MLS on Fox is the branding used for broadcasts of Major League Soccer on FS1 and Fox. Fox Sports first aired MLS games from 2003–2011 on the now defunct Fox Soccer Channel. Fox then won the rights from NBC Sports to air games on the new Fox Sports 1 and the MLS Cup on Fox in even numbered years from 2015 until 2022.[1][2] Since 2023, Fox is the only broadcaster simulcasting MLS from MLS Season Pass after ESPN and Univision rejected to simulcast, and will be the exclusive linear home of MLS Cup.
| MLS on Fox | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Starring | John Strong Stuart Holden Alexi Lalas Rob Stone |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 2 or 2.5 hours |
| Original release | |
| Network | Fox FS1 Fox Deportes |
| Release |
|
History
editIn 2003, Fox Sports World began airing MLS games as the secondary cable broadcast partner. In 2012, NBC Sports beat out Fox to air the MLS as the secondary cable partner. Then in 2015, Fox won the rights to air games and the MLS Cup in even numbered years. John Strong was named the network's main voice for their coverage until 2022, when Fox Sports lost the main rights to Apple TV. However, after talks broke down with both Univision and ESPN, Fox will be the sole linear broadcasting partner for the league from 2023 onward.[3][4][5][6] Under the new deal, Fox will air 34 MLS matches (15 on the Fox network and the rest on FS1), eight playoff games, and each MLS Cup through the 2026 season. These matches will also air in Spanish on Fox Deportes or FS2.[7][8]
Personalities
editWith MLS and Apple TV controlling all inventory for broadcasts from 2023 onward, Fox will simulcast games from the Apple broadcasts, adding their own announcers on a main feed, however, FOX and FS1 broadcasts still use their own theme and branding separate from the Apple-exclusive broadcasts.[9] This is a list of personalities from the time MLS matches were produced by Fox itself.
Current
editPlay-by-play announcers
edit- John Strong (2015–present)
- JP Dellacamera (2011, 2015–present)
- Derek Rae (2019–present)
- Keith Costigan (2019–present)
- Adrian Garcia Marquez (2019–present)
- Kate Scott (2021–present)
- Nate Bukaty (2021–present)
- Tyler Terens (2023–present)
- Mike Watts (2024–present)
- Joe Malfa (2024–present)
- Josh Eastern (2024–present)
- Luis Omar Tapia (2024–present)
- Michael Wottreng (2024–present)
Color commentators
edit- Stuart Holden (2017–present)
- Tony Meola (2015–present)
- Aly Wagner (2017–present)
- Maurice Edu (2018–present)
- Cobi Jones (2018–present)
- Warren Barton (2020–present)
- Landon Donovan (2022–present)
- Lori Lindsey (2023–present)
- Devon Kerr (2023–present)
- Jamie Watson (2024–present)
Studio team
edit- Rob Stone: Lead studio host (2015–present)
- Jenny Taft: Studio host (2021–present)
- Alexi Lalas: Lead studio analyst (2015–present)
- Stuart Holden Studio analyst (2015–2017; 2021–present)
- Maurice Edu: Studio analyst (2018–present)
- Rodolfo Landeros: Secondary studio host (2021–present)
- Joe Machnik: rules analyst (2015–present)
Former
editPlay-by-play announcers
edit- Mark Followill (2018–2022)
- Lisa Byington (2018; DCU v NE only)
- Jake Zivin (2020–2022)
- Jenn Hilldreth (2019; DCU v SKC only)
- Callum Williams (2022)
Color commentators
edit- Danielle Slaton (2018–2021)
- Cat Whitehill (2019; DCU v SKC only)
- Brad Friedel (2015–2017)
- Landon Donovan (2016–2017, 2022)
- Kyle Martino (2011)
- Brian Dunseth (2015–2017)
- Eric Wynalda (2006–2011)
Sideline reporters
edit- Grant Wahl (2015–2016)
- Julie Stewart-Binks (2015–2016)
- Katie Witham (2017–2020)
- Marisa Pilla (2020)
- Kyndra de St. Aubin (2022; post-season only)
Studio team
edit- Sara Walsh: Secondary studio host (2019–2022)
- Sean Wheelock (2005–2011)
- Christian Miles (2007–2010)
- Eric Wynalda: studio analyst (2016–2018)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "MLS, U.S. Soccer sign landmark TV and media rights partnerships with ESPN, FOX & Univision Deportes" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 13, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ "MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RETURNS TO FOX SPORTS" (PDF). FOX Sports (Press release). May 12, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (December 12, 2022). "Univision out of MLS regular-season and playoff TV broadcasts amid new Apple deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Reedy, Joe (2022-06-14). "Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership". Associated Press. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Young, Jabari. "As TV Deals Expire, Major League Soccer Fields Smaller Offers From ESPN, Fox Sports". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ Poindexter, Owen (2022-07-21). "MLS Eyes Reduced Linear Rights After Huge Streaming Deal". Front Office Sports. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Major League Soccer, FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN & RDS Announce Multi-year Linear TV Rights Agreements" (Press release). Major League Soccer. December 13, 2022.
- ^ mlssoccer. "MLS Unveils Complete 2024 Regular Season Schedule | MLSSoccer.com". mlssoccer. Retrieved 2023-12-21.
- ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (December 13, 2022). "MLS announces a limited TV package to go with its big Apple streaming deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer.