NBC Sports’ Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth are heading into the NFL’s biggest night of the year next month with a mix of excitement and respect for the league’s broadcast ecosystem. Tirico, calling his first Super Bowl this year, told CNBC’s Alex Sherman that he believes NFL on-air coverage has never been stronger.
“I love listening to Joe [Buck] and Troy [Aikman] on Monday nights. Love listening to Kevin [Burkhardt] and Tom Brady on the Sundays, and same with Jim [Nantz] and Tony [Romo]. Of course, Kirk [Herbstreit] and Al [Michaels] on Thursday nights,” Tirico said. “I don’t think our business has ever been done any better, I really don’t. Top to bottom, so many good broadcasters, so many good games. It’s nice to be a part of it.”
Collinsworth, who has works alongside Tirico on Sunday Night Football, emphasized the unique storytelling approach required for the prime-time broadcast. Unlike early Sunday afternoon games that cater to multiple matchups, fantasy leagues, and betting audience. Collinsworth said Sunday Night Football must take viewers on a narrative journey.
“I don’t think that we can really do what others may do at one o’clock on Sunday,” he explained. “I think Sunday night has to be more of a show, and has to be more of a story that has like a beginning, a middle and an end.”
Tirico, who will handle play-by-play for the Super Bowl this year, described how he approaches such a massive audience. He said connecting with viewers is about treating each person as if they’re the only one listening, rather than addressing the entire stadium at home.
“There’s only one person listening on the other side of the camera. You can’t broadcast to 100 plus million people at the same time and think they’re all absorbing,” Tirico said. “Somebody’s up getting a drink, somebody’s hanging on your every word, somebody’s talking to a friend. You just try to talk to one person, no matter how big or small the audience might be, and connect with them, because they’re all hearing the same thing in different ways.”
Despite his extensive experience, Tirico admitted he is feeling the natural nerves that come with a first Super Bowl assignment.
“Is there the build up different for Super Bowl? Of course it is, and having not gone through it before, I don’t know if it’ll feel any different. I’m gonna try to treat it the same way and just try to be relaxed and enjoy and talk to people. Hopefully my partner gets me through it. So I am nervous,” he said.
As NBC prepares for one of its marquee sports broadcasts, Tirico and Collinsworth’s comments highlight the skill, preparation, and respect involved. They show that Sunday night — and now the Super Bowl — is more than just a game.
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