Each and every year the broadcast team for Monday Night Football draws significant attention, and often times scrutiny, from around the media world. This year, ESPN has decided to cover the weekly game a little differently.
On Monday afternoon, the Worldwide Leader announced that it would be making its usual Monday Night Football broadcast a MegaCast in 2021. Even more notably, ESPN revealed that the announcing team would feature brothers Peyton and Eli Manning, through a partnership with Peyton’s media company, Omaha Productions.
The two former NFL quarterbacks will add to the normal broadcast by appearing on ESPN2 in a supplementary role for 10 games during the 2021-22 season. The brothers’ section of the MegaCast will feature live interviews with retired and current athletes, as well as celebrities, and is meant to give a glimpse into what it would be like to watch an NFL game in the Manning household.
“Offering multiple Monday Night Football viewing options for the next three seasons continues our innovation efforts and provides additional value for our fans,” Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman of ESPN and Sports Content, said in an official release. “Peyton and Eli will bring a different approach, delving into conversation about broader, big-picture topics while also honing in on the game, much like fans do when watching with their family and friends.”
🚨 Monday Night Football MegaCast Announcement 🚨
ESPN & The @WaltDisneyCo announce a new partnership with Peyton Manning & Omaha Productions
Headlined by an alternate #MNF telecast featuring by Peyton & @EliManning
More: https://t.co/VZtmghr1lV pic.twitter.com/EHBZo0MSrV
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) July 19, 2021
The Worldwide Leader will keep its announcing team from the 2020 regular season together to continue to give those that want it a more traditional broadcast on ESPN and occasionally ABC. Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry are all slated to return to their roles from last year.
Fans and media members were surprised by ESPN’s announcement, welcoming the Manning brothers into the fold. The reaction was fairly mixed, with some elated at the broadcast duo and others unimpressed.
Hell yes https://t.co/eoFaCOyUV5
— Anthony Romano (@ARomanoWDBJ) July 19, 2021
This could be really fun https://t.co/1sL2KnD73h
— Dave Griffiths (@DaveG_Sports) July 19, 2021
Bring MNF to Omaha. https://t.co/Ert7Hx5dRx
— Mitch Sherman (@mitchsherman) July 19, 2021
We are absolutely getting Bill Walton with both Mannings in the first three weeks of the season. https://t.co/i68g6IxGaB
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammFreePress) July 19, 2021
No one asked for this. https://t.co/R3SHm6XlqW
— Kevin Arsenic and Old Shanks (@forensictoxguy) July 19, 2021
If you asked me one thing Eli Manning would be in his post career, broadcaster wouldn’t be in the Top 10.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 19, 2021
ESPN’s idea to bring the Manning brothers in is fascinating, as both have proven to demonstrate extensive knowledge of the game over the years. Whatever the two put together for television should at least prove entertaining.
Fans can tune-in to ESPN2 later this fall to watch Peyton and Eli Manning on the network’s MegaCast of Monday Night Football.
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