Fox Sports has hired former NBC Sports voice John Strong for its MLS coverage. In other news, NBC figure skating analysts Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir will contribute to the Super Bowl pregame, and a longtime ESPN executive is retiring.
Strong Joins Fox Sports As MLS Voice
- Soccer broadcaster John Strong has joined Fox Sports as its lead play-by-play voice for Major League Soccer. Strong previously held the same position for former MLS rightsholder NBC Sports and served as the local voice of the Portland Timbers. As part of his new deal, Strong will also call this year’s Women’s World Cup and other soccer events on the FOX family of networks. (Fox Sports)
Lipinski and Weir Join NBC’s Super Bowl Pregame
- NBC Sports figure skating analysts Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir will contribute to NBC’s Super Bowl 49 pregame show. The duo, which gained social media popularity during last year’s Winter Olympics, will interview celebrities at the NFL’s official ‘Tailgate Party.’ Lipinski and Weir served in a similar capacity during last year’s Kentucky Derby coverage. (NBC Sports Group Press Box)
ESPN Executive Walsh to Retire
- ESPN EVP and executive editor John Walsh is retiring effective February 1, according to the author James Andrew Miller. Walsh has been with ESPN since joining the company as managing editor in 1988 and has served as executive editor since 1990. (twitter.com/jimmiller via Sports Business Daily)
