Behind The Mic: NFL Network Announces Christmas Eve Broadcast Lineup; Nicole Briscoe Re-signs to a Multi-Year Contract with ESPN
Story Highlights
Behind the Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this weeks edition, Melissa Stark Woods to work her 100th NFL game; Keegan Michael-Key to host NFL Honors; and more.
Melissa Stark Works 100th NFL Regular Season Game on Sideline This Saturday Night
NFL Network Broadcast Team Announced for New England Patriots-Denver Broncos on Christmas Eve
On Sunday, Dec. 24, the Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots in the Holiday Classic at 8:15 p.m. ET, exclusively on NFL Network.
Rich Eisen and Kurt Warner, along with James Palmer and Sherree Burruss on the sidelines, will call the game on Christmas Eve. In addition to airing on NFL Network, Patriots-Broncos will also be available on local broadcast stations in Boston (WCVB and WMUR) and Denver (KMGH).
Fans can also stream the game across devices with NFL+, the league’s direct-to-consumer offering which is available through NFL digital properties (NFL.com and the NFL app), and on an authenticated basis through NFL Network distributors’ apps and sites and NFL platforms. Live game audio will be broadcast nationally by Westwood One, and carries on SiriusXM, the NFL app and NFL.com.
Pregame coverage Saturday begins at 6 p.m. ET on NFL Network with “NFL GameDay Kickoff” with Colleen Wolfe, Maurice Jones-Drew and Steve Smith Sr. from Los Angeles, along with Rich Eisen, Kurt Warner, James Palmer and Sherree Burruss from Denver. Following the game, Wolfe, Jones-Drew and Smith Sr. host “NFL GameDay Final.”
NFL Network’s programming on Sunday starts at 9 a.m. ET with “NFL GameDay Morning,” hosted by Chris Rose, Michael Irvin, Steve Mariucci, Gerald McCoy, Ian Rapoport, Cynthia Frelund, Kimmi Chex, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero, followed by “NFL GameDay Live” at 1 p.m. ET.
SportsCenter’s Nicole Briscoe Re-signs to a Multi-Year Contract with ESPN
ESPN has signed SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe to a new, multi-year contract where she will continue her hosting duties on SportsCenter, a position she’s been in since January of 2015, along with Baseball Tonight and as a host and reporter on ESPN’s Formula 1 coverage.
In 2021, Briscoe moved from daytime and weekend editions of ESPN’s signature news and information program to the late-night edition. Prior to becoming a SportsCenter anchor, Briscoe was part of ESPN’s coverage of NASCAR as a host and reporter from when she joined the network in 2008.
Briscoe emphasizes the value of longevity in a dynamic industry.
“Longevity is not something to be taken for granted, especially in our business,” she says. “This contract will take me to 20 years at ESPN.”
She expressed sincere appreciation for her role on SportsCenter. “I love our team of smart, funny, invested pros who share a passion for sports and storytelling,” she says. “It’s a job but it never feels like work.”
In 2023, she added new duties as host and pit reporter for ESPN’s telecasts of several races in the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX). In her new deal, Briscoe will continue her role as host of Baseball Tonight, ESPN’s flagship baseball program, and will again report for ESPN news platforms from Formula 1 races in the U.S. and serve as host Formula 1 encore telecasts.
Known for her versatility, Briscoe emphasized her enthusiasm for covering Formula 1 and her involvement in Baseball Tonight. “I find immense joy in covering Formula 1 and being part of Baseball Tonight,” she says. “Our business is always changing. There’s always a chance to grow as well as carve out new roles and find additional opportunities.”
“I’m excited for about the future and look forward to finding new ways to challenge myself professionally.”
Ahmed Fareed to Host Football Night in America on NBC and Peacock for Remainder of 2023 NFL Season
Bally Sports Adds C.J. Nitkowski as Analyst for its Atlanta Braves Telecasts
Bally Sports has hired C.J. Nitkowski as an analyst for its Atlanta Braves telecasts on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeastbeginning with the 2024 MLB season.
Nitkowski will call Braves games alongside second-year play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin. The addition of Nitkowski comes after Jeff Francoeur made the decision to reduce his number of games in the broadcast booth to spend more time with his wife, Catie, and their four children.
“It’s time for me to enter a new season where my family comes first,” says Francoeur. “I will be stepping back from being the Braves lead analyst as my wife and I are experiencing the reality of the years flying by and I want to watch my children chase their dreams. I’m excited for what is ahead and appreciative that Bally Sports will continue to let me call games for the team I’ve always loved.”
Francoeur and MLB Hall of Famer Tom Glavine will each have a similar smaller package of games in the broadcast booth.
“Jeff (Francoeur) came to me at the end of last season and expressed his desire to be around his family more but still be involved with our Braves telecasts and we were happy to accommodate his request,” says Jeff Genthner, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast. “C.J. is a former Braves player and longtime Atlanta area resident. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome C.J. to our Braves broadcast team.”
Nitkowski, a former MLB pitcher, has been an analyst for Texas Rangers telecasts on Bally Sports Southwest since 2017 where he had been nominated for 11 Lone Star Emmy Awards, winning six times. Nitkowski also has national TV experience, working as an analyst in the booth for FOX and FS1 from 2014-19 and in a studio role for FOX and FS1’s highlight, pre, and postgame shows. He is also currently co-hosting Loud Outs, a daily afternoon program with Ryan Spilborghs and Brad Lidge on MLB Network Radio on Sirius/XM.
“My family and I are beyond thrilled to come home and receive this amazing opportunity to join the Bally Sports’ Atlanta Braves broadcast team,” says Nitkowski. “Braves baseball on Bally Sports is one of the most respected telecasts throughout the industry. I am honored that Bally Sports and the Braves have selected me to join their group and continue their tradition of excellence in television broadcasting.”
During his 10-year MLB playing career, Nitkowski pitched for eight different teams, including 22 games with the Braves during the 2004 season. His MLB career lasted from 1995-2005 and included 336 games pitched for Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, New York Mets, Texas, Atlanta, New York Yankees and Washington. He also spent four additional seasons pitching in Japan and Korea. His broadcasting career began in 2013.
A native of Suffern, New York, Nitkowski has lived in Alpharetta for 18 years with his wife, Megan. The couple has three children, Matthew (24), Brooke (22) and Luke (15).
Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast have been nationally recognized by the Cynopsis Sports Media Awards for its coverage of the Atlanta Braves, earning RSN of the Year in 2022 and best seasonal coverage in 2019 and 2020. Gaudin was recently announced as a finalist for the National Sports Media Association Georgia Sportscaster of the Year.
Keegan-Michael Key Returns to Host NFL Honors Presented by Invisalign
Keegan-Michael Key, Emmy and Peabody Award-winning actor, writer and producer, will return to the stage as host of NFL Honors presented by Invisalign, an Align Technology brand, on Thursday, Feb. 8 at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas. The primetime awards special that recognizes the NFL’s best players, performances and plays from the 2023 season will air live at 9 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network and NFL Network and stream on Paramount+ and NFL+.
Keegan-Michael Key is known for his diverse skill set, and wide-ranging talent, in both comedy and drama. Key redefines what it means to be a multi-hyphenate in the worlds of film, television, and theater. The in-demand actor is currently starring in the Warner Bros. film “Wonka” alongside Timothée Chalamet. In addition, he will soon be seen in the animated feature “Migration” produced by Illumination. He recently helmed the show “Schmigadoon” for Apple TV+ as well as “Reboot” for Steve Levitan and Hulu. His bestselling book, “The History of Sketch Comedy,” was just named one of Barnes and Noble’s Best Books of 2023, and his podcast of the same name won the 2022 Webby award for best podcast writing. Both projects were co-written by his partner Elle Key.
Key is hosting NFL Honors for the third time, having previously hosted the 2021 (Los Angeles) and 2017 (Houston) editions. Key is among the list of award-winning talent to host the NFL’s awards show, including Kelly Clarkson, Steve Harvey, Alec Baldwin, Seth Meyers, Rob Riggle and Conan O’Brien.
NFL Honors debuted in 2012 and features the announcement of awards, such as The Associated Press’ annual accolades, the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year presented by Nationwide and the newest Pro Football Hall of Fame Class the week leading up to the Super Bowl.
