Behind The Mic: ESPN Taps Super Bowl Champion Jason McCourty as NFL Analyst for 2024-2025 Season

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 week’s edition, SEG Media unveils their broadcast team for Utah Hockey Club TV; Dave Wannstedt joins “Sports Sunday” team; and more.

SEG Media Reveals Utah Hockey Club Television Broadcast Team

SEG Media announces the TV broadcast team for Utah Hockey Club that will deliver every moment of on-ice action, along with insider stories of the club beyond in-arena moments, to fans watching in their homes or streaming live, beginning with the club’s inaugural season. Matt McConnell will serve as the TV play-by-play announcer, while Dominic Moore and Nick Olczyk will be TV analysts. Additionally, Kim Becker has been hired as the TV studio host, and Sarah Merrifield will be the rinkside reporter.

“We are thrilled to bring together this talented and experienced team of broadcasters for Utah Hockey Club, who will undoubtedly provide the best possible experience for all fans – providing new insights to our most knowledgeable viewers while also educating and engaging those who are new to hockey,” says Chris Armstrong, president of Utah Hockey Club. “We are confident that their expertise and passion will elevate the viewing experience and help us to build a strong and passionate fanbase.”

Led by Senior Vice President of Broadcasting Travis Henderson, the months-long process to select Utah Hockey Club’s TV broadcast team focused on identifying individuals who not only excel on their own but also complement one another to deliver a seamless and engaging broadcast. The broadcasters ultimately selected to join Utah Hockey Club will elevate the game, create an emotional connection with viewers, and align with the core values of Smith Entertainment Group.

About Utah Hockey Club’s Television Broadcast Team:

• Matt McConnell, Play-by-Play Announcer: Entering his 29th season as a play-by-play broadcaster in the NHL, McConnell previously covered teams including the Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers, Minnesota Wild, and most recently, the Arizona Coyotes. He spent 13 seasons with the Coyotes before the team’s relocation to Salt Lake City. McConnell is a two-time Emmy Winner for his work in Atlanta and was named the 2013 Arizona Sports Broadcaster of the Year.

• Dominic Moore, Analyst: Moore joins Utah Hockey Club after three years as an NHL Analyst for NBC and ESPN, providing insight from the booth, between the benches, and in the studio. Over 13 seasons, Moore played nearly 1,000 NHL regular season and playoff games across 10 different teams. In 2012, he stepped away from hockey to care for his wife, Katie, who passed away after a 9-month battle with a rare form of liver cancer. Moore returned to the NHL in 2014 with the New York Rangers and scored the game-winning goal that sent the club to the Stanley Cup Final. That year, he was awarded the Bill Masterton Trophy for his perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

• Nick Olczyk, Analyst: Olczyk joins Utah Hockey Club after two seasons with the Seattle Kraken as a TV color analyst. He provided in-game commentary from between the benches and during pre- and post-game shows from the studio. In the last two seasons, Olczyk was also a lead analyst and reporter for Sports USA NHL Radio, covering marquee events such as the Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and the NHL playoffs. He has also worked in various behind-the-scenes roles including the Olympic Games and other NHL initiatives.

• Kim Becker, Studio Host: A former competitive figure skater, Becker spent nearly a decade performing with Disney on Ice in over 40 countries before transitioning to a career in sports broadcasting. Since then, she has worked as a Digital Host and Reporter for Sports Illustrated’s FanNation, an in-game host for the Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos, the University of Arizona football program, and as a sports betting host on Altitude TV. Most recently, Becker hosted Avalanche LIVE on Altitude TV.

• Sarah Merrifield, Rinkside Reporter: Merrifield brings a wealth of experience to Utah Hockey Club, having worked as a sideline reporter and pre-game host for Bally Sports, where she covered multiple teams including the Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, and Dallas Mavericks. Her broadcast career began in local sports at KTXS and CBS Austin. Merrifield is a four-time regional Emmy Winner, including two awards for her feature storytelling. She is a graduate of the S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

This season, SEG Media will produce and broadcast all non-nationally exclusive Utah Hockey Club games, including pre- and post-game shows, on over-the-air, local TV station – Utah 16 (KUPX-TV Channel 16), the “Official TV home of Utah Hockey Club” – which is owned by The E.W. Scripps Company, and via a paid, subscription-based streaming service. The broadcast team will debut action for Utah Hockey Club’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Kings at Delta Center on September 23 at 7 P.M. MT. The full broadcast schedule, radio broadcast plan, and details of the SEG Media DTC streaming option for Utah Hockey Club will be announced in the coming weeks.

ESPN Welcomes Super Bowl Champion and NFL Analyst Jason McCourty

ESPN has signed Super Bowl Champion and current NFL analyst Jason McCourty to the same role, further bolstering the company’s roster ahead of the 2024 NFL season. The 13-year NFL veteran will join ESPN’s daytime lineup on select days throughout the season including Get Up, First Take, SportsCenter and NFL Live.

McCourty will make his ESPN debut on Wednesday, September 4, joining host Laura Rutledge and analysts on NFL Live (4 p.m. ET, ESPN) days before the NFL season begins.

Following his selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, McCourty played 13 NFL seasons for four teams – Tennessee Titans (2009-2016), Cleveland Browns (2017), New England Patriots (2018-2020) and Miami Dolphins (2021). As a member of the Patriots, McCourty won Super Bowl LIII, beating the Rams and playing an integral role on a defense which didn’t allow a touchdown in the game.

Following his retirement in 2021, McCourty began a new career as an analyst, first joining NFL Network’s Good Morning Football in 2022 and calling a select number of Thursday Night Football games for Westwood One. In 2023, McCourty was hired as an NFL game analyst for CBS Sports, a role he will continue in throughout the 2024 NFL season.

Former Chicago Bears Head Coach, Dave Wannstedt to Join NBC 5 Chicago’s “Sports Sunday”