Behind the Mic: Apple Announces Broadcasters for MLS Season Pass; Faxon and Kaufman Join NBC's 2023 Golf Commentary Team

Behind the Mic: Apple Announces Broadcasters for MLS Season Pass; Faxon and Kaufman Join NBC's 2023 Golf Commentary Team By SVG Staff

Friday, January 13, 2023 - 7:00 am

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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, Apple and Major League Soccer have announced who the members of their announcing team will be for MLS Season Pass, Brad Faxon and Smylie Kaufman join NBC's golf commentary team for the 2023 year, and more.

Apple and Major League Soccer Unveil Broadcasters for MLS Season Pass Apple and Major League Soccer today announced the initial members of the accomplished team of announcers that will serve as the faces and voices of MLS Season Pass, the unprecedented subscription service launches February 1, 2023, on the Apple TV app in more than 100 countries and regions.

Spearheading the coverage will be a team of talented broadcasters and soccer legends, including Kyndra de St. Aubin (match analyst), Maurice Edu (match analyst), Lori Lindsey (match analyst), Danielle Slaton (match analyst), Taylor Twellman (match analyst), Marcelo Balboa (match analyst), S bastien Le Toux (match analyst), Sacha Kljestan (studio analyst), Bradley Wright-Phillips (studio analyst), Diego Valeri (studio analyst), Liam McHugh (studio host), Jillian Sakovits (studio host), Tony Cherchi(studio host), Max Bretos (play-by-play), Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play), Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Pablo Ram rez (play-by-play), and Frederic Lord (play-by-play). The complete on-air broadcast team - which represents many of the industry's most qualified and compelling announcers - and the full production plan for MLS Season Pass will be announced prior to the start of the MLS 2023 season, which begins February 25.

MLS Season Pass will deliver the best viewing experience that MLS fans have ever had, in large part to these incredible announcers, who will be calling the matches and bringing their passion, energy, and know-how for this league, these clubs, and this sport each and every week, says Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Services. Today is a milestone moment for our partnership with MLS, as we begin to unveil some of the faces and voices of this unprecedented streaming service, and we can't wait for fans to start tuning in next month.

We are thrilled to assemble a dynamic, knowledgeable team of broadcasters for MLS Season Pass, individuals who have lived and breathed the beautiful game for many years, says Don Garber, MLS's commissioner. This talented group of men and women has taken part in the biggest moments across the soccer and sports landscape for the past decade; whether covering them on air or taking part in them as players, they have been at the center of building our sport in North America. We are excited to see how their diversity of experiences will elevate our coverage and storytelling across our live matches and studio shows, bringing our sport to fans around the globe like never before.

MLS Season Pass will feature every match of the regular season, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, and Leagues Cup* all in one place, with consistent match times and no blackouts - a first in live sports broadcasting. It will also feature pregame shows, a whip-around show that will provide live look-ins from every match and feature every goal, penalty kick, and big save, as well as analysis and discussion from all the key moments, and a postgame wrap-up to close each night.

All matches will feature commentary in either English or Spanish, while matches involving Canadian teams will also offer commentary in French. Pregame shows and the postgame wrap-up will be available in English and Spanish. Fans in the US and Canada will also have the option to select their home team's radio for broadcast audio on the Apple TV app where available.

Best-in-Class Analysts

Kyndra de St. Aubin has been in the broadcast industry since completing her collegiate soccer career at Minnesota in 2003. She has been part of the FOX Sports family since 2011, having worked two FIFA Women's World Cups in 2015 and 2019. She has spent the last five years as television analyst for Minnesota United FC.

Maurice Edu, a member of the 2010 US World Cup team who played 12 seasons in MLS and Europe, has spent the past five years as an analyst with FOX Sports. He also called Atlanta United matches the past two seasons and provides soccer commentary for CBS Sports.

Lori Lindsey played 14 professional seasons and was a member of the 2011 US Women's World Cup team prior to serving as a soccer analyst for ESPN and CBS Sports. She has also worked as a sideline reporter for Nashville SC.

Danielle Slaton, who earned a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games and bronze at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup as a member of the US Women's National Team, has been a television game analyst for the last 13 years, including the last eight with the San Jose Earthquakes. In 2018, she made history as part of the first all-female broadcast team to cover one of the five major US men's sports leagues, joining Lisa Byington and Katie Witham on FOX Sports' broadcast of D.C. United vs. New England Revolution.

A former MLS MVP and US National Team player, Taylor Twellman joins MLS Season Pass after spending the past 11 years as ABC and ESPN's lead soccer analyst. During his playing career, he was one of the most prolific scorers in MLS history, recording 101 goals in 174 matches with New England. He was the fastest player ever to reach the 100-goal plateau until his new MLS Season Pass teammate, Bradley Wright-Phillips (159), eclipsed the mark.

Marcelo Balboa, a former US National Team defender and mem

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