Mike Tirico, one of ESPN’s best known on-air voices, is leaving the network for NBC, according to several sources. Tirico has been a mainstay with ESPN since '91, and given his many roles at ESPN, he will be an incredibly difficult talent to replace. Tirico has been ESPN's on-air face of the NFL, serving as the lead play-by-play announcer for “MNF” since '06. A source says that Sean McDonough, who recently renewed his deal with ESPN, is a leading candidate to replace Tirico on "MNF," though no decision has been made yet. NBC would not comment on the move, with a spokesperson saying that the net does not comment on people under contract with another outlet. A versatile broadcaster, Tirico also heads up ESPN’s second NBA broadcast team and will continue to call games through this year's playoffs, as his current deal ends this summer. He also has called college basketball and football games and led ESPN’s golf and tennis coverage. Tirico is expected to be the lead play-by-play voice on NBC’s new “TNF” package of five late-season NFL games. It is unclear what his other roles will be at NBC, where Al Michaels is the lead play-by-play voice for the network’s signature “SNF” package, and Bob Costas is an established Olympics host, having been selected as primetime host for a record 11th Olympics including this summer's Rio Games. Michaels has two years left on his NBC contract, which runs through '17. NBC’s golf portfolio -- the network has deals with the PGA Tour and British Open -- also are attractive to Tirico, who is known to be a big golf fan. Tirico is repped by Sandy Montag (John Ourand, Staff Writer).
NUMEROUS POSSIBILITIES: SI.com's Richard Deitsch wrote the possibilities for Tirico at NBC "are massive." Tirico could "eventually call a Super Bowl, something that he wouldn't have been able to do at ESPN." He also could possibly "replace Costas as the primetime host of the Olympics." While Costas will host the Rio primetime broadcasts, NBC execs "admitted two years ago that they have been thinking of a long-term succession plan." Tirico "would logically have a role" in NBC's golf coverage, and he "could also help NBC Sports Radio, which has very little national relevance at the moment" (SI.com, 4/25). In Miami, Barry Jackson reported Tirico is "positioned to succeed Michaels when Michaels eventually retires, should NBC retain NFL rights longterm." NBC Sports Group Chair Mark Lazarus last month during the NFL owners meeting said Michaels and "SNF" analyst Cris Collinsworth "were both concerned about the added workload" the "TNF" games would provide. Lazarus said that one of the two "had more concerns than the other." While he declined to say which one, Jackson noted Collinsworth "will do the entire Thursday and Sunday packages" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 4/25). GOLFWEEK's Kevin Casey noted NBC can provide Tirico "enhanced golf broadcasting opportunities," though it remains unclear "what that role could be." Tirico has been ESPN's top golf play-by-play announcer, but that spot "has been occupied at NBC for the last 17 years by Dan Hicks" (GOLFWEEK.com, 4/25).
