Mike Tirico to host ESPN’s coverage of Euro 2016
Veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico will be the host of ESPN’s Euro 2016 coverage this June before he joins NBC Sports on a full-time basis. According to a statement from ESPN, “Tirico will remain with ESPN through the end of June. He is currently working ESPN and ABC Sports’ NBA Playoff games. Next month he will host studio coverage of the UEFA European Football Championship 2016 in France before joining NBC.” The decision to have Tirico host ESPN’s coverage of Euro 2016 is surprising given that incumbent Bob Ley usually does the honors, as he did during World Cup 2014 when
Veteran broadcaster Mike Tirico will be the host of ESPN’s Euro 2016 coverage this June before he joins NBC Sports on a full-time basis.
According to a statement from ESPN, “Tirico will remain with ESPN through the end of June. He is currently working ESPN and ABC Sports’ NBA Playoff games. Next month he will host studio coverage of the UEFA European Football Championship 2016 in France before joining NBC.”
The decision to have Tirico host ESPN’s coverage of Euro 2016 is surprising given that incumbent Bob Ley usually does the honors, as he did during World Cup 2014 when he was the host of the majority of the tournament except the World Cup Final, which was hosted by Tirico.
SEE MORE: Schedule of Euro 2016 games on US TV and live streaming
Perhaps ESPN want to get as much mileage out of Tirico before he left the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader In Sports?
As for experience, Tirico has been at ESPN/ABC for 26 years (1991-2016), where he established himself as a preeminent broadcaster on properties and events including Monday Night Football, The Open Championship, The Masters, NBA, college football, college basketball, FIFA World Cup, and tennis’ U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He was named the 2010 Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA), an award voted on by his industry peers.
SEE MORE: ESPN announces Euro 2016 TV and streaming coverage plans
Tirico is well liked by most soccer fans as someone who is intelligent, well versed in soccer and a great communicator.
When he begins work at NBC Sports in July, he will work on an array of high-profile properties including Sunday Night Football, NBC’s new Thursday Night Football series, the Summer and Winter Olympics, select golf telecasts, and other big events — so, soccer fans may be able to see him host some of the coverage of the men’s or women’s soccer matches that will be shown live on the NBC Sports networks.
ESPN has not yet announced the other talent that will be working at Euro 2016. An announcement is expected soon.
