NBC’s Mike Tirico will make his NHL play-by-play debut this month. Also: ESPN has parted with Charles Woodson; NBC’s Chris Simms has joined the network full-time; Shannon Spake is Fox Sports’ new NASCAR host.
Tirico to make NHL play-by-play debut
NBC Sports broadcaster Mike Tirico will call the February 20 Red Wings-Blackhawks NHL game on NBCSN, marking his first ever NHL play-by-play assignment. Tirico will work alongside Eddie Olczyk and sideline analyst Brian Boucher.
Tirico has previously served as an NHL studio host, anchoring NBC’s coverage of the Winter Classic and NHL All-Star Game this season. [NBC Sports PR 2.7]
ESPN cuts Woodson
ESPN has parted ways with Sunday NFL Countdown analyst Charles Woodson, bringing an end to his unremarkable three-year run with the network. He announced the news via social media Thursday. Woodson joined ESPN in 2016, shortly after retiring from the NFL. [New York Post 2.7]
Simms joining NBC full-time
NBC NFL analyst Chris Simms will join NBC sports as a full-time pro and college football analyst starting next month, it was announced Thursday. Simms joined NBC in 2017 as a studio analyst for Notre Dame and NFL games. Under his new agreement with the network, will leave his position with Bleacher Report, where he has worked since 2014. [NBC Sports PR 2.6]
Spake to host Fox NASCAR studio
Fox Sports broadcaster Shannon Spake will host the network’s NASCAR studio coverage this season, it was announced last week. She replaces Chris Myers, who will remain a part of Fox Sports’ Daytona 500 coverage. Spake, who joined Fox Sports from ESPN in 2016, has served as host of NASCAR Race Hub the past two seasons, a role she will continue. [Fox Sports PR 2.1]
Correction: original version of this post said Spake has been a pit reporter for Fox, which is not the case.
