MLS on ESPN

{{Infobox television

| image = MLS on ESPN logo 2015.svg

| image_size = 200

| runtime = 2 or 2.5 hours

| starring = Various personalities (see below)

| country = United States

| network = ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ABC, & ESPN Deportes

| first_aired = {{start date|1996|4|6}}

| last_aired = {{end date|2022|10|27}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=ABC Presents the Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoff Western Conference Final on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/10/abc-presents-the-audi-2022-mls-cup-playoff-western-conference-final-on-sunday-at-3-p-m-et/|work= |location= |publisher= |access-date=}}

}}

MLS on ESPN was the branding used for television presentations of Major League Soccer on ESPN properties, including ABC and ESPN2. Major League Soccer on ESPN debuted in 1996, the league's first season, and ended in 2022 when MLS and ESPN did not renew their broadcast contract. From 1996 to 2006, the weekly soccer match on ESPN2 was called MLS Soccer Saturday, but in the new contract, that was replaced by MLS Primetime Thursday. For the 2009 season and beyond, the Thursday telecast was replaced by a variety of primetime games on Wednesdays through Saturdays. From 2009 until 2019, as part of ESPN's far-reaching strategy of moving sports programming to ESPN, all matches – including MLS Cup – were on either ESPN or ESPN2.

History

{{See also|Major League Soccer on television|History of Major League Soccer on television}}

On August 4, 2006, ESPN reached a comprehensive multimedia agreement with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) for the rights to Major League Soccer through 2014. As part of the eight-year agreement, ESPN2 televised 26 regular-season and three playoff MLS matches each year, all in primetime on Thursdays.

Highlights of the agreement included:

ESPN2 airing 26 regular-season MLS matches, primarily on Thursday nights.
ESPN2 airing three MLS playoff matches.
ABC airing one regular-season MLS match, the MLS All-Star Game, and MLS Cup. (replaced by ESPN from 2009 to 2017; returned in 2019)
Televised coverage of the first round of the MLS Draft.
MLS telecasts re-aired in full or abbreviated versions on any ESPN media platforms
Extensive footage rights for all ESPN media platforms such as SportsCenter, ESPNEWS, ESPN Motion, ESPN360, etc.
ESPN producing and being solely responsible for the content, whereas, they had not been able to do that in the past.

Also in 2007, ESPN2's coverage of MLS included new on-screen scoreboards, similar to those used on other sports telecasts. In 2008, another new score graphic was debuted, this time in the upper left hand corner of the screen.

ESPN joined forces with Fox Sports and Univision to broadcast over 100 MLS games (combined), live and exclusive, from 2015 and 2022 in its succeeding media rights deal.

In 2023, MLS moved their inventory of games to MLS Season Pass, and the Fox Sports family. ESPN stopped televising MLS matches for the first time since the league's inception in 1996.{{Cite web |title=ESPN unlikely to renew MLS TV deal, speculates industry analyst |url=https://worldsoccertalk.com/tv/espn-unlikely-to-renew-mls-tv-deal-speculates-industry-analyst-20221207-WST-411622.html |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=World Soccer Talk |date=December 7, 2022 |language=en}}{{cite web |title=MLS on linear TV: FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN & RDS reach multi-year deals|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/mls-on-linear-tv-fox-sports-televisaunivision-tsn-rds-reach-multi-year-deals |website=MLSSoccer.com |date=December 13, 2022}}

=Technology=

In addition, ESPN added numerous production enhancements to the telecasts through the years. They included:

SkyCam: A common element during ESPN's NFL and MLB telecasts, SkyCam returned after making its debut in 2005 on select ABC and ESPN2 telecasts. The device provided an aerial view of the field, giving the viewer a unique angle to appreciate the development and speed of match action.
MLS Wired: Telecasts featured use of the unobtrusive microphones, worn by select coaches and players, to capture some of the compelling in-game interactions and conversations.
KickTrax
HD: Beginning in 2007, all games aired in high-definition.

=Criticism=

ESPN was accused in 2011 by Soccer America writer Paul Kennedy of putting more emphasis on overall negativity and the more violent aspect of MLS games (such as two confrontations, two challenges and a player nursing a bloody head in its first six shots) in "Greatest Highlights of the Month" segment for their intermission reports.{{cite news |title=ESPN's 'highlights' disrespect MLS |author=Kennedy, Paul |url=http://www.socceramerica.com/article/42156/espns-highlights-disrespect-mls.html |newspaper=Soccer America Daily |date=9 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2011}}

Personalities

{{See also|List of Major League Soccer All-Star Game broadcasters|List of MLS Cup broadcasters|List of ESPN personalities|List of current Major League Soccer broadcasters}}

=Play-by-play announcers=

Steve Cangialosi{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Steve Cangialosi|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/media-resources/season-pass/bios/steve-cangialosi|work=MLSsoccer.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2016–2022)
Jon Champion{{cite news |last= |first= |date=December 10, 2018|title=ESPN signs Jon Champion to exclusive deal as lead MLS broadcaster|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37567254/espn-signs-jon-champion-exclusive-deal-lead-mls-broadcaster|work=ESPN|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2024}} (2019–2022)
Andres Cordero (2021–2022)
Ian Darke{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Ian Darke - Fox Sports Press Pass|url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/bios/on-air/ian-darke-2/|work=Fox Sports|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2010–2011)
JP Dellacamera{{cite news |last=Grossman|first=Ben|date=January 30, 2008|title=Dellacamera to Call MLS, U.S. National Team Soccer for ESPN|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/dellacamera-call-mls-us-national-team-soccer-espn-31587|work=Broadcasting & Cable|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1996–2010)
Glenn Davis{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Glenn Davis|url=https://glenndavissoccer.com/|website=GlennDavisSoccer.com |location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2002–2022)
Jack Edwards{{cite news |last= |first= |date=September 12, 2000|title=2000 MLS playoffs and UEFA champions kick off |url=https://www.espn.com/espninc/pressreleases/s/000912mlsplayoffs.html|work=ESPN.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2000–2002)
Kevin Egan{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Kevin Egan|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/media-resources/season-pass/bios/kevin-egan|work=MLSsoccer.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2021–2022)
Adrian Healey{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Adrian Healey - ESPN Press Room U.S.|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/adrian-healey/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2011–2022)
Bob Ley{{cite news |last=Pentz|first=Matt|date=June 15, 2020|title=Always look down the side streets: Soccer's influence on Bob Ley's life and work|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1848960/2020/06/15/always-look-down-the-side-streets-soccers-influence-on-bob-leys-life-and-work/|work=The New York Times|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1996–1997)
Dave O'Brien{{cite news |last=Bell|first=Jack|date=November 23, 2008|title=ESPN/ABC Find Their Voice at M.L.S. Cup '08 |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/espnabc-find-their-voice-at-mls-cup-08/|work=The New York Times|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2006–2007)
Phil Schoen{{cite news |last= |first= |date=May 24, 2022|title=Phil Schoen on sportscasting during American soccer's rise, his radio roots, and working with Ray Hudson|url=https://www.socceramerica.com/phil-schoen-on-sportscasting-during-american-socce/|work=Soccer America|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1996–1999)
Rob Stone (2002–2011)
Tyler Terens{{cite web |last=Baker|first=Ted|date=April 10, 2022|title=Hobart grad Tyler Terens makes national TV debut on ESPN MLS telecast|url=https://www.fingerlakes1.com/2022/04/10/hobart-grad-tyler-terens-makes-national-tv-debut-on-espn-mls-telecast/|website=fingerlakes1.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2022)
Jonathan Yardley{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Jonathan Yardley|url=https://njhshockeyhof.com/jonathan-yardley/|website=NJ High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame|location= |publisher= |access-date=}} (2021–2022)
Jake Zivin{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Jake Zivin|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/media-resources/season-pass/bios/jake-zivin|work=MLSsoccer.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2022)

=Color commentators=

Bruce Arena (2006)
Kyndra de St. Aubin (2021–2022)
Brian Dunseth{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Brian Dunseth|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/media-resources/season-pass/bios/brian-dunseth|work=MLSsoccer.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2014–2022)
Julie Foudy{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Julie Foudy - ESPN Press Room U.S.|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/foudy_julie/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2007–2009)
Herculez Gomez{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Herculez Gomez - ESPN Press Room U.S.|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/herculez-gomez/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2017–2022)
John Harkes{{cite news |last= |first= |date=February 26, 2019|title=15 Minutes: Get to know John Harkes|url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/life/style/talk-greenville/2019/02/26/15-minutes-get-know-john-harkes/2995190002/|work=Greenville News|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2008-2011)
Danny Higginbotham{{cite news |last=Krishnaiyer|first=Kartik|date=March 22, 2022|title=Danny Higginbotham begins next chapter of career in United States|url=https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/danny-higginbotham-starts-new-chapter-of-career-as-analyst-and-co-commentator-in-united-states-20201218-CMS-320536.html|work=World Soccer Talk|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2021–2022)
Kasey Keller{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Kasey Keller|url=https://www.sloansportsconference.com/people/kasey-keller|work=MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2014–2022)
Ty Keough{{cite news |last= |first= |date=October 21, 2022|title=The Legacy Series: Ty Keough|url=https://www.stlcitysc.com/news/the-legacy-series-ty-keough|work=St. Louis CITY SC|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1996–2003)
Alexi Lalas{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference Speaker - Alexi Lalas|url=https://www.sloansportsconference.com/people/alexi-lalas|work=MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1996–2014)
Lori Lindsey{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Lori Lindsey|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/media-resources/season-pass/bios/lori-lindsey|work=MLSsoccer.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2021–2022)
Kyle Martino{{cite news |last= |first= |date=November 6, 2017|title=Kyle Martino to run for U.S. Soccer presidency, taking hiatus from NBC|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37537872/kyle-martino-leave-nbc-duties-run-us-soccer-presidency|work=ESPN.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2009-2010)
Shep Messing{{cite news |last=Nwulu|first=Mac|date=July 19, 2020|title=ESPN Adds Three MLS is Back Tournament Matches during the Final Round of Group Stage|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2020/07/media-alert-espn-adds-three-mls-is-back-tournament-matches-during-the-final-round-of-group-stage/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2020–2022)
Alejandro Moreno{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Alejandro Moreno - ESPN Press Room U.S.|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/alejandro-moreno/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2014–2022)
Ben Olsen{{cite news |last=Goff|first=Steven|date=November 22, 2023|title=Ben Olsen shook up a 'nice, comfortable life' in D.C. He's glad he did.|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/11/22/ben-olsen-houston-dynamo-coach/|newspaper=The Washington Post|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2022)
Tommy Smyth{{cite web |last= |first= |date= |title=Tommy Smyth - SMWW Mentor - Queens, New York|url=https://www.sportsmanagementworldwide.com/users/tommy-smyth|website=Sports Management Worldwide|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2007)
Taylor Twellman{{cite magazine |last=Koons|first=Zach|date=January 6, 2023|title=Taylor Twellman Announces Departure From ESPN|url=https://www.si.com/media/2023/01/06/taylor-twellman-announces-departure-espn|magazine=Sports Illustrated|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2010–2022)
Eric Wynalda{{cite news |last=Trusdell|first=Brian|date=June 28, 2006|title=Arena's MLS criticism blasted|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/news/local/north/2006/06/28/arena-s-mls-criticism-blasted/53082880007/|work=telegram.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2004–2007)

=Sideline reporters=

Cristina Alexander{{cite news |last=Nwulu|first=Mac|date=August 8, 2022|title=ESPN Goes to Minnesota for 2022 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2022/08/espn-goes-to-minnesota-for-2022-mls-all-star-game-presented-by-target/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2022)
Brandi Chastain (2005–2006)
Allen Hopkins{{cite news |last=Powell|first=Brian|date=January 31, 2008|title=Eric Wynalda Dropped By ABC/ESPN|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/2008-articles/eric-wynalda-dropped-by-abcespn.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2007–2009)
Lorrie Fair{{cite news |last= |first= |date=March 30, 2004|title=MLS unveils broadcast talent|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/mls-unveils-broadcast-talent/n-3016695|work=Our Sports Central|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2004)
Mónica González{{cite news |last= |first= |date=December 19, 2013|title=From The Sidelines: An exclusive Q&A with ESPN's Monica Gonzalez|url=https://www.timbers.com/news/sidelines-exclusive-qa-espns-monica-gonzalez|work=Portland Timbers|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2012–2016)
Bill McDermott{{cite news |last= |first= |date=October 24, 2024|title=Bill McDermott to be Honored with 2024 Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award|url=https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/bill-mcdermott-to-be-honored-with-2024-clay-berling-media-career-of-excellence-award/|work=United Soccer Coaches|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1996–1997)
Heather Mitts{{cite news |last=Giase|first=Frank|date=June 7, 2011|title=Giase: Heather Mitts breaks World Cup jinx with U.S.|url=https://www.nj.com/soccer-news/2011/06/giase_heather_mitts_breaks_wor.html|work=nj.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2005–2006)
Veronica Paysse{{cite news |last= |first= |date=July 30, 2002|title=ABC Enhances All-Star Broadcast|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/abc-enhances-all-star-broadcast/n-1972301|work=Our Sports Central|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2002–2003)
Jillian Sakovits{{cite news |last=Patrick|first=Joe|date=January 10, 2023|title=Maurice Edu, Jillian Sakovits to be part of Apple MLS coverage in 2023|url=https://www.dirtysouthsoccer.com/2023/1/10/23548353/maurice-edu-jillian-sakovits-to-be-part-of-apple-mls-coverage-in-2023|work=Dirty South Soccer|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2022)
Sebastian Salazar{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Sebastian Salazar - ESPN Press Room U.S.|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/sebastian-salazar/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2018–2022)
Julie Stewart-Binks{{cite news |last=Nwulu|first=Mac|date=December 12, 2016|title=ESPN Adds Julie Stewart-Binks as Soccer Sideline Reporter|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2016/12/espn-adds-julie-stewart-binks-soccer-sideline-reporter/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2017)
Rob Stone{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Rob Stone - Fox Sports Press Pass|url=https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/bios/on-air/rob-stone/|work=Fox Sports|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1997–2011)
Roger Twibell (1996)
Katie Witham{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Katie Witham Bio & Career Accomplishments|url=https://www.foxsports.com/personalities/katie-witham/bio|work=Fox Sports|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2016)

=Studio hosts=

Max Bretos{{cite news |last=Shrader|first=John|date=May 7, 2024|title=Max Bretos on avant-garde MLS broadcasting, young and global fandom, and his Cuban heritage|url=https://www.socceramerica.com/max-bretos-on-avant-garde-mls-broadcasting-young-and-global-fandom-and-his-cuban-heritage/|work=Soccer America|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2010–2018)
Adrian Healey (2019–2022)
Sebastian Salazar{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Sebastian Salazar - ESPN Press Room U.S.|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/sebastian-salazar/|work=ESPN Press Room|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date=November 4, 2017|title=WC grad makes soccer his focus at ESPN|url=https://www.wcn247.com/wc-grad-makes-soccer-his-focus-at-espn/article_094228ad-2712-5e79-bc94-eb176bedb487.html|work=Westminster College News|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} – substitute studio host (2017–2020); lead studio host (2021–present)
Rob Stone{{cite news |last= |first= |date=October 19, 2007|title=Rob Stone to serve as new voice of the PBA on ESPN this season|url=https://www.bowlingdigital.com/bowl/node/3182|work=bowlingdigital.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (1997–2011)
Roger Twibell (1996)

=Studio analysts=

Brandi Chastain{{cite news |last= |first= |date=March 31, 2005|title=MLS Media: Chastain Joins ESPN2 And ABC Sports Telecasts|url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2005/04/01/Sports-Media/MLS-Media-Chastain-Joins-ESPN2-And-ABC-Sports-Telecasts/|work=Sports Business Journal|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2005–2006)
Brian Dunseth{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Brian Dunseth|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/media-resources/season-pass/bios/brian-dunseth|work=MLSsoccer.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} – studio analyst (2014–2022)
Julie Foudy{{cite news |last= |first= |date=December 21, 2006|title=People in sports - Foudy stays with ESPN|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/people-in-sports-foudy-stays-with-espn/|work=The Seattle Times|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2007–2009)
Herculez Gomez{{cite news |last=Stejskal|first=Sam|date=January 17, 2017|title=Herculez Gomez announces retirement, to join ESPN as soccer analyst|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/herculez-gomez-announces-retirement-join-espn-soccer-analyst|work=MLSsoccer.com|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} – studio analyst (2017–2022)
Kasey Keller{{cite news |last= |first= |date=March 1, 2012|title=Kasey Keller, former Pilots and Sounders goalkeeper, joins ESPN as analyst |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/2012/03/kasey_keller_former_pilots_and.html|work=Oregon Live|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} – lead studio analyst (2012–2022)
Alexi Lalas (1996–2014)
Alejandro Moreno – lead studio analyst (2014–2022)
Eric Wynalda{{cite news |last=Galarcep|first=Ives|date=February 5, 2008|title=ESPN cuts Wynalda loose|url=https://sbisoccer.com/2008/02/espn-cuts-wynal/comment-page-2|work=SBI Soccer|location= |publisher= |access-date=April 3, 2025}} (2004–2007)

References

External links

{{official|https://www.espn.com/soccer/league/_/name/usa.1}}

Major League Soccer

Category:2000s American sports television series

Category:2010s American sports television series

Category:2020s American sports television series

Category:Major League Soccer on television

Category:American Broadcasting Company original programming

Category:ABC Sports

Category:1996 American television series debuts

Category:2022 American television series endings