Play-by-play voice Joe Tessitore, analyst Booger McFarland and reporter Lisa Salters will make their debut as ESPN’s new NFL commentator team when Monday Night Football kicks off its 50th season this fall.Tessitore, McFarland and Salters – joined by new Officiating Analyst John Parry – will kick off the 2019 regular season on Monday, September 9 when the New Orleans Saints host the Houston Texans (7 p.m. ET) as part of ESPN’s opening-night doubleheader.
This fall, McFarland will move from his field-level analyst position in 2018 to the booth, alongside Tessitore.
“Booger’s insight, personality and passion for the game make him the right person for the job. He and Joe have been close friends since they helped ESPN launch the SEC Network five years ago. Their chemistry together in the booth – and with Lisa – will give us a team that fans want to spend Monday nights with this fall,” said Stephanie Druley, ESPN Executive Vice President, Event and Studio Production.
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| Joe Tessitore |
In 2018, Joe Tessitore became just the sixth person to occupy the coveted MNF play-by-play position after working as a premier broadcaster on ESPN and ABC college football games for the better part of two decades. Highly versatile and one of the top game-callers in sports, Tessitore is also the lead blow-by-blow ringside commentator for Top Rank Boxing on ESPN.
Tessitore: “We’re all excited to kick off the 50th season of Monday Night Football and I am especially happy for Booger whose unique talent and uncommon perspective will now be showcased even more prominently in his new role. With Lisa and the addition of Super Bowl referee John Parry, our goal is simple: serve the fan by documenting the event and celebrating the game as best we can.”
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| Booger McFarland |
Two-time Super Bowl champion Booger McFarland joined MNF in 2018 after serving as a college football analyst for four years on ESPN, ABC and the SEC Network. Widely praised for his football insights and gregarious persona, McFarland regularly contributes to a variety of studio programs and he was part of ESPN and ABC’s NFL Draft coverage last week in Nashville.
McFarland: “I’m so excited to continue to be part of Monday Night Football, especially with the opportunity to be in booth for the 50th season, working with true professionals and friends like Joe and Lisa. We have a great slate of games and I look forward to starting our journey in Louisiana, where I was born and raised, with the Texans-Saints game in early September.”
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| Lisa Salters |
Lisa Salters, who has signed a new multi-year ESPN extension, will return for her eighth MNF season this fall. An Emmy-winning reporter with more than two decades of experience, Salters is a sideline reporter for both MNF and NBA games on ESPN and ABC, as well as a featured correspondent for the award-winning E:60 newsmagazine.
Salters: “It continues to be my privilege to be a part of the MNF team. Tess and Booger are both a pleasure to work with – and will prove to be the perfect duo to lead us forward.”
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