Behind The Mic: Drew Brees To Join FOX Sports NFL Roster; NBC Sports Announces Its 2025-26 College Basketball Commentators
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 week’s edition, Kenny Smith will be appearing on First Take and other additional ESPN programming; Telemundo has continued to add to their broadcast roster ahead of FIFA World Cup 26; and more.
Super Bowl XLIV Champion Quarterback Drew Brees Joins FOX Sports as NFL Game Analyst
FOX Sports welcomes legendary quarterback and Super Bowl champion Drew Brees to the FOX NFL roster – teaming up with Adam Amin in the broadcast booth and Kristina Pink reporting from the sidelines. Brees is set to make his debut on Sunday, Nov. 16 on FOX. The announcement was made by FOX Sports President of Production & Operations/Executive Producer Brad Zager.
“Drew is one of the best to ever play the game, and we couldn’t be more excited to have his prolific credentials and unique insights as part of our coverage on Sundays,” says Zager. “We’re thrilled to welcome him to the FOX Sports family.”sa
“I appreciate the opportunity FOX has given me in the booth and with their team,” says Brees. “I hope my passion for this game is reflected in the knowledge and insights I provide to the fans each Sunday.”
Brees announced his retirement from the NFL in 2021 and ranks second all-time in league history in passing yards (80,358) and passing touchdowns (571). In his first year of eligibility, he was also selected as a nominee for the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Most notably during his 15-year career with the New Orleans Saints, Brees led the franchise to its first ever Super Bowl (XLIV) victory, in addition to securing the Most Valuable Player title. The win not only delivered a Lombardi Trophy to the city but, even more importantly, a bright spot in the wake of devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina – an example of the countless storybook moments Brees had both on and off the field.
A fiery competitor and widely considered one of the most accurate quarterbacks to ever play the game, Brees made 13 Pro Bowls during his 20-year professional career and set numerous records at the position, including consecutive regular season games with a touchdown pass (54).
Inside the NBA’s Kenny Smith Will Appear on Additional ESPN Programming, Including First Take, as Part of a New, Multi-Year Agreement
- Primarily contributing to ESPN’s First Take
- Special guest appearance on NBA Countdown November 5th
- To serve as analyst for select NBA games
Former NHL Player Devante Smith-Pelly To Join NHL Network as On-Air Studio Analyst
NHL Network announces that Stanley Cup champion Devante Smith-Pelly will join NHL Network as a studio analyst appearing across its programming. The eight-year National Hockey League veteran, Smith-Pelly, will make his season debut on NHL Network’s NHL Tonight: First Shift live at 4 p.m. ET today, alongside E.J. Hradek. Smith-Pelly will then appear on NHL Tonight on Tuesday, November 4 at 9 p.m. ET with Tony Luftman and Smith-Pelly’s former head coach with the Anaheim Ducks, Bruce Boudreau and on Wednesday, November 5 at 10 p.m. ET with Jamison Coyle and Mike Johnson.
Smith-Pelly says of his new role, “Players always gravitate to NHL Network when they’re playing to check out what’s going on around the league. So, to fast-forward and now have a chance to join the crew and share my experiences and my perspective from the ice to fans across the world is an opportunity I’m extremely excited about. I can’t wait to get started on all the different shows and give my perspective of the current game as I see it.”
Smith-Pelly played for the Ducks (2011-2015), Montreal Canadiens (2015-2016), New Jersey Devils (2016-2017) and Washington Capitals (2017-2019), and won a Stanley Cup in 2018 after scoring a goal in each of the last three games during the Final. Following his time in the NHL, Smith Pelly signed as a free agent with Kunlun Redstar in the KHL.
Earlier this year, 14-year NHL veteran Pat Maroon and longtime centerman Nate Thompson made their 2025 season debuts on NHL Network, also joining as studio analysts.
Steve Novak Joins MSG Networks as Knicks TV Analyst
MSG Networks, the television home of the New York Knicks, announces that popular former Knicks forward Steve Novak will join their broadcast team as an analyst for select Knicks games throughout the 2025-26 NBA season. Novak will fill in for two-time Hall-of-Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier and serve as MSG Networks in-game analyst with Mike Breen or Tyler Murray, beginning Friday night when the Knicks face the Bulls in Chicago.
“I played for nine NBA teams and can honestly say that the two years I played for the Knicks in New York were two of my most memorable seasons in the league,” says Novak. “To have this opportunity to fill in for the legend Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier on select games is remarkable, and I can’t wait to talk Knicks basketball with the great hoop fans in New York.”
Novak joined the NBA in 2006 as the 32nd overall draft pick of the Houston Rockets and played for nine teams during his 11-year NBA career, including the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons for the New York Knicks. Novak led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage (47.2%) in his first campaign with the Knicks. His 11-year career included stops with the Rockets, Clippers, Mavericks, Spurs, Knicks, Raptors, Jazz, Thunder and Bucks.
Novak, who previously served as a game analyst as well as a pre and post-game analyst for FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin (2017-2025), played his college basketball for the Marquette Golden Eagles (2002-2006) and played in the Final Four as a Freshman in 2003. He is second all-time in three pointers made at Marquette.
Knicks fans who do not subscribe to a traditional pay television package can purchase access through a variety of plans on MSG+, MSG Networks’ state-of-the-art streaming service that is now in The Gotham Sports App, which also includes the YES App. MSG+ and the Gotham Sports App areavailable at no additional charge to subscribers of participating pay television providers.
NBC Sports Announces 2025-26 College Basketball Commentators
NBC Sports’ 2025-26 college basketball coverage, which features nearly 200 men’s and women’s games livestreaming exclusively on Peacock across the Big Ten, BIG EAST, and Big 12, tips off next Wednesday, Nov. 5.
NBC Sports’ basketball coverage across the NBA, WNBA, and men’s and women’s college basketball features more than 300 games live on NBC and Peacock in 2025-26.
Among the commentators across men’s and women’s coverage in 2025-26, below are NBC Sports’ primary college basketball voices across play-by-play, game analyst, and studio positions.
PLAY-BY-PLAY (MEN’S)
- Noah Eagle
- Eagle is a play-by-play voice on NBC Sports’ coverage of the NBA and is currently in his third season as the voice of Big Ten Saturday Night calling the weekly primetime Big Ten Football game NBC and Peacock.
- John Fanta
- Fanta will serve as NBC Sports’ lead BIG EAST basketball play-by-play voice and will call Big Ten and Big 12 men’s games, as well as providing game break updates on NBC Sports’ college football coverage and serving as a reporter on NBC Sports’ coverage of the NBA.
- Paul Burmeister
- Burmeister, a former quarterback at Iowa, currently serves as a studio host and play-by-play commentator for NBC Sports across numerous properties.
- Justin Kutcher
- Kutcher, who returns calling games on Peacock, has served as a play-by-play announcer on NFL, NBA, MLB, college football, and college basketball games, as well as the PGA TOUR.
- Noah Reed
- Reed returns to call games on Peacock and has called college basketball, football, volleyball, and softball games on ESPN and FOX Sports.
- Brandon Gaudin*
- Gaudin makes his Peacock debut this season. He has called college football and basketball games for FOX Sports and the Big Ten Network, and is a play-by-play voice for the Atlanta Braves.
- James Westling*
- Westling makes his Peacock debut and has called college basketball and football games for ESPN. He also co-hosts “Big 12 Today” on Big 12 Radio.
- Pete Sousa*
- Sousa, making his debut on Peacock this season, has served as a play-by-play announcer for ESPN since 2022, calling college football, basketball, softball and baseball.
GAME ANALYSTS (MEN’S)
- Robbie Hummel
- A three-time First Team All-Big Ten selection at Purdue, Hummel returns as an analyst on NBC Sports’ college basketball coverage. He is also a game analyst on NBC Sports’ NBA coverage.
- Nick Bahe
- A former guard on Kansas and Creighton, Bahe has also served as a college basketball analyst for FOX Sports and Westwood One.
- Donny Marshall
- A two-time All-Big East member at UConn who spent five years in the NBA with the Cavaliers (1995-97, 1999-2000) and Nets (2001-03), Marshall made his NBC Sports debut as a college basketball analyst last season.
- Tarik Turner
- A former guard at St. John’s, Turner returns as a game analyst on Peacock this season.
- Brendan Haywood*
- A 14-year NBA veteran and two-time All-ACC player at UNC, Haywood makes his debut as a college basketball analyst on Peacock and serves as an NBA analyst for NBA TV.
- King McClure*
- A former guard at Baylor and college basketball analyst for ESPN, McClure makes his Peacock debut this season.
- Mike O’Donnell*
- A former point guard at UCF and NC State, O’Donnell has served as college basketball analyst for CBS Sports and ESPN.
COLLEGE COUNTDOWN STUDIO COVERAGE (MEN’S)
- Ahmed Fareed (host)
- A host and reporter on a variety of sport events and properties across NBC Sports, Fareed hosts Big Ten College Countdown for college football and anchors NBC Sports’ Monday night NBA coverage exclusively on Peacock.
- Jac Collinsworth (host)
- Collinsworth co-hosts Football Night in America — the most-watched studio show in sports — and Peacock Sunday Night Football Final and has covered multiple Olympics with NBC Sports.
- Jordan Cornette (analyst)
- Cornette, the all-time leader in blocked shots (201 in four seasons) and a two-time team captain for Notre Dame, joined NBC Sports in 2023 as a men’s college basketball analyst, regularly appearing on Big Ten College Countdown, and serves as a courtside reporter for the NBA on NBC and Peacock.
- Matt McCall (analyst)
- McCall, the former head coach of Chattanooga and UMass, returns to College Countdown and also serves as an analyst for The Field of 68.
- Calbert Cheaney (analyst)*
- A 13-year NBA veteran (No. 6 overall pick in 1993 Draft), he was a three-time All-American at Indiana and is still the Big Ten men’s all-time leading scorer. Cheaney makes his debut as a college basketball analyst on Peacock this season.
- Evan Turner (analyst)*
- A 10-year NBA veteran (No. 2 overall pick in 2010 Draft), Turner won the 2009-10 Naismith Award, Wooden Award, AP Player of the Year, and was a consensus First-Team All-American at Ohio State.
PLAY-BY-PLAY (WOMEN’S)
- Sloane Martin
- Martin, who calls games on the Big Ten Network and is the radio voice for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, returns to call women’s college basketball games on Peacock.
- Zora Stephenson
- In addition to calling women’s college basketball on Peacock, Stephenson is a sideline reporter on NBC Sports’ NBA coverage and Notre Dame and Big Ten football coverage.
- John Fanta
- Brendan Glasheen*
- Glasheen is a play-by-play commentator for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun and Unrivaled Basketball, and a studio and radio host.
- Kylen Mills*
- Mills serves as a play-by-play voice for a variety of sports on the Big Ten Network, as well as a studio host for NBC Sports Bay Area/California.
GAME ANALYSTS (WOMEN’S)
- Meghan McKeown
- McKeown returns as an analyst for women’s college basketball on Peacock and co-hosts the Got Next with Meghan & Zora podcast alongside Zora Stephenson.
- Kim Adams
- Adams, who has covered men’s and women’s NCAA basketball, the NBA G League and the WNBA as a game analyst, studio analyst and sideline reporter, returns as an analyst on Peacock this season.
- Aja Ellison
- Returning to call games as an analyst on Peacock, Ellison also calls college basketball games for ESPN.
COLLEGE COUNTDOWN STUDIO COVERAGE (WOMEN’S)
- Carolyn Manno (host)
- Manno, a reporter and host at CNN who has worked seven Olympic assignments with NBC Sports, returns as studio host for College Countdown on Peacock.
- Lindsay Czarniak (host)
- Czarniak returns as a host on College Countdown, and has worked five Olympics with NBC Sports. She previously served as host, anchor, reporter and correspondent for NBC Sports, ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS, and CNN.
- Aliyah Boston (analyst)
- Returning for her third season as a studio analyst, Boston is a forward-center on the Indiana Fever and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft out of South Carolina. She is a three-time WNBA All-Star and was named the 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year.
- Meghan McKeown (analyst)
- Aja Ellison (analyst)
- Lisa Bluder* (analyst)
- Making her debut as an NBC Sports analyst this season, 2019 Naismith Coach of the Year Bluder spent 24 seasons as head coach of Iowa, including trips to the NCAA National Championship Game in 2023 and 2024.
Mike Tirico, Maria Taylor, Ahmed Fareed, and Noah Eagle to Work Multiple Events During NBC Sports’ “Legendary February”
NBC Sports announces “Legendary February” assignments for Mike Tirico, Maria Taylor, Ahmed Fareed, and Noah Eagle, who will work multiple events on the networks of NBCUniversal during the month of blockbuster sports programming – highlighted by the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Super Bowl LX, and the 2026 NBA All-Star Game. With three major events across two continents in the span of 17 days (Feb. 6-22, 2026), NBC Sports will provide viewers with extensive coverage in an unforgettable month.
“We are excited to announce these key roles across multiple events as we approach what will be one of the most unique and iconic sports months in media history,” says Rick Cordella, President, NBC Sports. “Complementing our versatile NBC Sports team, we look forward to Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin starring in Olympic hosting roles from the Milan Cortina Opening Ceremony through the first Monday night of the Games. These assignments speak to the quality and depth of our roster and the individuals’ diverse skill set and dedication as well as the unprecedented cooperation across NBCUniversal.”
Beginning with the debut of Sunday Night Basketball on NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1, NBC Sports will present a February feast of must-see events. Following are announce-team highlights:
- Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play of the Super Bowl for the first time on Sunday, Feb. 8 from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif. Immediately following the Super Bowl LX trophy presentation on the field, he will host Primetime in Milan – marking the start of Tirico’s fifth Olympic primetime hosting assignment. After a travel day to Italy, he begins on-location on Tuesday, Feb. 10 as live and primetime host for the duration of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. Tirico opens the month calling the Feb. 1 debut of Sunday Night Basketball as the New York Knicks host the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden.
- Maria Taylor serves as the lead host for the Super Bowl pregame show for the first time on Sunday, Feb. 8. She will also host the Super Bowl LX postgame. Those assignments come one day after Taylor serves as the primetime host of the Milan Cortina Winter Games from Santa Clara, Calif. (Saturday, Feb. 7). After traveling to Italy, Taylor begins Tuesday, Feb. 10 as the late-night host for the duration of the Milan Cortina Winter Games, her fourth NBC Olympics assignment. Taylor begins February hosting the debut of Basketball Night in America at Madison Square Garden ahead of the Lakers-Knicks matchup on Sunday Night Basketball.
- Ahmed Fareed begins his February at the Milan Cortina Olympics – his sixth Olympic assignment for NBC Sports – and will serve as daytime host on Saturday, Feb. 7. One week later, from Feb. 13-15, he will serve as host of NBC Sports’ coverage of NBA All-Star Weekend from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. Fareed will also serve as host of Basketball Night in America on Feb. 22, and Peacock NBA Monday on Feb. 2 and Feb. 23.
- Noah Eagle will call his first NBA All-Star Game on Feb. 15, in addition to calling NBA All-Star Saturday (Feb. 14). One week earlier, he will join NBC Sports’ Super Bowl LX pregame show. Eagle begins the month calling the second game on the Feb. 1 debut night of Sunday Night Basketball, as the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder visit the Denver Nuggets. He will also handle play-by-play for the Feb. 22 Celtics-Lakers Sunday Night Basketball game ahead of primetime coverage of the Milan Cortina Olympics Closing Ceremony.
- As previously announced, TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie will host the Opening Ceremony of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics (alongside Terry Gannon) on Friday, Feb. 6, marking her fourth Opening Ceremony assignment. On Monday, Feb. 9 – the day after Super Bowl LX – Guthrie will host Primetime in Milan.
- TODAY co-anchor Craig Melvin, who at the 2022 Beijing Olympics hosted the middle weekend of late-night coverage and co-hosted a night in primetime, will host the Winter Olympics Late Night Show live from Milan from Feb. 7-9. Melvin previously served as a reporter for NBC Sports during the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Telemundo Expands Deportes Talent Roster Ahead of Landmark Sports Year & FIFA World Cup 26
Telemundo unveils its new, expanded world-class roster of on-air sports talent ahead of a historic year in sports. With Super Bowl LX, the return of the NBA to NBC and Telemundo, and the FIFA World Cup 26 on the horizon, Telemundo Deportes, the leading U.S. Spanish-language sports division of NBCUniversal, brings together the most recognized, respected, and award-winning voices in the industry to guide Hispanic audiences through every unforgettable moment.
“We are proud to introduce a roster that represents the very best and most diverse group of Spanish-language sports commentators in the industry today,” says Joaquín Duro, Executive Vice President, Sports & Head of Streaming, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises. “This exciting new roster features unmistakable voices, household names and experts with unmatched insight who not only cover a wide range of sports, but also connect with our communities, inspire new generations and lead with passion and credibility.”
As the home of the biggest live events and most relevant sports content across platforms, Telemundo Deportes’ expanded commentary lineup enhances coverage across its marquee properties ahead of 2026, and its recently launched daily sports show hosted by Diego Arrioja, Pablo Mariño and Verónica Rodríguez, El Pelotazo, airing at midnight on Telemundo and outperforming the competition since premiering in March. Some highlights include:
FIFA WORLD CUP 26
The world’s most anticipated sporting event will once again be led by legendary broadcasters Andrés Cantor and Luis Omar Tapia, two of the most recognized voices in global fútbol. Carlota Vizmanos and Miguel Gurwitz will anchor the network’s coverage alongside the entire soccer team and an extended roster of expert analysts and former players, joining former FIFA referee Jaime Herrera. Full World Cup expert lineup to be announced at a later date.
As the exclusive Spanish-language home of FIFA World Cup 26, Telemundo will broadcast all 104 matches live—92 on Telemundo and 12 on Universo—with every match streaming live on Peacock and the Telemundo app. Coverage will originate from across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, featuring on-site talent, in-depth reporting and dynamic studio shows.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Telemundo continues to serve as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the best soccer league in the world across Telemundo, Universo and Peacock. Coverage is led by host Vizmanos, including the network’s signature pre- and post-game shows, Premier League Extra and Tercer Tiempo. The expanded soccer commentary team features the addition of the network’s lead soccer analysts, Diego Balado and Omar Zerón.
LIGA MX
Telemundo’s Liga MX coverage now includes the home matches of Tigres and Juárez, both men’s and women’s teams, joining Chivas de Guadalajara in the network’s robust lineup. José Luis López Salido leads play-by-play with analysis from Jorge Calvo. Emmy Award winners Adriana Monsalve and Gurwitz anchor the Fútbol Estelar Liga MX Extra pre- and post-game shows across Telemundo, Universo and Peacock.
SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL & SUPER BOWL LX
As part of Telemundo’s exclusive Spanish-language Sunday Night Football package, the network is set to deliver coverage of Super Bowl LX with Gurwitz on play-by-play and former NFL player Rolando Cantú providing expert analysis. Emmy-winning presenter Monsalve will host live from Santa Clara, joined by Arrioja reporting from the sidelines.
NBA ON TELEMUNDO
The highly anticipated return of the NBA to Telemundo will be led by legendary play-by-play announcer Álvaro Martín alongside expert analysts Greivis Vásquez, former NBA player and Venezuelan national team standout, and Balado, one of the most respected voices in international sports commentary. The trio will debut on Saturday, Nov. 1, calling the NBA Mexico City Game between the Dallas Mavericks and Detroit Pistons, with Vásquez courtside from Arena CDMX, airing LIVE at 10 p.m. ET on Telemundo and Universo.
TELEMUNDO DEPORTES AHORA
Launched earlier this year in August, Telemundo Deportes Ahora is a 24/7 Spanish-language Sports FAST channel with more than 50 hours of new Spanish-language content weekly, including original and live programming and events. Carmen Boquín anchors the coverage with the support and contribution from the entire roster of Telemundo Deportes award-winning talent.
Telemundo Deportes Ahora continues to grow with new properties debuting this November 2025, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 – with commentary led by veteran play-by-play Copán Álvarez, FIFA legend Isabella Echeverri and professional coach Natalia Astrain – as well as Pickleball World Cup and the Argentine, Brazilian, Chilean and Uruguayan Basketball leagues.
Telemundo Deportes Talent Roster
Talent roster listed below in alphabetical order.
- Adriana Monsalve – Studio Host, Soccer & NFL – Emmy-winning bilingual anchor known for her energy, expertise, and powerful storytelling.
- Alejandro Berry – Studio Host, Soccer, NBA & NFL – Sports broadcaster with more than two decades of experience covering professional and international soccer with deep insights into the sport and seasoned storytelling.
- Álvaro Martín – Play-by-Play Announcer, NBA – The Spanish-language voice of the NBA, bringing over three decades of experience and a signature commentary style.
- Andrés Cantor – Lead Play-by-Play, Soccer – Eight-time Emmy Award winner and Hall of Fame broadcaster, the iconic voice of the FIFA World Cup™ and global soccer.
- Carlota Vizmanos – Studio Host, Soccer – Leads Premier League and World Cup studio coverage, blending European broadcast experience with sharp analysis.
- Carmen Boquín – Anchor, Telemundo Deportes Ahora – Brings journalistic depth and charisma to Telemundo Deportes Ahora daily shows, following acclaimed World Cup and Olympic coverage.
- Copán Álvarez – Play-by-Play Announcer & Studio Host, Soccer – Veteran journalist with two decades covering the world’s biggest sporting events.
- Diego Arrioja – Host Reporter & Reporter, Soccer, El Pelotazo & NFL – Emmy-winning journalist delivering in-depth storytelling from Sunday Night Football sidelines and studio shows.
- Diego Balado – Analyst, Soccer & NBA – Internationally respected analyst with 30 years of experience and expert insight across FIFA and NBA coverage.
- Greivis Vásquez – Expert Analyst, NBA – Former NBA and Venezuelan National Team player and Emmy-winning broadcaster known for his on-court perspective and global outlook.
- Isabella Echeverri – Expert Analyst & Studio Contributor, Soccer – Olympian and FIFA Legend offering expert commentary on women’s soccer, drawing from her Colombia National Team experience.
- Jaime Herrera – Expert Commentator & Contributor, Soccer – Former FIFA referee and Emmy Award winner providing insider officiating insight and analytical depth.
- Jorge Calvo – Play-by-Play & Color Commentator, Soccer – Four-time Emmy Award winner delivering play-by-play and analysis across Telemundo Deportes properties.
- José Luis López Salido – Play-by-Play Announcer, Soccer – Veteran Mexican commentator with more than 30 years covering elite international events.
- Luis Omar Tapia – Lead Play-by-Play, Soccer – Household name with three decades of experience and global recognition for UEFA Champions League coverage.
- Miguel Gurwitz – Sports Anchor & NFL Play-by-Play – Emmy-winning anchor bringing versatility and leadership to Telemundo’s global sports coverage.
