MLS on Fox

MLS on Fox is a promotion 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.[1][2] Beginning in 2023, Fox will be the only broadcaster simulcasting MLS from MLS Season Pass after ESPN and Univision rejected to simulcast.

MLS on Fox
StarringJohn Strong
Stuart Holden
Alexi Lalas
Rob Stone
Country of originUnited States
Production
Running time2 or 2.5 hours
Release
Original networkFox
FS1
Fox Deportes
Original release
  • 2003 (2003) – 2011 (2011)
  • 2015 (2015) – present (present)

History
Further information: Soccer on Fox Sports

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.[3][4][5][6] Under the new deal, Fox would air 34 MLS matches between FS1 and the Fox network, as well as eight playoff games and each MLS Cup through the 2026 season. These matches will also air in Spanish on Fox Deportes[7]

Former 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.[8] This is a list of personalities from the time MLS matches were produced by Fox itself.

Play-by-play announcers
  1. John Strong (2015–2022)
  2. JP Dellacamera (2011, 2015–2022)
  3. Mark Followill (2018–2022)
  4. Derek Rae (2019)
  5. Keith Costigan (2019–2022)
  6. Adrian Garcia Marquez (2019–2022)
  7. Lisa Byington (2018; DCU v NE only)
  8. Jake Zivin (2020–2022)
  9. Jenn Hilldreth (2019; DCU v SKC only)
  10. Kate Scott (2021–2022)
  11. Nate Bukaty (2021–2022)
  12. Callum Williams (2022)

Color commentators
  1. Stuart Holden (2017–2022)
  2. Alexi Lalas (2015–2022)
  3. Maurice Edu (2018–2022)
  4. Cobi Jones (2018–2022)
  5. Warren Barton (2020–2022)
  6. Danielle Slaton (2018–2021)
  7. Cat Whitehill (2019; DCU v SKC only)
  8. Brad Friedel (2015–2017)
  9. Landon Donovan (2016–2017, 2022)
  10. Kyle Martino (2011)
  11. Brian Dunseth (2015–2017)
  12. Eric Wynalda (2006–2011)
  13. Brad Friedel (2015–2017)

Sideline reporters

Studio team

See also

References
  1. "MLS, U.S. Soccer sign landmark TV and media rights partnerships with ESPN, FOX & Univision Deportes" (Press release). Major League Soccer. May 13, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
  2. "MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER RETURNS TO FOX SPORTS" (PDF) (Press release). FOX Sports. May 12, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2020.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. Tannenwald, Jonathan (December 12, 2022). "Univision out of MLS regular-season and playoff TV broadcasts amid new Apple deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  4. Reedy, Joe (2022-06-14). "Apple, MLS announce 10-year streaming partnership". Associated Press. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  5. Young, Jabari. "As TV Deals Expire, Major League Soccer Fields Smaller Offers From ESPN, Fox Sports". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  6. Poindexter, Owen (2022-07-21). "MLS Eyes Reduced Linear Rights After Huge Streaming Deal". Front Office Sports. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  7. "Major League Soccer, FOX Sports, TelevisaUnivision, TSN & RDS Announce Multi-year Linear TV Rights Agreements" (Press release). Major League Soccer. December 13, 2022.
  8. Tannenwald, Jonathan (December 13, 2022). "MLS announces a limited TV package to go with its big Apple streaming deal". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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