Behind The Mic: ESPN, Tennis Channel Sign New Deals for 2026 Tennis Analysts

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, Jim Furyk is assigned Gold Channel's lead analyst for the Arnold Palmer Invitational; ESPN announces extensive UFL commentators and analysts; and more.

Jim Furyk Named Golf Channel's Lead Analyst for The Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard and The Players Championship

Golf Channel has announced that 17-time PGA TOUR winner and 2003 U.S. Open champion Jim Furyk will serve as lead analyst for the network's live coverage of the upcoming Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard and THE PLAYERS Championship.

Furyk will work alongside play-by-play commentator Terry Gannon for Golf Channel's Thursday-Friday and weekend lead-in coverage at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in Orlando, Fla., (March 5-8), as well as Golf Channel's extended Thursday-Friday coverage windows for THE PLAYERS Championship at the Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on March 12 and 13.

I'm thrilled and excited for the opportunity to join the Golf Channel booth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS Championship, says Furyk. I've spent my career competing on the PGA TOUR and it will be fun to put the headset on and look at the game from an entirely different perspective. I've built great relationships with the Golf Channel on-air team and producers over the years and I'm looking forward to working alongside them and sharing my perspective with viewers across the country for these Signature Events.

When you watch Jim Furyk compete as a player for more than three decades, or as a captain at the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup there is an unmistakable passion and intensity within him, says Tom Knapp, Golf Channel EVP and General Manager. Jim is one of the most accomplished golfers in recent history and we're thrilled to have him bring that competitive intensity into the Golf Channel booth as lead our analyst for these very important Signature Events.

Furyk's impressive 30-plus year playing career is highlighted by his 2003 U.S. Open Championship victory at Olympia Fields. Furyk was also named the PGA TOUR Player of the Year and was the FedExCup Champion in 2010. He is also the only player in PGA TOUR history to have shot under 60 twice and the only player to have shot 58, which he did in the final round of the Travelers Championship in 2016.

Furyk competed in nine consecutive Ryder Cups from 1997-2014, captained the U.S. Ryder Cup team at Le Golf National in France in 2018, and served as vice captain at last year's Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. He also has represented the United States on seven Presidents Cup teams and captained the U.S to victory in the 2024 Presidents Cup in Montreal. Additionally, the West Chester, Pa., native has won three times on the PGA TOUR Champions, including the U.S. Senior Open at Omaha Country Club in 2021.

Beyond his accomplishments on the course, Furyk has been recognized with prestigious honors such as the Payne Stewart Award (2016) and the Francis Ouimet Award (2018) for his contributions to the game of golf.

Chris Eubanks Inks Three-Year Deal with Tennis Channel

Tennis Channel has tapped Chris Eubanks to join the network as an on-air commentator and host, signing the former pro to a three-year deal that brings his voice to coverage of the sport's biggest tournaments worldwide. Eubanks' on-air debut kicks off March 4 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where Tennis Channel will offer wall-to-wall coverage from the tournament's first ball to its last.

Eubanks brings a current player's perspective to marquee events, underscoring Tennis Channel's commitment to premium, personality-driven programming that meets tennis fans at the intersection of sport, culture, and conversation.

I've always loved talking tennis almost as much as playing it, said Chris Eubanks. Tennis Channel has always been such an important part of how fans experience our sport, so to now join the team in this capacity is incredibly special. Having the opportunity to share what's happening inside the lines the strategy, the emotions, the momentum shifts is something I'm really excited about. Tennis has given me so much and I am looking forward to staying connected to the game in this way.

Chris understands where tennis is right now - competitively and culturally says Jeff Blackburn, CEO of Tennis Channel. He brings an authenticity and point of view that resonates on-air. We are thrilled to have him join the TC team.

In recent seasons, Eubanks has emerged as one of the sport's most compelling personalities, connecting with fans and players through his thoughtful commentary and ability to articulate the pressures of life on tour. His move into broadcasting mirrors Tennis Channel's ongoing push to blend elite sports coverage with storytelling that speaks to today's audience.

ESPN Signs American Tennis Legend Andy Roddick to Multi-Year Analyst Deal

ESPN has reached a multi-year deal with 2003 US Open champion and former World No. 1 Andy Roddick, who will serve as an analyst for both match and studio coverage. Roddick, who retired in 2012 from professional tennis, will join ESPN's tennis commentator roster just prior to Wimbledon.

Over his 13-season career, Roddick, who was known for his powerful serve and forehand, reached four major finals, including Wimbledon in 2004, 2005 and 2009 and the US Open in 2006, and won 32 ATP Tour singles titles, including five ATP Masters 1000 crowns. From 2002 to 2010, he secured nine straight year-end top 10 finishes in the ATP rankings. He also helped lead the United S

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