Behind the Mic: WNBA Adds Sue Bird, Sophie Cunningham to Networks Commentary Teams; John Buccigross Signed to ESPN Extension

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, Logan Webb to join SiriusXM roster of for the 2026 MLB season; ESPN and Omaha Productions launch a new digital show tonight with host Jeff Passan; and more

Anthony Rizzo, John Kruk, and C.J. Nitkowski Join NBC Sports' Sunday Night Baseball Announce Team for Braves-Phillies, This Sunday, April 19 at 7 P.M. ET on Peacock and NBCSN

World Series Champion and three-time All-Star first baseman Anthony Rizzo, three-time All-Star first baseman John Kruk and 10-year MLB pitcher C.J. Nitkowski join NBC Sports' announce team for this week's edition of Sunday Night Baseball, as 2023 National League MVP Ronald Acu a Jr. and the Atlanta Braves visit two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, Sunday, April 19 at 7 p.m. ET on Peacock and NBCSN.

The Braves (2018-23) and Phillies (2024-25) have combined to win the last eight National League East titles.

As of today, the Braves have hit 21 home runs, good for the second highest total in all of baseball. Braves' catcher and 2025 National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin leads the league in runs (16) and is tied for second in runs batted in (17). Phillies left fielder Kyle Schwarber is tied for the most home runs in the MLB since the start of last season.

This week's Sunday Night Baseball announce team features play-by-play voice Jason Benetti joined in the booth by analysts John Kruk and C.J. Nitkowski. Ahmed Fareed will host the pregame show alongside Anthony Rizzo, who will also provide Inside the Pitch commentary from the batter's perspective during the game.

Kruk began his 10-season MLB career (1986-1995) with the San Diego Padres. After four years in San Diego, the first baseman was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies where he was selected to the NL All-Star team in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Kruk set career highs in home runs (21) and runs batted in (92) in 1991. In 1993 he batted .316, hit 14 home runs and drove in 85 runs, helping to lead the Phillies to the World Series, where he batted .348 as Philadelphia lost in six games to the Toronto Blue Jays. He finished his playing career with a .300 batting average. Since 2017, Kruk has been an analyst for Phillies' game telecasts on NBC Sports Philadelphia. In the prior 13 seasons, Kruk served as a studio analyst on ESPN's Baseball Tonight (2004-11) and a game analyst on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball (2012-16).

A 10-year MLB pitcher, Nitkowski played for eight teams from 1995-2005. He pitched in 336 games for Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, New York (NL), Texas, Atlanta, New York (AL) and Washington. Before beginning his broadcast career in 2013, Nitkowski spent four seasons pitching in Japan and Korea. Currently in his third year in the Braves broadcast booth, Nitkowski this season became the lead BravesVision game analyst. Previously, he was an analyst for Texas Rangers telecasts on Bally Sports Southwest from 2017-23 where he was nominated for 11 Lone Star Emmy Awards, winning six times. He also served as a national game and studio analyst for FOX Sports from 2014-19.

A three-time MLB All-Star and four-time Gold-Glove winning first baseman, Rizzo caught the final out of the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs, breaking the team's 108-year championship drought. In 2016, Rizzo set a career high in RBI (109), was awarded a Gold Glove, earned a Silver Slugger, and won the Platinum Glove as the NL's best overall defensive player. Over 14 seasons with the Padres, Cubs and Yankees, the lefty slugger hit 303 home runs and had four seasons with at least 100 RBIs.

In his in-game role as Inside the Pitch commentator, Rizzo will provide insight from the batter's perspective during key at-bats. Rizzo will serve as an analyst for NBC Sports' MLB coverage throughout the regular season and its exclusive MLB Postseason coverage of the Wild Card Series presented by AbbVie on NBC and Peacock.

Peacock MLB Hub

Peacock will feature a dedicated MLB Hub, a one-stop destination for fans to access live games, team hubs and highlights. This season, baseball fans will also be able to enjoy popular Peacock features, such as Catch up with Key Plays, if they are tuning in late; Live in Browse, whichdisplays the live game on the Peacock home page for instant context about the matchup and allows viewers to immediately join the live game presentation; and MLB Live Picks, a mobile mini-game for fans to predict the winners.

The Sunday Stretch whip-around show will also stream live on Peacock starting May 3, providing viewers with the most compelling action in real time and on replay so they won't miss a single run or key play. In partnership with Telemundo and Universo, Peacock will provide extensive Spanish-language coverage.

Peacock Game of the Day (April 14 - April 22)

One out-of-market game will be streamed nationally* on Peacock nearly every day of the season. This Tuesday two-time All-Star Bo Bichette and the New York Mets square off against Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages and the Los Angeles Dodgers with first pitch set for 10:10 p.m. ET on Peacock.

ESPN Signs John Buccigross to a New Multi-Year Contract Extension

ESPN was launched in 1979 when I was 13. When I saw Chris Berman do SportsCenter I said, that's where I want to work.' With right timing and lots of blessings it happened in 1996. I love my teammates and love sports. I'm a one uniform guy and this is the only team I want to play for. says John Buccigross, ESPN commentator.

MLB All Star Logan Webb Joins SiriusXM Roster

SiriusXM announced today that San Francisco Giants star Logan Webb, a two-time All-Star and one of the best arms in ba

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