Hours ago ESPN announced the hosts and analysts for ESPN FC on TV, the company’s new global football news and information program. the year-round television show will debut Sunday, August 11, at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT), on ESPN2.
ESPN FC host Dan Thomas, formerly with Real Madrid FC television, and SportsCenter anchor Max Bretos, will split hosting duties while a rotation of 23 veteran pundits and contributors from the U.S., the United Kingdom, Mexico, Spain, Argentina will be featured. Of all the ESPN FC talking heads, here are the ones with Premier League and United Kingdom ties.
ESPN FC Hosts:
Dan Thomas – presenter for ESPN International’s English-language program for global football. Thomas is a former sports broadcasting prodigy who, at 15 years old, parlayed his passion into his first job at BBC Radio Cornwall, reading local football, rugby and cricket scores. After graduating from Solent University in Southampton in 2002, Thomas began hosting “Saints Alive,” the weekly show on Southampton FC. In 2005, he moved to Madrid, Spain, for the launch of Real Madrid TV, where he served as the outlet’s lead presenter until his move to ESPN.
Max Bretos – Since joining ESPN, he has served as host of MLS Cup coverage on ESPN – hosting the network’s coverage of David Beckham’s last match in the league (MLS Cup 2012). Bretos’ role on ESPN FC will be in addition to his regular SportsCenter duties.
ESPN FC Analysts/contributors:
Craig Burley – 1998 FIFA World Cup player for Scotland and former Chelsea FC midfielder, he is relocating his family from United Kingdom to the United States to serve primarily as an analyst for ESPN FC on TV.
Raphael Honigstein – An accomplished German football journalist and author currently based in London, Honigstein’s work has been published widely in both English and German media, and he also appears on several football television programs in Europe. He will contribute insight on German football.
Frank Leboeuf – 1998 FIFA World Cup champion and French National Team player, Leboeuf played mostly for Chelsea in a 17-year professional career.
Paul Mariner – Former England National Team player, Mariner played 18 years in English football. He became a coach in the United States working with two MLS teams – New England Revolution and Toronto FC.
Steve McManaman – One of England’s most decorated footballers and former national team player, McManaman spent nine years with Liverpool FC (1990-1999) and five with Real Madrid FC (1999-2003), becoming the first English footballer to win a Champions League title with a foreign club in 2000.
Steve Nicol – Former Scotland National Team player, Nicol played professional soccer for 22 seasons highlighted by 13 years with Liverpool FC (1981-1994). He later moved into coaching and led the New England Revolution to it most-successful era in Major League Soccer.
Fernando Palomo – Play-by-play commentator for Mexican National Team matches on ESPN (El Tri on ESPN).
Derek Rae – ESPN International’s soccer play-by-play commentator currently based in the United Kingdom.
Stewart Robson – Former Arsenal FC player, Robson played 14 years of top-flight professional football in England.
Peter Walton – Former professional referee in English football, Walton is general manager of the Professional Referees Organization (PRO) in North America.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, a Fox Sports affiliate. He is also an analyst for 95.7 The Fan, and writes on Chicago sports media for Chicago Now. President Obama follows his Twitter account (@PaulMBanks)
