Mike Tirico
FILE - In this Aug. 24, 2019, file photo, ESPN's Maria Taylor works from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Miami and Florida in Orlando, Fla. Taylor is leaving ESPN after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Taylor had been with ESPN since 2014 but her contract expired Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Her last assignment for the network was Tuesday night at the NBA Finals, where she was the pregame and postgame host for the network's “NBA Countdown” show. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
NBC quickly hires Maria Taylor after her departure from ESPN

By Joe Reedy Jul. 23, 2021 08:28 PM EDT

File-This Feb. 7, 2010, file photo shows New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) celebrating with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Saints' 31-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts in the NFL Super Bowl XLIV football game in Miami. Brees, the NFL’s leader in career completions and yards passing, has decided to retire after 20 NFL seasons, including his last 15 with New Orleans. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, File)
Next play: Brees joins NBC Sports after retiring from NFL

Mar. 15, 2021 11:11 AM EDT

Fedex Field scoreboard displays the Washington Football Team name during warmups before the start of a NFL football game between Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, in Landover, Md. Washington has dumped its 86-year-old team name, handed over an investigation into workplace misconduct to the NFL, seen minority owners and Dan Snyder battle it out in court, coach Ron Rivera battle a form of skin cancer and reached the playoffs on the arm of a quarterback who hadn't played in two years because of an injury that looked career-threatening. All in a few months' work for arguably the biggest soap opera in professional sports with a playoff game against Tom Brady up next. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
Washington in playoffs after tumultuous, whirlwind months

By Stephen Whyno Jan. 06, 2021 06:57 PM EST

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins catches the game-winning touchdown as Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White (27), free safety Jordan Poyer (21) and strong safety Micah Hyde, left, defend during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020, in Glendale, Ariz. The Cardinals won 32-20. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
On Football: From 2020's best play to its weirdest moment

By Barry Wilner Jan. 01, 2021 11:13 AM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo, NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico works the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears in Chicago. Despite last-minute schedule changes, pregame features being done remotely and announcers being separated by more than six feet and plexiglass, networks have been able to weather the challenges of airing games during a pandemic. (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, File)
Behind the screen: How networks have adjusted to airing NFL

By Joe Reedy Dec. 23, 2020 02:40 AM EST

Seton Hall guard Amari Wright (22) dribbles the ball against UConn during the first half of an NCAA basketball game on Tuesday, Dec.15, 2020, in South Orange, N.J. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)
The Latest: 8 German players test positive at world juniors

By The Associated Press Dec. 18, 2020 04:00 PM EST

ESPN officially names Levy, Griese and Riddick for MNF booth

By The Associated Press Aug. 17, 2020 01:28 PM EDT
ESPN's new “Monday Night Football” team of Steve Levy, Brian Griese and Louis Riddick will debut on Sept. 14 when they call the late game between the Tennessee...

The supporter's entrance of the Signal Iduna Park, Germany's biggest stadium of Borussia Dortmund, is closed in Dortmund, Germany, Thursday, May 14, 2020. Bundesliga will now restart on May 16, 2020 when Borussia Dortmund will play the derby against FC Schalke 04 at home without spectators due to the coronavirus outbreak. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
The Latest: Aussie rules football to kick off on June 11

By The Associated Press May. 14, 2020 01:04 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Fox Sports announcer Joe Buck is shown before an NFL football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas. Buck is one of many announcers who has had to trade the press box for a home office. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth, File)
Announcers find ways to keep busy with sports world on hold

By Joe Reedy Apr. 17, 2020 09:34 PM EDT

A large bobblehead of Mike Ditka is seen at Soldier Field before an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019, in Chicago. (AP Photo/David Banks)
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears 9/5/2019

Sep. 05, 2019 06:08 PM EDT

FILE - At left, in an April 24, 2019, file photo, Booger McFarland is seen on the set of ESPN SportsCenter, in Nashville, Tenn. At right, in an Aug. 16, 2018, file photo, Joe Tessitore poses for a photograph before an ESPN telecast of a preseason NFL football game, in Landover, Md. ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” will go with a two-person booth this upcoming season, with Booger McFarland joining Joe Tessitore. ESPN had a three-man commentary team last year. (AP Photo/File)
Tessitore, McFarland return to ESPN's 'Monday Night' booth

By Joe Reedy May. 01, 2019 09:47 AM EDT