Behind The Mic: Tirico Misses SNF Due to Health Issue; Wilbon Takes Leave of Absence From PTI

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, USA Sports names college basketball commentators for 2026 2027 season; Michael Wilbon announces that he will be taking an indefinite leave of absence of ESPN.

Mike Tirico Missed Sunday Night Football Due to a Health Issue On November 8th

NBC lead play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico missed the Sunday Night Football matchup between the host Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers due to a health issue. He announced earlier Sunday that he would not be on the broadcast. Noah Eagle replaced Tirico alongside Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark and rules analyst Terry McAulay. Tirico said he plans to return to next week's SNF broadcast between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals.

Mike Locksley Joins Big Ten Network as Studio Analyst

Former Maryland head coach Mike Locksley is joining BTN as a studio analyst. He debuts Friday on The B1G Show and will work weekends, including Saturday's B1G Countdown to Kickoff, through the Dec. 5 Big Ten championship game, with possible CFP appearances. Locksley and Maryland mutually parted ways Oct. 21 after nearly eight seasons, in which he went 39-54. (SBJ)

USA Sports Names Commentators for 2026-27 College Basketball Season on USA Network

USA Sports has announced its commentator lineup for the 2026-27 college basketball season, when USA Network will present 100-plus men's and women's games, including regular season and conference tournament games from the Pac-12 and Atlantic 10.

The season begins this weekend with two Pac-12 men's non-conference games: San Diego State hosts Colorado Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, and Boise State hosts Butler Sunday at 2 p.m. ET. Beginning Dec. 5, USA Sports will present multiple Pac-12 and A10 games every Saturday through March 6. Once conference play starts in early January, weekday coverage is anchored by a men's or women's game on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, following LOVB volleyball, and regular Pac-12 doubleheaders on Thursday nights.

Pac-12 men's basketball

Play-by-play: Nate Gatter, Guy Haberman and Ted Robinson

Analysts: Don MacLean, Ernie Kent and Wayne Tinkle

Gatter is USA Sports' lead play-by-play voice for Pac-12 football and a national radio college basketball voice for Westwood One. Haberman was a Pac-12 Network play-by-play voice and studio host from 2013-24 and called Pac-12 football on USA Network this season. Robinson was the Pac-12 Network's lead college basketball and football voice for its 12-year run and called Pac-12 football for USA Sports this season. MacLean is the Pac-12's and UCLA's all-time leading scorer and was a Pac-12 Network analyst for 13 years. Kent coached Washington State, Oregon and Saint Mary's and was the 2002 Pac-10 Coach of the Year. Tinkle was Oregon State's head coach for 12 seasons (2014-26) and led the Beavers to the 2020-21 Pac-12 Tournament title and the Elite Eight.

As previously announced, Ryan Leaf, USA Sports' lead Pac-12 football analyst, will also work multiple Pac-12 basketball games as an analyst alongside Gatter.

Atlantic 10 men's basketball

Play-by-play: Steve Burkowski, Steve Schlanger and Matt Martucci

Analysts: Tim McCormick, Dr. John Giannini and Dereck Whittenburg

Burkowski and Schlanger return after calling A10 games on USA Network last season. Martucci is the radio voice of Saint Joe's and called multiple A10 men's games on USA Network last season. McCormick was the No. 12 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft and was an A10 analyst on USA Network last season. Giannini coached LaSalle for 14 seasons, including a 2013 Sweet 16 run. Whittenburg played on NC State's 1982-83 championship team, coached Wagner and Fordham, and contributed to USA Sports' A10 coverage last season.

Women's basketball

Play-by-play: Dorian Craft (A10), the voice of the WNBA's Washington Mystics

Analysts: Edona Thaqi (A10 and Pac-12) and Alyssa Charlston-Smith (A10)

Thaqi called A10 women's games on USA Network last season, contributed to USA Sports' inaugural WNBA coverage and was a Connecticut Sun analyst from 2024 through the team's final season in 2026. Charlston-Smith was the Seattle Storm's primary analyst in 2026.

Studio: For the second straight year, Lisa Kerney hosts studio coverage alongside analyst Dalen Cuff. Both also work USA Sports' Pac-12 football coverage, Kerney as studio host and Cuff as sideline reporter.

Report: Peyton Manning, Greg Olsen are ESPN's Top Choices to Replace Troy Aikman

The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reports that Peyton Manning is ESPN's top choice, though not necessarily the favorite, to replace Troy Aikman alongside Joe Buck on Monday Night Football, with chairman Jimmy Pitaro expected to pitch him on the job. The opening follows a growing rift between Aikman and Buck: ESPN quietly signed Buck to a six-year, roughly $108 million extension while Aikman went unsigned and reportedly felt betrayed at being kept in the dark. (via Awful Announcing)

Michael Wilbon Announces Indefinite Leave of Absence from ESPN

Michael Wilbon announced an indefinite leave of absence from ESPN, ABC and PTI due to multiple health issues, stressing that it isn't a retirement and that his struggles are unrelated to alcohol or gambling. Pablo Torre and Frank Isola will fill in on PTI on a week-to-week basis, and other ESPN analysts will cover his NBA studio duties, with Chair Jimmy Pitaro backing his recovery.

LINK:	https://www.sportsvideo.org/2026/11/09/behind-the-mic-espn-floats-peyt...
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