Kershaw, Rizzo & Votto Join NBC Baseball Broadcast Team | MLB News

NBC Assembles Star-Studded Baseball Broadcast Team

NBC is bolstering its return to Major League Baseball coverage with a high-profile team of analysts, including recently retired stars Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo and Joey Votto. The network announced the hires during Sunday’s Super Bowl pregame show, signaling a significant investment in its baseball programming.

Kershaw, Rizzo, and Votto will contribute to pregame shows leading into “Sunday Night Baseball” broadcasts, as well as provide analysis during NBC and Peacock’s coverage of the Wild Card round of the playoffs. Their roles will be adjusted based on their individual schedules and availability, according to NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood.

Kershaw, a three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, concluded an 18-season career with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, helping the team secure their third World Series title in six seasons. Rizzo, a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner at first base, played 14 seasons for three different teams, famously securing the final out of the 2016 World Series for the Chicago Cubs, ending a 108-year championship drought. He officially retired in September.

Votto, who spent 17 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2010, retired in 2024. All three players were highly sought after by networks looking to add experienced voices to their broadcast teams this offseason.

“We’re excited to welcome Clayton, Anthony and Joey, three stars right off the field who can provide fresh perspective on the players, teams, and everything that makes baseball special,” Flood said in a statement. “We look forward to rolling out some new concepts to take advantage of the unique insights of each analyst, beginning on Opening Day.”

NBC has also brought back veteran broadcaster Bob Costas to host the “Sunday Night Baseball” pregame show, alongside Ahmed Fareed. The network has yet to announce its play-by-play announcers and game analysts.

The network is also leveraging its MLB partnership for promotional opportunities. A new spot featuring New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and NBC personalities debuted during the Super Bowl pregame show and will also air during NBC’s coverage of the Winter Olympics.

“Our new partnership with NBC and Peacock is off to an incredible start,” said Uzma Rawn Dowler, MLB’s Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Partnerships. “They are promoting one of our top stars in a new spot, integrating popular NBC talent, and airing it in highly viewed programming. NBC’s promotional plans for MLB have been creative and demonstrate they are bringing great energy to promoting baseball.”

NBC’s return to regular MLB coverage marks a significant shift in the league’s broadcasting landscape. The network previously carried games from 1939 through 1989, and also had a brief partnership with ABC through the Baseball Network in 1994 and 1995. It also aired playoff games from 1996 through 2000.

NBC’s 2026 baseball season will kick off with an opening-day doubleheader on March 26. The first game will feature the Pittsburgh Pirates, led by reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes, against the New York Mets and Juan Soto at 1 p.m. Eastern on NBC and Peacock. Later that evening, at 8 p.m. Eastern, the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will host the Arizona Diamondbacks in a primetime matchup.

“Sunday Night Baseball” will debut on Peacock and NBCSN on March 29 with a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Seattle Mariners. The first “Sunday Night Baseball” game on NBC is scheduled for April 12, featuring the Guardians visiting the Atlanta Braves.

NBC will air “Sunday Night Baseball” games from May 31 through September 6, following a six-week period of exclusive coverage on Peacock and NBCSN.