NBC Sports names broadcast crew for Saturday Night Big Ten package

NBC Sports has named their broadcasting crew for their brand new Saturday Big Ten package coming in 2023.

Live on Big Ten Saturday Night, the team of Todd Blackledge, Noah Eagle and Kathryn Tappen will bring the action into your living room, per a press release from NBC Sports on Thursday.

“NBC Sports today announced its Big Ten Saturday Night college football announce team, featuring Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Noah Eagle (play-by-play) in the booth and Kathryn Tappen as sideline reporter,” read the release. “Every weekend from Sept. 2 through Nov. 25, the trio will call a Big Ten Football game, which will be broadcast on NBC and simulstreamed on Peacock. 

“Big Ten Saturday Night highlights an NBC Sports-record 33 college football games in Fall 2023.”

Alas, Blackledge is the most notable name of the bunch, a former Penn State quarterback turned broadcaster who’s been a staple at ESPN over recent seasons. Additionally, Eagle is the son of broadcasting great Ian Eagle, and has been working NFL games in addition to his work with the Los Angeles Clippers over recent seasons, while Notre Dame fans will know Tappen from her work on the sidelines in South Bend over her career.

Continuing, NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood relayed the excitement of the network, pointing out how elated NBC Sports is to be rocking with the Big Ten.

“We are excited to showcase Big Ten Saturday Night on the NBC Sports’ primetime marquee,” said Flood, per the release. “When you hear Todd’s voice, you know it’s a big college football game. It has been that way for decades. Noah is one of the industry’s rising young play-by-play commentators, who has excelled calling numerous sports across multiple platforms for a wide range of audiences. We are thrilled to pair him in the booth with Todd. Kathryn has told the stories of so many memorable Notre Dame Football moments over the last decade in her on-field reporting and interviews.

“With their collective college football experience and great enthusiasm for the game, Todd, Noah and Kathryn join a production team that can’t wait to kick off the Big Ten season.”

New and exciting times for NBC Sports and the Big Ten. Football season can’t come soon enough.