Cris Collinsworth will be the only member of Sunday Night Football to add NBC’s new Thursday night package. In other news, ESPN has poached Raul Ibañez from Fox Sports and the network has also hired a new SportsCenter anchor.
Collinsworth to Work Thursday Night Games
- NBC Sunday Night Football analyst Cris Collinsworth will work the network’s Thursday Night Football schedule this season, according to the Miami Herald, making him the only member of the SNF broadcast team to add the nine-game package. Sideline reporter Michele Tafoya asked off of TNF to spend more time with her family and play-by-play voice Al Michaels was reportedly concerned about the extra workload. Collinsworth, who shared Michaels’ concerns, is expected to work alongside incoming NBC hire Mike Tirico and an reporter to be named later. (Miami Herald via Sports Business Daily)
Ibañez Moving From FOX to ESPN
- ESPN has hired Fox Sports MLB analyst Raúl Ibañez to serve in the same capacity on Baseball Tonight and select games, it was announced Wednesday. He will make his debut on Wednesday’s Rangers/Yankees telecast. Ibañez spent all of last season with FOX and worked the World Series as part of the network’s studio team. (ESPN Media Zone)
ESPN Hires New SportsCenter Anchor
- ESPN also announced Wednesday that it has hired NESN host Elle Duncan as a SportsCenter anchor. Duncan, who prior to NESN served as a sideline reporter for Atlanta Hawks games, will make her debut on May 9. (ESPN Media Zone)
