NBC Sports Adds Mike Tirico To Its On-Air Roster

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

NBCSN confirmed Monday that it has signed former ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico, who will begin his duties at the company July 1.

Tirico, longtime ESPN Monday Night Football announcer, will work NBC’s Sunday Night Football and Thursday Night Football telecasts, as well the Summer and Winter Olympics and select golf telecasts.

“We’re thrilled to have Mike Tirico as part of the NBC family. He is an elite play-by play announcer and host, and those two skills give us a versatile talent that can do just about anything in our shop,” NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said during a Monday afternoon conference call.

Tirico joins ESPN commentator Skip Bayless – who is reportedly joining Fox Sports -- as the latest on-air personalities to leave the 24-hour sports network over the past year. 

Shortly after the announcement, ESPN named longtime on-air personality Sean McDonough as Tirico's replacement on its Monday Night Football telecasts.  

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.