List of NFL draft broadcasters
Appearance
The following is a list of broadcasters of the National Football League Draft.
2020s
[edit]Notes
[edit]- 2022 saw the draft head to Las Vegas after a two-year wait. NFL Network saw no personnel changes, but ESPN and ABC took a few hits. ESPN announced that insider Adam Schefter would miss the draft to attend his son's college graduation, and Mel Kiper Jr. would participate virtually because of his COVID-19 vaccination status. Kirk Herbstreit meanwhile, announced himself that he would be dropping out of ABC's draft coverage due to blood clots.
- 2021 saw a return to normal as after a one-year hiatus, NFL Network returned to producing their own coverage of the draft. ESPN and ABC continued to carry separate feeds, one with all the "X's and O's" on ESPN, and the other with the College GameDay crew on ABC. After Wingo left ESPN in 2020, Mike Greenberg, host of Get Up!, took over as ESPN's host for the first two nights, while Davis, who continued as ABC's host, hosted ESPN's coverage of Day 3, which was also simulcast on ABC.
2010s
[edit]Notes
[edit]- 2018 was the first time ever that the draft was carried on broadcast television. As a prelude to their new Thursday Night Football contract, Fox and NFL Network simulcast the first two nights of the draft, with both nights featuring personnel from both NFL Network and Fox.[49] ESPN continued to produce its own coverage of the draft, with ESPN2 simulcasting days 1 and 2, and ABC simulcasting day 3. NFL Network's main set featured the crew of host Rich Eisen, Daniel Jeremiah, draft expert Mike Mayock, and Stanford head coach David Shaw, with Steve Mariucci, Steve Smith Sr., and Fox NFL lead analyst Troy Aikman joining from an outside set for day 1. Other analysts included: Fox College Football lead analyst Joel Klatt, Charles Davis, and Deion Sanders.
- The Fox/NFL Network simulcast would only last one year, as ABC picked up the broadcast television rights for all 3 days of the draft in 2019. ABC's coverage would have the College GameDay crew on days 1 and 2, with Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, joined by 2018 NFL MVP and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and Grammy Award winner Taylor Swift, co-hosting with GameDay host Rece Davis on day 1. Also, on day 1, Swift announced her new single "ME!", featuring Panic! at the Disco's Brendon Urie, being released at midnight ET, with the music video debuting on YouTube at the same time. Day 3 featured the ESPN crew of Trey Wingo, NFL insiders Louis Riddick, and draft experts Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr., hosting ABC's coverage, which was a simulcast of ESPN's coverage.
- In 2010, the NFL moved to a three-day draft with the first day encompassing the first round beginning at 8:00 pm EDT Thursday, the second day encompassing the second and third rounds beginning at 7:00 pm EDT Friday, and third day concluding the process with the final four rounds beginning at 11:00 am EDT Saturday.
2000s
[edit]Notes
[edit]- In 2006, ESPN received competition when the NFL Network, which had launched in October 2003, began to produce its own draft coverage. ESPN pays the NFL a rights fee for the non-exclusive rights to draft coverage, a fee that is included in its overall contract to televise games (ESPN Sunday Night NFL from 1987 to 2005, and Monday Night Football from 2006 to the present).[60]
1990s
[edit]1980s
[edit]Year | Network | Host(s) | Analyst(s) | Draft guru | Reporter(s) | Studio host(s) | Studio analyst(s) | Sportscenter anchor |
1989 | ESPN | Bob Ley and Chris Berman | Mel Kiper Jr. | |||||
1988[63] | ESPN | Bob Ley and Chris Berman | Mel Kiper Jr. | |||||
1987 | ESPN | Bob Ley | Mel Kiper Jr. | Chris Berman | ||||
1986 | ESPN | Bob Ley | Mel Kiper Jr. | Chris Berman | ||||
1985 | ESPN | Bob Ley | Paul Zimmerman[64] | Mel Kiper Jr. | Chris Berman | |||
1984 | ESPN | Bob Ley | Mel Kiper Jr.[65] | Chris Berman | ||||
1983[66] | ESPN | George Grande | Paul Zimmerman and Howard Balzer | Sal Marchiano, Leandra Reilly, and Greg Wyatt | Bob Ley and Chris Berman | Bud Wilkinson | David Sullivan | |
1982 | ESPN | Bob Ley | Chris Berman | |||||
1981 | ESPN | Bob Ley | Chris Berman | George Grande | ||||
1980 | ESPN | Bob Ley and George Grande[65] | Chris Berman[65] |
Notes
[edit]- In 1980, Chet Simmons, president of the year-old ESPN, asked Pete Rozelle if the fledgling network could broadcast coverage of the draft live on ESPN.[67][68] Although Rozelle did not believe it would be entertaining television, he agreed.[69][70] In 1988, the NFL moved the draft from weekdays to the weekend and ESPN's ratings of the coverage improved dramatically.[69][71]
References
[edit]- ^ Dixon, Michael (April 27, 2024). "NFL Draft's first-round coverage sees viewership spike from 2023". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 25, 2024). "2024 NFL Draft broadcast primer". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Movin' to the Motor City: ESPN Departs for Detroit April 25-27 to Present the 2024 NFL Draft Across Multiple Platforms". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2024-04-15. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
- ^ Keeley, Sean (April 26, 2024). "ESPN 2024 NFL Draft review – Molly McGrath, Adam Schefter shine on night one". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Neumann, Sam (April 26, 2024). "NFL Network 2024 NFL Draft Review – League network owns Michael Penix Jr. shocker". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Bucholtz, Andrew (May 1, 2023). "Overall NFL Draft viewership up double digits over 2022". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 27, 2023). "Your 2023 NFL Draft broadcast primer". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Fang, Ken (April 29, 2023). "Viewership for 1st round of NFL Draft is up 13 percent over 2022". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 17, 2023). "ESPN announces 2023 NFL Draft plans, again featuring separate ABC broadcast". Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "ESPN Descends Upon Kansas City April 27-29 to Present the 2023 NFL Draft Across Multiple Platforms". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
- ^ Grant, Michael (April 18, 2023). "NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah previews the 2023 NFL Draft and shares how many bathroom breaks he'll be able to take". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 27, 2022). "Your 2022 NFL Draft broadcast primer". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 18, 2022). "ESPN announces 2022 NFL Draft coverage plans, with Mel Kiper Jr joining remotely and no Adam Schefter". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b "Live from Las Vegas: The Walt Disney Company's Extensive 2022 NFL Draft Coverage Available on ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN Radio, and Multiple Social Networks". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2022-04-18.
- ^ Bucholtz, Andrew (May 4, 2021). "2021 NFL Draft averaged 6.1 million viewers across three days, the third-highest number for that event". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Bucholtz, Andrew (April 30, 2021). "2021 NFL Draft first round averages 12.52 million viewers across ESPN/ABC/NFL Network, the second-highest number ever". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Ways to Watch the 2021 NFL Draft". www.newyorkjets.com. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "ESPN and ABC Announce Commentator Teams for the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "ESPN announces broadcast coverage, commentator lineup for 2021 NFL Draft". Saturday Down South. 2021-03-24. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 29, 2021). "Your 2021 NFL Draft broadcast primer". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 24, 2024). "2020 NFL Draft first round viewership is 15.6 million, far and away a new record". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Casselberry, Ian (April 24, 2020). "ESPN's 2020 NFL Draft telecast: The (very few) gaffes, bizarre scenes, and a mea culpa". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "2020 NFL Draft to be presented across NFLN, ESPN, ABC". NFL.com. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ "Dolphins using gamemanship in draft strategy". ESPN. 23 April 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
- ^ Lucia, Joe (April 24, 2019). "Your 2019 NFL Draft broadcast primer". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Rigdon, Jay (November 26, 2018). "ABC to broadcast all three days of the 2019 NFL Draft in addition to ESPN, will use College GameDay crew". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Keeley, Sean (April 16, 2019). "American Idol's Luke Bryan and Bobby Bones will join ABC's prime-time coverage of the 2019 NFL Draft". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g "ABC and ESPN Announce Commentator Teams for 2019 NFL Draft, April 25-27". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2019-04-04. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ a b Tornoe, Rob (26 April 2019). "How many draft picks did the experts at ESPN and the NFL Network get right?". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Bucholtz, Andrew (April 30, 2018). "While 2018 may be "the most-watched NFL Draft ever," its expansion to broadcast networks was a huge part of that". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Weber, Jim (April 26, 2018). "Your 2018 NFL Draft drinking game". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Putterman, Alex (April 27, 2018). "ESPN tops Fox and NFL Network in the great NFL Draft ratings battle of 2018". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c D'Andrea, Christian (2018-04-26). "NFL Draft 2018: All the broadcast changes this year, explained". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ a b c "NFL expanding television coverage for 2018 NFL Draft". NFL.com. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Weber, Jim (April 24, 2017). "Your 2017 NFL Draft Drinking Game". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Casselberry, Ian (April 28, 2017). "ESPN's 2017 NFL Draft Report Card". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e "ESPN Commentators for 2017 NFL Draft". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2017-04-13. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Deitsch, Richard. "How ESPN, NFL Network will cover 2017 NFL draft". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ Yoder, Matt (April 14, 2017). "Full-time duty for Trey Wingo headlines ESPN's 2017 NFL Draft plans". Awful Announcing.
- ^ Yoder, Matt (April 29, 2016). "ESPN's 2016 NFL Draft Report Card". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Fang, Ken (April 29, 2016). "2016 NFL Draft sees lower overnight ratings on ESPN from last year". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Ruttig, Chase (April 29, 2016). "NFL Network's 2016 draft report card for the first round". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Fang, Ken (May 1, 2015). "2015 NFL Draft ratings down from last year, but still pretty good". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Yoder, Matt (April 16, 2015). "ESPN reveals studio lineup for 2015 NFL Draft coverage". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Rogers, David (May 12, 2014). "2014 NFL Draft is ESPN's highest-rated since 1993". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Yoder, Matt (May 9, 2014). "ESPN draws record overnight rating for Round 1 of the 2014 NFL Draft". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Rogers, David (April 25, 2014). "ESPN announces commentators for 2014 NFL Draft". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Gagnon, Brad (April 14, 2013). "ESPN sticking with the status quo at 2013 NFL draft". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Draper, Kevin (February 14, 2018). "Fox to Broadcast N.F.L. Draft for First Time". The New York Times. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
- ^ Lewis, Jon. "NFL Draft numbers game". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Brian (April 28, 2008). "NFL Draft Media Review: ESPN". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Lewis, Jon. "The ratings game". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Powell, Brian (April 28, 2008). "NFL Draft Media Review: NFL Network". Awful Announcing. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on 2014-01-05. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060428/COLUMNISTS40/104280139 [dead link]
- ^ "Boston.com / Sports / Football / Draft coverage a select process". www.boston.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "USATODAY.com - ESPN ran long with Manning analysis". www.usatoday.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "ESPN.com - LIVERADIOTV - NFL Draft on Tap". ESPN. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "ESPN's layoffs will not even come close to solving the network's issues". The Washington Post. April 27, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2017.
- ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (26 April 1994). "TV SPORTS; Foreman's Fistic Follies (Or, Just What Is Your Point Anyway, George?)". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
- ^ "Altus Times". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
- ^ a b c Vasilogambros, Matt (2016-04-28). "The Roots of NFL Draft Obsession". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
- ^ amcneill1992 (2 October 2010). "1983 nfl draft part 1". Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 23 August 2018 – via YouTube.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "How The NFL Draft Took Over TV". Front Office Sports. April 23, 2023. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ Deitsch, Richard (April 23, 2023). "Media Circus: Memories of the first televised NFL Draft on ESPN, 40 years ago". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Williams, 2006, pp. 52–53.
- ^ Sandomir, Richard "Chet Simmons, a Founding Force of ESPN, Dies at 81" The New York Times, Saturday, March 27, 2010
- ^ Sandomir, Richard (April 22, 1991). "TV SPORTS; ESPN Show Was a Draftnik's Nirvana". The New York Times. Retrieved October 28, 2011.