Familiar ESPN Faces Will Be Seen On NBC’s Coverage Of Summer Olympics From Tokyo

The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo is tomorrow morning. As the contest continues over the next few weeks, viewers will be able to see some of ESPN’s most recognizable faces on NBC’s coverage of the Games.

Several analysts, reporters and commentators typically associated with ESPN are among the contributors to various NBC platforms. Although this is nothing new and has happened before for the Olympics and other sports, it is still surprising for a sports fan to see someone who is usually seen on one network on another.

“It’s good to see the level of talent, knowledge and energy that viewers see on ESPN when other networks want to increase coverage of a big event like the Summer Olympics,” said ESPN Vice President, Event and Studio Production & Executive Editor, Norby Williamson. “We are excited to do this with all participants and look forward to seeing the results.”

Many of those who help NBC at the Games will also be contributing to ESPN’s news platforms when needed in Japan.

For commentators, the opportunity to help bring the Olympics back home to America is an honor.

“I’m excited to be invited to the U.S. Olympic football game with Arlo White from Japan. There is nothing like the magic of the Olympics, and it is unique in that it is done directly and personally, given last year’s challenges. ”

“I’m thankful for that and I’m happy that ESPN‘ loaned ’me to NBC Sports for two weeks to cover the Tokyo Olympics. So many of the athletes I cover are players who I grew up with in their roles on ESPN as college basketball, international basketball, and NBA Draft analyst. It’s an invaluable opportunity that no one often gets in their careers. ”

“With two Olympics, there is no bigger stage than the Olympics. So much passion and commitment over the four years (in this case five people) to get here – in addition to wearing a softball has a special place in my heart. It’s been the last 13 years since the Olympics, the last time I’ve played on the field. It’s a special moment of time when the return of softball and baseball is recorded here, in Tokyo. ”

“It’s an incredibly high honor to travel to Tokyo to cover the Olympics. Sport has had a profound effect on my life, so the opportunity to become one of the world’s greatest athletes on the world’s largest arena while learning different sports and cultures is a dream come true. ”

Bill Hoffheimer, Kim Elchlepp and Ben Kafardo contributed to this story.