Report: Rich Eisen leading candidate to anchor play-by-play duties for YouTube's NFL broadcast

Rich Eisen is reportedly the leading candidate to be the play-by-play man for YouTube’s first NFL broadcast this season, per The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand. Eisen recently announced a move back to ESPN, taking his radio show to its platforms.

Eisen has play-by-play experience with NFL Network, annually calling the league’s international games, mostly in London. Kurt Warner was already tabbed YouTube’s color commentator, so reuniting him with Eisen makes sense.

The Rich Eisen Show will air national from 12 noon ET to 3 p.m. ET beginning September 2nd. It’ll be the staple of ESPN Radio in less than two months and also appear on Disney+ and ESPN+. The four-letter-network’s direct to consumer app is set to debut this fall.

Marchand also reported Eisen will host his own podcast for ESPN that is yet-to-be-named. It’ll center around him interviewing former SportsCenter colleagues. 

Back in 2003, Eisen left ESPN for NFL Network to become the face of the channel. He will remain the featured host on NFL Network’s GameDay and NFL Draft coverage, per Marchand. The esteemed host will also call select regular season games for NFL Network. Now, he can add YouTube to his resume.

In February, the NFL announced its return to  Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil for a Friday night Week 1 game, kicking off the 2025 International Games. The Los Angeles Chargers will play in the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

“We are excited to expand our relationship with YouTube to bring this year’s Brazil game to a worldwide audience,” said Hans Schroeder, NFL executive vice president of media distribution. “YouTube and YouTube TV have been incredible partners of the NFL for several years and boast an immense global reach, and we look forward to Week 1 in São Paulo.”

“Last year, people spent over 350 million hours watching official NFL content on YouTube, so it’s both fitting and thrilling to continue to build our relationship with our partners at the NFL,” said Mary Ellen Coe, chief business officer, YouTube. “Streaming the Friday night game to fans for free around the world will mark YouTube’s first time as a live NFL broadcaster – and we’ll do it in a way that only YouTube can, with an interactive viewing experience and creators right at the center of the experience.”