Behind the Mic: Telemundo Deportes Announces On-Air Lineup for FIFA World Cup; Doris Burke To Remain at ESPN

Behind the Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week’s edition, Telemundo Deportes releases their star-studded cast of personalities for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Doris Burke and ESPN agree to a multi-year extension, Erin Andrews and Kristina Pink are new additions to the Thursday Night Football crew, UFC strawweight Michelle Waterson joins the broadcast of UFC 225, NBC Sports Boston adds Danielle Trotta, and Fox Sports moves Joy Taylor and Jenny Taft to new roles.

Telemundo Deportes announced its team of commentators and analysts for this summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup, taking place June 14 – July 15. Five-time Emmy award winner Andrés Cantor will lead Telemundo Deportes’ coverage. Former Mexican National Team and Chivas player Manuel Sol will join Cantor (play-by-play) for at least 14 games during the group stage. Renowned soccer commentator and two-time Emmy award nominee Sammy Sadovnik will serve as play-by-play commentator alongside the analysis of experienced sports analyst with four World Cups and nine Champions League finalist Eduardo Biscayart on 12 games throughout the group stage. Copán Álvarez will provide play-by-play alongside the first female analyzing a men’s World Cup Viviana Vila. In addition, Erasmo Provenza will serve as play-by-play commentator alongside former World Cup champion Claudio Borghi.

The team will be joined by soccer experts and special guest analysts including Mexican soccer legend Carlos Hermosillo, one of Uruguay’s best soccer players of all time Diego Forlán, retired Colombian soccer star Juan Pablo Ángel,  retired Argentinean soccer player and sports broadcaster Juan Pablo Sorín,  legendary Peruvian Teófilo “Nene” Cubillas, Costa Rica’s all-time top goal scorer Rolando Fonseca, the first Mexican coach to win a world championship Jesus “Chucho” Ramirez, and the United States U-20 Head Coach Tab Ramos. Referee Horacio Elizondo, will support the commentary teams and analyze all the calls throughout the tournament.

Renowned sports journalists Miguel Gurwitz and Ana Jurka, host of the #1 late night sports show Titulares y Más, will serve as the official hosts, leading the pre and post-game analysis from Russia, and anchoring all the coverage originating from Red Square…

…ESPN announced it has reached a multi-year extension with NBA game analyst Doris Burke. Burke, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Media Award-winning broadcaster, will continue to serve as a full-time NBA game analyst for ESPN — providing commentary throughout the regular season and during the NBA Playoffs each year. In addition to her full-time game analyst role, Burke will continue to serve as reporter for several NBA games, including for ESPN and ABC’s coverage of the NBA Finals and the NBA Conference Finals…

…Fox Sports announced veteran reporter Erin Andrews will pair with Kristina Pink for the NFL’s Thursday Night Football, Presented by Bud Light package as co-reporters this fall. In addition, Andrews and Pink will contribute features to both Fox NFL Kickoff and Fox NFL Sundays. The duo will join seven-time Emmy award-winning broadcaster and lead Fox NFL play-by-play announcer Joe Buck and Pro Football Hall of Famer, three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and lead Fox NFL analyst Troy Aikman. Fox NFL rules analyst, Mike Pereira, will also join the Thursday Night Football broadcast on-site…

…Fox Sports announced changes to its FS1 studio show casts as Joy Taylor will leave Skip and Shannon: Undisputed to be the news anchor for The Herd with Colin Cowherd and Jenny Taft will begin a new role as moderator for Undisputed. The announcement was made today by Whit Albohm, Vice President, Studio Production / Executive Producer, FS1…

… Fox Sports announces No. 7-ranked UFC strawweight contender Michelle Waterson joins retired UFC champion Michael Bisping, retired title contender Kenny Florian and lead UFC host Karyn Bryant for UFC 225: Whittaker vs. Romero 2 on Friday, June 8 and Saturday, June 9…

NBC Sports Boston announced that on-air sports television personality Danielle Trotta will be joining the network. Trotta will play a role in all of the network’s multi-platform programming offerings including her primary role as a new co-host of the network’s nightly studio show Boston Sports Tonight…