MLS on Fox

MLS on Fox is the branding used for broadcasts of Major League Soccer on FS1 and Fox. Fox Sports first aired MLS games from 2003–2011 on the now defunct Fox Soccer Channel. Fox then won the rights from NBC Sports to air games on the new Fox Sports 1 and the MLS Cup on Fox in even numbered years from 2015 until 2022. Since 2023, Fox is the only broadcaster simulcasting MLS from MLS Season Pass after ESPN and Univision rejected to simulcast, and will be the exclusive linear home of MLS Cup.

History

In 2003, Fox Sports World began airing MLS games as the secondary cable broadcast partner. In 2012, NBC Sports beat out Fox to air the MLS as the secondary cable partner. Then in 2015, Fox won the rights to air games and the MLS Cup in even numbered years. John Strong was named the network's main voice for their coverage until 2022, when Fox Sports lost the main rights to Apple TV. However, after talks broke down with both Univision and ESPN, Fox will be the sole linear broadcasting partner for the league from 2023 onward. Under the new deal, Fox will air 34 MLS matches (15 on the Fox network and the rest on FS1), eight playoff games, and each MLS Cup through the 2026 season. These matches will also air in Spanish on Fox Deportes or FS2.

Personalities

With MLS and Apple TV controlling all inventory for broadcasts from 2023 onward, Fox will simulcast games from the Apple broadcasts, adding their own announcers on a main feed, however, FOX and FS1 broadcasts still use their own theme and branding separate from the Apple-exclusive broadcasts. This is a list of personalities from the time MLS matches were produced by Fox itself.

Current

Play-by-play announcers

1. John Strong (2015–present)
2. JP Dellacamera (2011, 2015–present)
3. Derek Rae (2019–present)
4. Keith Costigan (2019–present)
5. Adrian Garcia Marquez (2019–present)
6. Kate Scott (2021–present)
7. Nate Bukaty (2021–present)
8. Tyler Terens (2023–present)

Color commentators

1. Stuart Holden (2017–present)
2. Tony Meola (2015–present)
3. Aly Wagner (2017-present)
4. Maurice Edu (2018–present)
5. Cobi Jones (2018–present)
6. Warren Barton (2020–present)
7. Lori Lindsey (2023–present)
8. Devon Kerr (2023–present)

Studio team

• Rob Stone: Lead studio host (2015–present)
• Jenny Taft: Studio host (2021–present)
• Alexi Lalas: Lead studio analyst (2015–present)
• Stuart Holden Studio analyst (2015–2017; 2021–present)
• Maurice Edu: Studio analyst (2018–present)
• Rodolfo Landeros: Secondary studio host (2021–present)
• Joe Machnik: rules analyst (2015–present)

Former

Play-by-play announcers

1. Mark Followill (2018–2022)
2. Lisa Byington (2018; DCU v NE only)
3. Jake Zivin (2020–2022)
4. Jenn Hilldreth (2019; DCU v SKC only)
5. Callum Williams (2022)

Color commentators

1. Danielle Slaton (2018–2021)
2. Cat Whitehill (2019; DCU v SKC only)
3. Brad Friedel (2015–2017)
4. Landon Donovan (2016–2017, 2022)
5. Kyle Martino (2011)
6. Brian Dunseth (2015–2017)
7. Eric Wynalda (2006–2011)

Sideline reporters

• Grant Wahl (2015–2016)
• Julie Stewart-Binks (2015–2016)
• Katie Witham (2017–2020)
• Marisa Pilla (2020)
• Kyndra de St. Aubin (2022; post-season only)

Studio team

• Sara Walsh: Secondary studio host (2019–2022)
• Sean Wheelock (2005–2011)
• Christian Miles (2007–2010)
• Eric Wynalda: studio analyst (2016–2018)

See also

• Major League Soccer on television

References

External links

• Official website

1. Soccer on Fox Sports
2. Major League Soccer on television
3. List of MLS Cup finals
4. John Strong (sportscaster)
5. MLS All-Star Game
6. Major League Soccer
7. MLS Cup
8. MLS Season Pass
9. MLS Cup 2023
10. MLS on TSN
11. Soccer Night in America
12. Fox Broadcasting Company
13. List of current Major League Soccer broadcasters
14. MLS Soccer Sunday
15. MLS Cup 2022
16. Alexi Lalas
17. MLS on ESPN
18. St. Louis City SC
19. List of MLS Cup broadcasters
20. MLS Cup 2018