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, FOX Sports shares their 2026 MLB regular season on air talent; 2026 UFL season announces their broadcast lineup; and more.FOX Sports Assembles Top-Tier Roster for 2026 Major League Baseball Regular Season Coverage
On the heels of a thrilling World Baseball Classic that captivated the nation, FOX Sports returns to the 2026 Major League Baseball season with a deep and dynamic roster of broadcasters - bringing its signature presentation of championship-level insight and industry-leading production to one of the most anticipated seasons in the sport.
INDUSTRY-LEADING GAME COVERAGE
Entering their fifth season together, first-ballot Hall of Famer John Smoltz and Emmy Award-winning play-by-play announcer Joe Davis call FOX Sports' top regular season and playoff games. Veteran field reporters Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci provide key information and additional coverage from the field. Together, FOX MLB's lead team is comprised entirely of Emmy Award winners recognized for excellence in each of their respective roles.
Throughout the regular season, announcers Adam Amin, Eric Collins, Davis, Kevin Kugler and Connor Onion team up with analysts Eric Karros, AJ Pierzynski, Smoltz, Verducci, Adam Wainwright and Dontrelle Willis in the booth.
FOX Sports' coverage leads off Saturday, March 28, with a day-night doubleheader as action starts at 4:00 PM ET on FS1, with the Minnesota Twins facing the Baltimore Orioles (Onion, Verducci), followed by primetime regionalized matchups at 7:00 PM ET on FOX, featuring the New York Yankees at San Francisco Giants (Davis, Smoltz, Rosenthal) and Kansas City Royals at Atlanta Braves (Amin, Wainwright, Pierzynski).
ICONIC STUDIO LINEUP
A-Rod, Big Papi and The Captain - FOX MLB's Emmy Award-winning desk features names that are synonymous with some of baseball's biggest moments. Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and David Ortiz and World Series champion Alex Rodriguez, alongsidehost Kevin Burkhardt, bring credentialed analysis and seamless chemistry to the network's studio coverage of marquee events.
Over the course of the season, Burkhardt, Chris Myers and Mike Hill host pregame and postgame coverage from the FOX Sports studio alongside a rotation of high-caliber analysts including former big-league stars Willis and Karros.
FOX DEPORTES
The leader in Spanish-language MLB coverage for more than two decades, FOX Deportes' roster is led by veteran play-by-play announcer Adrian Garcia-Marquez, analyst and former MLB infielder Edgar Gonzalez, announcer/reporter Carlos Alvarez and veteran reporter, analyst Jaime Motta. Also joining the team throughout the season is play-by-play announcer Rolando Nichols.
In addition to live broadcasts of each game, the network's new daily program, TOTAL SPORTS 360, offers highlights, interviews and live reports throughout the season.
SPORTS EMMY NOMINATIONS
FOX Sports' MLB coverage continues to earn industry-wide recognition, highlighted by multiple nominations at the 47th Annual Sports Emmy Awards - including honors for its coverage of the World Series (Outstanding Live Sports Special: Championship Event), All-Star Game (Outstanding Live Sports Special: Non-Championship Event) and American League Playoffs (Outstanding Sports Playoff Coverage), along with nods for Outstanding Sports Feature (Short Form), Outstanding Technical Team (Sports Event), Outstanding Audio/Sound (Live Event) and the George Wensel Technical Achievement Award.
Additionally, the network's critically acclaimed Postseason studio show is up for Outstanding Sports Studio Show: Limited Run.
Individually, Joe Davis was nominated for Outstanding Sports Personality - Play-by-Play, while studio analyst Alex Rodriguez earned a nomination for Outstanding Sports Personality - Studio Analyst.
Curt Menefee, Joel Klatt Headline The 2026 FOX UFL Season
Veteran broadcaster and Emmy Award winner Curt Menefee once again teams with critically acclaimed analyst Joel Klatt to lead the FOX Sports broadcast team into action for a supercharged third season of the United Football League (UFL), it was announced today by Brad Zager, FOX Sports President and Executive Producer.
Menefee and Klatt are on the call for the FOX UFL Friday season opener on Friday, March 27 at 8:00 PM ET, when the Louisville Kings, led by coach Chris Redman, make their UFL debut hosting the AJ McCarron-coached Birmingham Stallions at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville. It marks the first game of a 10-game FOX UFL Friday slate on FOX.
On Saturday, Menefee and Klatt continue the opening weekend action as the Houston Gamblers and coach Kevin Sumlin battle the Dallas Renegades, led by coach Rick Neuheisel at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, Saturday, March 28, at 4:00 PM ET on FOX.
Two-time University of Michigan All-American tight end and former Denver Bronco Jake Butt will report from the sidelines of both games.
Additional FOX UFL broadcasters throughout the season include Kevin Kugler, Devin Gardner, Jenny Taft and Brock Huard. Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino return as rules analysts.
FOX DEPORTES
FOX Deportes, scheduled for a 10-game UFL slate in 2026, including the UFL Playoff game on June 7, is led by play-by-play announcers Rodolfo Landeros and John Laguna, alongside veteran analyst Jaime Motta. In addition to live broadcasts of each game, the network's daily sports program, TOTAL SPORTS 360, offers highlights, interviews and additional content throughout the season.
PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY
FOX Sports continues its technology-forward approach to spring football with innovative camera angles including Beverly Hills Aerials in-action drones, Pylon Cam
