"We continue to bolster ESPN's place as the front door for sports fans as we build out ESPN's 'marketplace of sports,' creating a single destination for fans."
"Networks like FOX Sports understand that shoulder programming needs more than discussion. It needs personality and personalities who bring out the characters of others. That's the magic of Alexi Lalas."
"What I'm hearing more from friends behind the scenes is that they love the type of tension and drama that has been created from that. It's almost become something they look forward to tuning in and seeing."
"FOX Sports has been a tremendous partner for Concacaf and the Gold Cup, and we are very excited to expand our relationship to include the Concacaf Nations League as the competition continues to grow in relevance and impact across the region."
"I am pleased that FIFA no longer tries to turn non-soccer fans into soccer fans. Instead, this year's World Cup has presented the best of what the game offers, thereby drawing eyeballs to the action."
"Every four years, somebody asks if this is finally soccer’s breakthrough moment. At some point, we have to stop asking whether soccer is arriving and start recognizing that it already has."
News/talk has produced Marconi winners and finalists for years. Hosts who've been recognized before -- or who've built shows around exactly the kind of local connection and audience loyalty the Marconis are meant to honor -- don't typically forget to apply.