ESPN names crew for Monday Night Football

DD · 02-08-2006, 12:32 PM

ESPN Names Crew for Monday Night Football

By Associated Press

<SCRIPT type=text/javascript>document.write(getElapsed("20060208T154 805Z"));</SCRIPT>42 minutes ago<NOSCRIPT>UPDATED 31 MINUTES AGO</NOSCRIPT>
BRISTOL, Conn. - Former quarterback Joe Theismann, Washington Post columnist Tony Kornheiser and Mike Tirico will be the broadcast crew for "Monday Night Football" next season as the long-running show shifts to ESPN from ABC.

The moves leave Al Michaels free to switch to NBC, which takes over Sunday night games next season from ESPN. John Madden, Michaels' broadcast partner for the last four seasons, agreed in June to a six-year contract with NBC.

At a news conference in July, Michaels said he would remain with "Monday Night Football" when it switched to ESPN. He was to be paired with Theismann, who had broadcast Sunday night games on ESPN with Mike Patrick and Paul Maguire.

Mike Breen will replace Michaels as the lead NBA play-by-play announcer on ABC/ESPN. He will be joined by former NBA coach Hubie Brown, hired in December 2004 as the analyst.

Theismann was an NFL quarterback for 12 seasons and had worked on ESPN's Sunday night games since 1988. In addition to working for the Post, Kornheiser has co-hosted "Pardon the Interruption" on ESPN since September 2001 with Michael Wilbon, another Post writer.

Tirico has been a "SportsCenter" host for ESPN and handled play-by-play of the last Orange Bowl. He has worked for ESPN and ABC since 1991.
Michele Tafoya returns for her third season as a "Monday Night Football" sideline reporter, and Suzy Kolber replaces Sam Ryan.

Brandon · 02-08-2006, 12:45 PM

Doesn't seem like a bad crew although I can't stand Theisman. He's wong about everything.

Mr. Kennedy · 02-08-2006, 07:06 PM

Kornheiser is great on Pardon The Interruption, I think he will be great on Monday Night Football. At the very least he can't be any worse than Dennis Miller was.

TheWhale · 02-08-2006, 08:44 PM

Sorry to say...but I like Theismann...he knows football...I cant stand that fn Paul

DD · 02-08-2006, 10:20 PM

I really dig Kornheiser. I think its a great move to add him, although I really did like Michaels.

DMW · 02-09-2006, 05:43 AM

Kornheiser is a great addition. I'm not very fussed about the other two though.
I wonder if Kornheiser is going to be able to do this job and PTI at the same time since the guy won't get on a plane, he's going to have to drive to every location each week. I know John Madden does that, but Madden doesn't have to appear on a weekly TV show throughout the week. I would be very sad if this meant the end for Kornheiser on PTI.

Dr. Giganto · 02-09-2006, 10:03 AM

Tony Kornheiser: Binghamton University graduate...recognize

Brandon · 02-09-2006, 03:57 PM

Ya, they talk about that a lot on PTI. I believe Wilbon went to Northwestern. I love both of those guys, much much MUCH better then those idiots on Around the Horn. I can't stand those a-holes or that show. I did like Max's boxing analysis though. That guy knows more about boxing then anyone I've ever seen.

Mr. Kennedy · 02-09-2006, 06:39 PM

I think Kornheiser will just not do PTI on Mondays. I have to say that I always hate it when it's not Kornheiser and Wilbon, those two work so well together.