NBC Announces Broadcast Teams

Published on January 16, 2003 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release

NEW YORK - Jan. 16, 2003 - Play-by-play announcer Tom Hammond, analyst Pat Haden and studio analyst Michael Irvin highlight a roster of knowledgeable and talented broadcasters named today as NBC Sports' Arena Football League announcers for the inaugural season of AFL on NBC coverage. The announcement was made by Ken Schanzer, President, NBC Sports.

NBC will kick off the AFL's 17th season on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 3 p.m. ET with regional coverage of four games, led by a rematch of last season's ArenaBowl XVI between the San Jose SaberCats and Arizona Rattlers at America West Arena.

Hammond and Haden will be joined on the lead announce team by sideline reporter Lewis Johnson. Al Trautwig will host the AFL on NBC studio show alongside Irvin, the former Dallas Cowboys All-Pro wide receiver Super Bowl Champion and co-analyst Glenn Parker, the former Buffalo Bills and N.Y. Giants offensive lineman who played in five Super Bowls during his 12-year NFL career.

Broadcast teams assigned to the other regional games will be Mike Breen (play-by-play) and Ray Bentley (analyst); Dan Hicks (play-by-play) and John Riggins (analyst); and Eli Gold (play-by-play) and Charles Davis (analyst). Sideline reporters Dave Burns and Marty Snider round out the AFL on NBC broadcast team. (See bios below).

"We have assembled an exciting and highly established group of professionals that offer incredible football expertise and perspective, as well as broadcasting and production experience," said Schanzer. "The AFL has been underexposed in its 17 years of existence and we truly believe that as football fans find the game and watch our broadcasts they will discover, as we have, that the AFL is a terrific product.

NBC will televise up to four games on Sunday afternoons for a total of as many as 70 games, including all playoff games and the league's championship game, ArenaBowl XVII on June 22, 2003.

Hammond: "I became sold on the product.

Said Hammond, "When NBC asked me to be involved, I took the time to investigate the game. I talked to a lot of people, attended games in person and I became sold on the product. This is real football, just different, with an emphasis on pacing. These are skilled players, that play at a very fast pace with lots of action.

"One thing I noticed at every game was how much fun everyone was having from the players on the field to the fans in the stands. That convinced me that if we can translate to the home viewer what I saw in-arena, it will be enjoyable for them as well.

NBC Sports has assigned multiple Emmy Award winners Ed Feibischoff and John Gonzalez as producer and director, respectively, for the lead game each week. Feibischoff and Gonzalez have worked the past two seasons on NBC's Notre Dame telecasts along with Hammond and Haden. Feibischoff's extensive resume with NBC includes producing the NBA and the past three NBA Finals; Major League Baseball, including the Divisional and Championship series; and the NFL. Feibischoff produces NBC's Olympic swimming and diving coverage and was the speed skating producer during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Gonzalez is one of the preeminent directors in the business, having directed four Super Bowls, including the most viewed television broadcast in history in 1996, and 15 Orange Bowls. He also directs NBC's coverage of the Visa Triple Crown.

"NBC Sports is putting its best resources on covering the AFL, which includes our top announcers, top producers, directors and on down the line," said Tommy Roy, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. "Our broadcasts will provide traditional football coverage but with enhanced audio. We're going to mike the coaches and quarterbacks and we've improved the customary Arena Football camera positions to allow us to better capture the action against the dasherboards.

In March 2002, NBC Sports and the Arena Football League reached a groundbreaking agreement to become revenue sharing partners in an historic national television contract. The deal carries no rights payment, renews in perpetuity at NBC's option and calls for NBC to share in the revenues derived from the increasing value of AFL franchises.

AFL ON NBC TALENT BIOS

Tom Hammond, Play-by-Play

Tom Hammond, one of the most versatile broadcasters in the business, is the voice of Notre Dame football on NBC and also serves as the host of NBC's coverage of the Visa Triple Crown and the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships. In Salt Lake City, his fifth Olympics with NBC, Hammond hosted figure skating. In his Summer Olympic duties, Hammond has established himself as one of the preeminent track and field play-by-play announcers. He also has called gymnastics at the Olympics. During the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Hammond received acclaim for his track play-by-play, particularly his call of Michael Johnson's historic double-gold medal performance in the 200-and 400-meters in Atlanta. Hammond also has worked on NBC's NBA and WNBA coverage as a play-by-play announcer.

Pat Haden, Analyst

Pat Haden joined NBC Sports in the fall of 1998 to handle analyst duties for the network's coverage of Notre Dame football. A 1975 graduate of the University of Southern California, Haden led the Trojans to three Rose Bowl appearances and two National Championships. At the 1975 Rose Bowl -- his final USC game -- he was named co-Most Valuable Player. He was also an Academic All-American in 1974 and 1975 and is a member of the G.T.E. Academic All-American Hall of Fame. A Rhodes scholar who went on to earn a law degree, Haden played six seasons for the Los Angeles Rams from 1976-81.

Lewis Johnson, Sideline Reporter

Lewis Johnson, who joined NBC Sports to work the 1999 Track and Field World Championships in Seville as a reporter, and also worked the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games in that same capacity. Most recently he worked as NBC's sideline reporter during Notre Dame football broadcasts. Johnson has worked on NBC's coverage of the NBA and the WNBA, as well as on NBC's Olympic coverage. Johnson served as a track and field analyst at the 2000 Sydney Games and contributed to the "Special Features Unit" and was a reporter at the bobsled venue during the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Johnson has also worked college football sidelines for Fox Sports Net. A track All-American at the University of Cincinnati, Johnson broke into broadcasting as a "runner" for ABC Sports and ESPN while competing on the pro track circuit in Europe.

Al Trautwig, Studio Host

Al Trautwig, a 22-year sportscasting veteran, joined NBC for his ninth Olympic assignment, and fourth with NBC, as the biathlon and cross-country commentator in Salt Lake. In Sydney, Tratuwig worked as the lead announcer on gymnastics coverage and called the triathlon and road cycling events. He also handles commentary on NBC's annual coverage of the Ironman Triathlon and worked as a reporter for NBC during the Barcelona Games in 1992.

Currently with Madison Square Garden Network, Trautwig has multiple responsibilities with MSG's coverage of the New York Knicks and Rangers. He also hosts the nightly show, "Angles," a 30-minute, issues-oriented program which focuses on current local and national news topics, an in-studio rotation of New York-based reporters and personalities, and features.

Trautwig's expansive Emmy Award-winning career has included stints with ABC Sports, where he hosted the Wide World of Sports and worked on nearly every major ABC broadcast event. He also spent time with USA Network in the ‘80s, where he was the cable network's signature sports voice, handling play-by-play on North American Soccer League, NCAA basketball, NHL, gymnastics, tennis and golf telecasts.

Michael Irvin, Studio Analyst

Michael Irvin, who retired in July 2000 after 12 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and three Super Bowl Championships, was one of the most popular and outspoken NFL players of his time, will provide analysis and commentary on NBC's Arena Football League studio show during pre-game and halftime coverage. In addition to his role on Fox Sports Net's "Best Damn Sports Show, Period," Irvin is also a member of FSN's NFL pre-game show, "The NFL Show." Last season Irvin was the television analyst for the AFL's Dallas Desperados.

The all-time leading receiver for the Cowboys, Irvin played his entire professional career in Dallas. A member of the Cowboys' "Big Three," Irvin, along with teammates Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith, led the Cowboys to Super Bowl championships in 1992, 1993 and 1995. A five-time Pro Bowler, Irvin's best season was 1995 when he set career highs with 111 catches for 1,603 yards and 10 touchdowns. Irvin was a first-round draft pick out of the University of Miami, where he led the Hurricanes to a national championship in 1987.

Glenn Parker, Studio Analyst

A popular interview subject during his 12-year NFL career, Glenn Parker launches his broadcasting career as an AFL on NBC studio analyst alongside Michael Irvin and host Al Trautwig. A 6-5, 312-pound offensive lineman who played in five Super Bowls, the versatile Parker started at every offensive line position except center during his 12-year NFL career with Buffalo (1990-96), Kansas City (1997-99) and the N.Y. Giants (2000-01). While in Buffalo, he became one of only four players in NFL history to reach the Super Bowl in each of his first four seasons.

Drafted by the Bills from the University of Arizona in 1990, Parker spent his first seven seasons with them before signing with the Kansas City Chiefs just two days prior to the 1997 season opener. Parker spent three seasons with the Chiefs, collecting team MVP honors in 1998. He played the final two seasons of his NFL career with the Giants.

Parker attended Edison H.S. in Huntington Beach, Calif., but did not compete in athletics. He grew up a self-proclaimed "beach bum," and enjoys riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. A wine connoisseur and avid cook, Parker had a recipe appear in "The NFL Family Cookbook.

Mike Breen, Play-by-Play

Mike Breen has served as a play-by-play announcer on a variety of NBC Sports properties including the NFL (1997-99), NBA, WNBA and college football. Breen worked his third Olympics for NBC last February, calling the action on ski jumping telecasts in Salt Lake. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Breen pulled double duty, calling both men's and women's basketball games after calling the women's tournament in Atlanta in 1996.

The television voice of the New York Knicks on MSG, Breen is in his ninth season with the team. Breen also hosts "NY Hoop Beat with Mike Breen," the thrice weekly look at the NBA, featuring conversations with both the stars and the executives. He also has filled in as host of "MSG SportsDesk," the nightly sports news show, "Yankee ScoreCard" and "Knicks Gamenight," as well as assorted play-by-play duties for Big East and Atlantic 10 basketball games. From 1992-97, Breen served as the Knicks radio voice. He also served as sports correspondent for the popular "Imus in the Morning" syndicated radio program.

Ray Bentley, Analyst

Ray Bentley, who served as a play-by-play announcer and analyst on Fox Sports NFL and NFL Europe telecasts from 1997-2001, will work as an analyst alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Breen on AFL on NBC broadcasts. In October 2002, Bentley resigned as AFL Buffalo Destroyers Head Coach/General Manager after leading the team to two playoff berths in his two-plus seasons. At midseason 2000, Bentley took over a team which had gone 1-17 since its inception and compiled a 17-21 record.

Bentley, a former Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals linebacker, began his 10-year pro-football career in 1983 with the USFL's Michigan Panthers before joining the Bills in 1986. During his tenure with the Bills, he played in Super Bowls XXV and XXVI and was a teammate of AFL on NBC studio analyst Glenn Parker. In 1992, Bentley joined the Bengals, but a severe knee injury ended his football career in his first season in Cincinnati.

Bentley attended Central Michigan University, where he was an English major and earned All-MAC honors as a linebacker (1981-82). He was named the Mid American Conference MVP and MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 1982. He is the author of seven "Darby the Dinosaur" children's books.

Dan Hicks, Play-by-Play

Dan Hicks is in his fourth season as host of NBC's Emmy Award-winning golf coverage. Working alongside acclaimed analyst Johnny Miller in the 18th tower, Hicks anchors NBC's coverage of the U.S. Open, the Ryder Cup, The Players Championship and the rest of NBC's golf tour, which is network television's premier golf package.

Since joining NBC Sports in June 1992 as a play-by-play announcer, Hicks has called a wide variety of sports, ranging from Olympic speed skating and swimming (1996, 2000) to NFL and NBA games. During NBC's coverage of the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games, Hicks handled speed skating play-by-play while also serving as host of NBC's late night show and Closing Ceremony coverage. His initial Olympic experience for the network came in 1992 at the Summer Olympics in Barcelona, where he served as one of the studio hosts.

John Riggins, Analyst

John Riggins, who during his 14-year, Hall of Fame career with the Jets and Redskins, was known almost as much for his irreverent and colorful personality as he was for his punishing style as a running back, will offer analysis on AFL on NBC telecasts alongside play-by-play announcer Dan Hicks. A powerful running back who wore down opposing defenses, Riggins played in two Super Bowls (1983-84). He earned MVP honors in Super Bowl XVII after rushing for 166 yards, including a 43-yard, fourth-quarter TD run on fourth and one to help Washington defeat Miami 27-17. Riggins was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1992.

Riggins' broadcasting experience includes analysis for Westwood One/CBS Radio on NFL regular season and playoff broadcasts. He also contributes to "Redskins Report," a football talk show hosted by George Michael on WRC-TV in Washington, D. C.; hosts "Sportswrap with John Riggins," a weekly hour-long program during the NFL season on WTEM in D.C.; and is the NFL commentator for the Score, a national sports radio network in Canada.

In addition to his broadcasting experience, Riggins has pursued a successful acting career, most notably appearing in "Gillette," an off-Broadway play in New York.

Riggins retired following the 1985 season as the Redskins' all-time leader with 7,472 rushing yards and 79 rushing touchdowns. In 1984, he rushed for 1,239 yards on 327 carries, with a league-leading 14 touchdowns. Riggins' finest season was 1983, when he totaled 1,347 rushing yards and a then-NFL record 24 touchdowns, helping Washington reach Super Bowl XVII, where they lost to the L.A. Raiders.

Washington signed Riggins as a free agent in 1976 following five seasons with the New York Jets, who selected Riggins as their No. 1 pick in 1971. An All-American at Kansas, Riggins was the Big Eight Conference rushing champion, breaking Gale Sayers' school rushing record.

Eli Gold, Play-by-Play

Eli Gold has been the radio play-by-play voice of Alabama Crimson Tide football since 1988 - the last five seasons with Kenny Stabler as his color analyst. Prior to joining NBC Sports, Gold handled play-by-play on Arena Football League telecasts on TNN for the past three years.

NASCAR fans know Gold for his radio work with the Motor Racing Network dating back to May of 1976. He has served in a variety of capacities including, co-anchor, announcer and pit reporter. Since 1982, Gold has hosted "NASCAR Live," the weekly syndicated call-in show on MRN. Gold has also worked in a play-by-play role with both CBS Sports and NBC Sports in their coverage of NASCAR.

Gold has handled various play-by-play assignments over the years, including assignments with CBS Sports. Gold also spent nine years working as a professional hockey announcer in the Eastern, North American, Southern, American and Central Hockey Leagues, as well as the World Hockey Association (Birmingham Bulls) and the National Hockey League (St. Louis Blues).

Next fall, Gold will handle play-by-play for one NFL game each weekend on SportsUSA Radio, as well as call postseason college football bowl and All-Star games for SportsUSA Radio.

Charles Davis, Analyst

Charles Davis will offer analysis alongside play-by-play announcer Eli Gold on AFL on NBC telecasts. In November 2002 Davis contributed analysis to NBC Sports' coverage of the Bayou Classic between Grambling and Southern. Last season he also served as an analyst on TBS Superstation's "Big Play Saturday," telecasts of Big 12 and Pac 10 college football games.

Davis served as a sideline reporter on CBS' coverage of the 2001 and 2002 NCAA Basketball Tournament. He also handled the sideline reporting for Jefferson Pilot's SEC Football Game of the Week from 2000-2001, as well as hosted their SEC Football Today pre-game show and SEC-TV halftime show. Davis was a standout at the University of Tennessee, where in 1986 he was voted to the Academic All-SEC team. Davis is a frequent contributor to the Sunshine Network, offering game analysis and news reports.

Dave Burns, Sideline Reporter

Burns, who worked the Notre Dame sideline during NBC's coverage of the 2002 Toyota Gator Bowl between the Fighting Irish and N.C. State, joined NBC in 2001 as a pit reporter for NBC & TNT's NASCAR's coverage. Burns began his career in racing as the public address announcer for the American Speed Association from 1990-93. In 1993, he became an analyst on ASA radio broadcasts and later became the series' radio play-by-play voice. In 1996, Burns began his television career as a pit reporter for TNN's ASA telecasts. In 1998-99, he worked as a pit reporter for ESPN on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and various other motorsports assignments.

Marty Snider, Sideline Reporter

Snider, who worked the N.C. State sideline during NBC's coverage of the 2002 Toyota Gator Bowl between the Wolfpack and Notre Dame, joined NBC in 2001 as a pit reporter for NASCAR on NBC & TNT. Snider was CNN/SI's NASCAR reporter from 1998-2001, filing regular reports from every NASCAR Winston Cup event. Snider continues to report for CNN when a major NASCAR story breaks. From 1994-97, he worked as a reporter and associate producer for ESPN's "NASCAR Today.

Snider worked as a sports reporter for WYFF, the NBC affiliate in Greenville, S.C. from 1993-94 and WGHP in Greensboro, N.C. from 1991-93. He began working for WGHP as an intern and was hired as a sports reporter and was actually on the air while he was finishing his senior year of college.

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 16, 2003

• SaberCats Sign QB Bob Bees - San Jose SaberCats
• Scrimmage/Season Ticket Holder Party January 18 - Buffalo Destroyers
• Shared Practices Highlight 2003 Preparations - AFL I
• NBC Announces Broadcast Teams - AFL I
• Empire Sports, WNSA Team Up With Destroyers - Buffalo Destroyers

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