MLB has a star-studded cast for 2026 season's NBC Sports coverage

Late last year, ESPN opted out of its deal with Major League Baseball regarding broadcasting games. To take ESPN’s place for the 2026 season, Major League Baseball turned to NBC, Peacock and Netflix to take over. 

With "Sunday Night Baseball" returning to NBC for the first time in over 25 years and to help usher in the network's return, Major League Baseball announced that former big leaguers Clayton Kershaw, Joey Votto and Anthony Rizzo will headline NBC’s analysis for its pregame shows. Kershaw, Votto and Rizzo will also be on air for NBC’s exclusive coverage of the wild-card round. 

Between the three, they bring close to 50 years of baseball experience, with Kershaw (three) and Rizzo (one) having four World Series titles combined. 

NBC couldn’t have chosen a better trio to headline its Major League Baseball coverage 

Also joining will be longtime broadcaster Bob Costas, who will help host the pregame show along with Kershaw, Votto and Rizzo. All will give valuable insight into how the game is played, with all recently retiring this past season.