Which Commentator is ESPN Adding to its World Cup Roster?
ESPN today will be making a massive announcement regarding the addition of a new commentator to its World Cup broadcasting team. The press conference is scheduled for 2:30pm ET. But the question is, who is it going to be? All ESPN says is that it’s going to be a “marquee FIFA World Cup personality.”
But who is out there that could be picked? Martin Tyler has already announced as the lead commentator. Andy Gray has been picked up by Fox Soccer Channel for its World Cup analysis. Could ESPN be announcing a US commentator to appease the critics? Or is it a marquee name from international broadcasting? Or could it be an American name that everyone is familiar with but he’s from outside soccer?
UPDATE: ESPN press release just out announces the addition of former German National Team Coach Jurgen Klinsmann to the World Cup 2010 broadcast staff as an analyst.
39 Responses to Which Commentator is ESPN Adding to its World Cup Roster?
My guess is that it’s the American appeaser.
Pele?
It’s probably going to be an American.
Beckham
^^^Correct Answer^^^
Ray Hudson! ESPN needs a berman for every sport.
Please no!!!
Guys — it SHOULD be Paul Dempsey to add some gravitas to their anchor team — in the old days he was a great play by play announcer too before he became one of the main studio guys for the money I guess…at Sky and Setanta. But maybe Dempsey is tied up working for Australian tv like he has been for previous World Cups ???
Beckham is a good guess but my money is on JP Delacamera. Thats who i bet and who i am rooting for.
JP has already been announced to be doing the games for ESPN Radio with Tommy Smyth.
Well, if the choice is indeed going to be “a marquee FIFA World Cup personality”, that eliminates some of your possibilities, i.e. an American or someone outside of soccer.
Knowing how U.S. sports loves nothing more than hype and glam, Becks could be our boy.
It’s definitely Beckham.
Victoria Beckham.
They would definitely find a way to get her in the booth.
“Get her in the booth”
That is some sort of slang term isn’t it?
Hehe.
I would have to think Becks.
But to put a twist on things, it would be awesome if it was someone like John Madden, Marv Albert, Vin Scully, etc. Totally turn the game of football on it’s ear.
Beckham makes sense. He’s supposed to be on Letterman tomorrow night, so he’s likely already in the NYC area. It’s not that far a trip from NYC to Bristol, CT for a press conference.
Becks has been doing the interview circuit in NY all this week. Was on GMA a few mornings ago and mentioned inthe clip on MLS.net, FSC and Sky that he’s been doing other interviews.
Ladies and gentlemen, presenting …
… Mr. Marcelo Balboa.
If it’s John Madden, I’m going to get very, very stabby.
“Now on this next play they’re either gonna shoot the ball or pass the ball. You got your full back coming up the left side, then BOOM! *draws on telestrator* Now, see, the thing about that tackle is that he knocked him to the ground, and that’s good, because you want to knock him down if you’re going to make the tackle.”
ARRGH
If it is Beckham, does anyone have any questions you’d like to suggest that we ask him or ESPN in the press conference?
Cheers,
The Gaffer
“Will you be taking diction and grammar lessons before gearing up for a month of speaking frequently on national television?”
I thought Beckham was suppose to tagging along with the English team so he could be a poster boy for the 2018 bid?
ESPN will actually be broadcasting live from South Africa so it’s conceivable that he can make time for their studio shows and also do some matches.
Yeah, that makes sense, I suppose there’s nothing to stop him doing both jobs if he’s going to be there anyway.
Are ESPN commentators allowed to bring their WAGs? If not Beckham is a “no go”!!
If it is Becks ask him why he won’t be going with the England squad – we need him even when hes injured!
Nope it’s going to be Alan Parry.
Phil Schoen. If ESPN wanted an American who is widely regarded as the best “American” commentator, they should announce his name at this press conference. Don’t know if his GOLtv contractual obligations prevent this or not, but if ESPN are going down the “we need an American commentator to appease the nationals” road, I hope Phil gets his shot in front of millions. He’s definitely earned it.
If it is Phil, ask him if he’ll insist on ESPN bringing on his sidekick Ray, for an extra-special, extra-sensational, [fill in your favorite Ray Hudson superlative] show for South Africa.
Martin Tyler, Andy Gray and maybe Alan Parry, Looks like ESPN wil be turning into SKY for the summer.
Ray Hudson is entertaining, obnoxious, and not needed for the World Cup.
Obviously The Gaffer is actually the new commentator and will be unleashing his mic skills on us.
I don’t think it’ll be Beckham – isn’t he contracted to ITV in the UK?
I think it’s going to be a fairly small name. Someone like Kasey Keller who has done work with the BBC. He can talk a good game.
won’t Keller be playing in the MLS at the time?
I think its going to be Jon Stewart. He’s a soccer fan and he played soccer. Why not have him do the color commentary? He might have a massive knowledge of soccer.
Comedy Central = Viacom = Paramount = enemy of Disney = enemy of ABC
Is there anywhere we can watch or listen to this press conference either on tv or online?
Sadly, no, Jeff. It’s by invitation only from ESPN. As soon as I hear the news though, I’ll post it on EPL Talk.
Cheers,
The Gaffer
James Richardson isn’t doing much of anything these days other than captaining the worlds most popular footie podcast. Studio presenter?
ESPN press release just out announces the addition of former German National Team Coach Jurgen Klinsmann to the World Cup 2010 broadcast staff as an analyst.
They also got Shaun Bartlett and Robbie Mustoe.
maybe John Motson? he retired from the bbc two years ago.