cowl NFL video games and NCAA event basketball. Moreover, he known as play-by-play for Oakland A’s video games for KRON-TV in San Francisco.

He additionally was assigned the Winter Olympics Males’s Snowboarding occasions in France in 1992 and the 1994 Norway Video games’ speed-skating occasions for CBS. Within the latter capability, Stockton known as the Gold Medal-winning performances by velocity skaters Dan Jansen and Bonnie Blair, moments he considers among the many highlights of his profession.

Stockton additionally known as six Tremendous Bowls for the NFL Community’s worldwide broadcast between 2002 and 2008, starting with the Patriots’ upset of the Rams in Tremendous Bowl XXXVI alongside Fox NFL analyst Daryl “Moose” Johnston. Stockton teamed with Johnston 4 occasions, and Fox Sports activities lead NFL analyst Troy Aikman and Sterling Sharpe as soon as every for the worldwide broadcast. (Fox Sports)

Drew Brees Formally Joins NBC Sports activities

Drew Brees, one of many best gamers in NFL historical past, is becoming a member of NBC Sports activities as a studio analyst for Soccer Night time in America and as a recreation analyst for its protection of Notre Dame Soccer. Brees may also work on a lot of NBC Sports activities’ largest occasions, together with the Olympics and Tremendous Bowl LVI.

Throughout a 20-year NFL profession as quarterback with the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers, Brees amassed an unprecedented assortment of data, milestones and accolades, each on and off the sphere. He led the Saints to victory in Tremendous Bowl XLIV and was named the sport’s MVP. He was chosen to 13 Professional Bowls, received two Offensive Participant of the 12 months awards, is the NFL’s all-time chief with 80,358 profession passing yards, ranks second all-time with 571 profession passing touchdowns and shattered the league document with a landing go in 54 consecutive video games.

Brees has been simply as prolific off the sphere. He and his spouse, Brittany, established the Brees Dream Basis in 2003, which has contributed greater than $45 million to assist enhance the standard of life for most cancers sufferers and supply care, training and alternatives for youngsters and households in want. In 2006, Brees received the Walter Payton NFL Man of the 12 months Award, one of many league’s highest honors that acknowledges a participant for his excellence on and off the sphere. (NBC Sports)

ESPN Emphasizes Dedication to Journalism with Re-Signing of Versatile Reporter John Barr to Multiyear Contract Extension

Emphasizing its dedication to high quality journalism, ESPN has re-signed award-winning reporter John Barr to a multiyear contract extension that can embrace expanded reporting duties throughout ESPN platforms.

Barr, who relies within the Philadelphia space and joined ESPN in 2003, will proceed as a part of ESPN’s Enterprise Unit, protecting breaking information, investigative and human curiosity tales for ESPN.com, Outdoors the Traces and E60. As well as, as a part of his expanded duties, Barr will work with ESPN’s bureau group on tales for SportsCenter and different ESPN platforms. (ESPN)

Stephen Nelson Named New Co-Host of MLB Community’s Intentional Discuss

Stephen Nelson has been named the brand new co-host of MLB Community’s Intentional Discuss introduced by loanDepot. Nelson, who has visitor co-hosted since becoming a member of MLB Community in 2018, joined Kevin Millar in his official function on Thursday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Nelson has hosted studio exhibits throughout MLB Community’s programming the final three seasons, together with on The Rundown, MLB Now, Intentional Discuss, and MLB Tonight. Nelson has additionally known as play-by-play for MLB Community Showcase, MLB Sport of the Week Stay on YouTube, and the 2018 Japan All-Star Collection for MLB Worldwide. Nelson joined MLB Community from Bleacher Report, the place he served as a studio and subject host protecting all kinds of sports activities. (MLB Network)

ESPN Re-Indicators Main League Baseball Nationwide Reporter Marly Rivera to Multi-12 months Extension

ESPN has re-signed MLB Nationwide Reporter Marly Rivera to a multi-year extension. Rivera, who has been with ESPN since 2011, will function a reporter on ESPN’s nationwide weeknight MLB recreation telecasts and studio programming corresponding to SportsCenter. She may also be a daily contributor to numerous ESPN Radio exhibits, podcasts and digital platforms, and stay a part of ESPN’s worldwide programming.

Recognized for her in depth connections and excellent entry to gamers and groups, Rivera has offered in-depth protection of all main sports activities in New York for near twenty years, with a concentrate on Main League Baseball and the New York Yankees. Most just lately, Rivera has been a key reporter all through ESPN’s 2021 spring coaching protection. She additionally has coated a wide range of cornerstone MLB occasions together with the historic 2016 exhibition recreation in Havana, Cuba and the 2015 “Roberto Clemente Day.” In 2018, Rivera was a subject reporter for ESPN Wednesday Night time Baseball recreation at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in her hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico. She additionally contributed to ESPN’s 2019 Dwelling Run Derby protection. (ESPN)

Seven-Time Emmy Award Winner Alanna Rizzo Rejoins MLB Community

Seven-time Emmy Award winner Alanna Rizzo has rejoined MLB Community’s roster of on-air personalities. Starting on Friday, April 2, Rizzo will function a daily contributor to Excessive Warmth with Christopher Russo introduced by Liberty Mutual, weekdays reside at 1:00 p.m. ET. Rizzo will present information and commentary on the most recent MLB storylines throughout Excessive Warmth, which is in its eighth 12 months on the air. Following two seasons with MLB Community from 2012 by 2013, Rizzo spent the final seven seasons as an in-game reporter and host for SportsNet LA’s protection of the World Collection champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

As a part of the unique broadcast staff for SportsNet LA’s launch in 2014, Rizzo coated the Dodgers’ three journeys to the World Collection in 2017, 2018 and 2020. For her SportsNet LA work, Rizzo most just lately received the 2020 Southern California Sports activities Broadcasters Affiliation’s TV Reporter Award. Previous to SportsNet LA, Rizzo contributed throughout MLB Community’s studio and on-site programming, together with Intentional Discuss, Fast Pitch, the 2012 MLB All-Star Sport and the 2013 MLB All-Star Sport. Rizzo’s baseball broadcast profession started with ROOT Sports activities Rocky Mountain, the place she served as an in-game reporter and host for its protection of the Colorado Rockies. (MLB Network)

Multi-Platform Host & Reporter Charly Arnolt Joins ESPN Full Time as A part of Multi-12 months Contract Extension

Multi-platform host and reporter Charly Arnolt will probably be becoming a member of ESPN on a full-time foundation starting in early April as a part of a brand new, multi-year contract extension with the community. Arnolt – who just lately launched the weekly ESPN Podcast First Take, Her Take alongside Kimberley A. Martin and Chiney Ogwumike – will proceed to have a big function throughout lots of the community’s different signature manufacturers as effectively.

Along with First Take, Her Take, Arnolt will proceed to contribute to pick editions of ESPN’s morning debate present First Take and the community’s signature information and knowledge present, SportsCenter. Arnolt will often seem on ESPN+’s weekday morning present, SportsNation together with different digital exhibits throughout the industry-leading sports activities streaming service as effectively. (ESPN)

Showtime Sports activities and Bellator MMA Announce Telecast Group for Friday, April 2 Debut

Showtime Sports activities and Bellator MMA have set the announce staff for the promotion’s debut on the premium tv community, Showtime, on Friday, April 2 at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Veteran play-by-play announcer Mauro Ranallo will host the collection and name the motion alongside MMA’s most well-known referee-turned analyst “Massive” John McCarthy. Extra evaluation and reporting will probably be offered by MMA sportscaster and tv persona Jenn Brown and former STRIKEFORCE world champion Josh Thomson with particular visitor contributions from Bellator’s undefeated featherweight contender A.J. McKee.

With over 35 years of sportscasting expertise, Ranallo has offered the audio observe for lots of the most iconic moments in fight sports activities historical past. Lending his voice to a wide range of combats sports activities and leisure occasions together with WWE, NJPW, PRIDE FC, STRIKEFORCE and Showtime Championship Boxing, together with Bellator Kickboxing and Bellator MMA, Ranallo has confirmed to be one of the versatile, prolific and educated broadcasters in sports activities.

There are few folks on the planet with extra “cage time” than John McCarthy. The world-renowned referee stepped out of the cage and into the Bellator announcers’ sales space in 2018, bringing with him an intricate stage of data as each a former referee and a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. McCarthy additionally possesses a robust understanding of the Unified Guidelines of MMA, contemplating he was an enormous contributor to their creation.

Triller Battle Membership Assembles All-Star Commentator Group for Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren on April 17

The printed group that can name the inaugural Triller Battle Membership 2021 occasion on April 17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta will embrace SNL star Pete Davidson, media persona and host of NBC’s Entry Hollywood Mario Lopez, supermodel Taylor Hill, and web stars Dixie and Charli D’Amelio. They’ll be part of Triller Battle Membership co-owner Snoop Dogg in addition to veteran boxing voices Ray Flores, Al Bernstein, and Mike Coppinger creating an unprecedented commentating staff for the occasion.

Emmy-winning filmmaker Bert Marcus (Netflix’s critically acclaimed The American Meme, HBO’s Emmy award-winning The Apollo and up to date Cannes-lauded Bull) is main Triller’s re-imagining of boxing as a brand new type of cinematic leisure. Together with Marcus, government producer Malea Rose may also oversee and execute Triller Battle Membership’s general artistic imaginative and prescient. (PR Newswire)