In a blockbuster announcement that shook the sports media landscape during the Super Bowl LIX pregame broadcast, NBC Sports revealed its new powerhouse broadcast team for the 2026 MLB season. Recently retired icons Clayton Kershaw, Anthony Rizzo, and Joey Votto have officially signed on as lead analysts, forming a "dream team" for the network's highly anticipated return to primetime baseball coverage. As MLB spring training news 2026 begins to heat up, this move signals NBC's commitment to dominating the airwaves with its new NBC Sunday Night Baseball 2026 package.
The Ultimate Analyst Trio: Kershaw, Rizzo, and Votto
NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood didn't mince words when unveiling the new lineup, calling it "a collection of the most baseball-savvy minds of this generation." The trio will provide expert commentary for the network's marquee Sunday Night Baseball broadcasts and serve as the primary studio team for exclusive Postseason Wild Card coverage on Peacock. They will be joined by legendary host Bob Costas and Ahmed Fareed, bridging NBC's historic baseball legacy with its modern future.
For fans, the addition of a Clayton Kershaw NBC analyst role is perhaps the most surprising and exciting development. Fresh off winning his third World Series title with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, Kershaw brings unparalleled pitching insight straight from the mound to the microphone. His transition from ace to analyst has been one of the most talked-about topics of the offseason.
Clayton Kershaw: From the Mound to the Mic
Clayton Kershaw's retirement following the 2025 season marked the end of one of the greatest pitching careers in history. Leaving the game on top after clinching a third championship ring, the three-time Cy Young winner initially played his post-career cards close to the vest. His decision to join NBC Sports immediately keeps him in the spotlight.
"I always said I wanted to stay close to the game, but I didn't think it would happen this fast," Kershaw said during the broadcast reveal. "To be able to break down the game alongside guys like Anthony and Joey—who I battled against for years—is a unique challenge I'm ready for." Viewers can expect Kershaw to deconstruct pitching mechanics and game strategy with the same precision he used to dissect opposing lineups for 18 seasons.
Votto and Rizzo: Personality and Pedigree
While Kershaw brings the pitcher's perspective, the hitting insights will come from two of the game's most charismatic figures. Joey Votto NBC Sports coverage promises to be must-watch television. The former NL MVP, who retired in 2024, has long been a fan favorite for his intellectual yet quirky approach to hitting and his candid interviews. Votto's ability to articulate the psychological battle between pitcher and batter is expected to be a highlight of the MLB broadcast analysts 2026 lineup.
Rounding out the trio is Anthony Rizzo. The Anthony Rizzo retirement 2026 narrative has been a major storyline leading up to this season. After a challenging end to his tenure with the Yankees and officially hanging up his cleats in September 2025, Rizzo brings a wealth of championship experience—most notably from the Chicago Cubs' historic 2016 run. Known for his clubhouse leadership and high baseball IQ, Rizzo acts as the perfect foil to Votto's cerebral style.
NBC's Major League Comeback
This star-studded hiring spree coincides with NBC's aggressive re-entry into Major League Baseball. Under the new three-year media rights deal announced late last year, the network reclaimed the rights to NBC Sunday Night Baseball 2026, a franchise it hasn't held in decades. The package includes exclusive primetime games, the "Opening Day" showcase on March 26, and a new Labor Day primetime tradition.
Furthermore, the Peacock MLB schedule has been significantly expanded. Peacock will be the exclusive home for the entire Wild Card round, ensuring that Kershaw, Rizzo, and Votto will be the voices guiding fans through the most chaotic days of October baseball. The network also plans to introduce a "Sunday Leadoff" package and a whip-around show, with the new analysts making regular appearances.
What to Expect This Season
With MLB spring training news 2026 already filtering in from Florida and Arizona, the debut of this new broadcast team is imminent. NBC has confirmed that the trio will make their first on-air appearance together on Opening Day, March 26, when the World Series champion Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks. It will be a poetic start for Kershaw, analyzing his former teammates as they raise another banner.
As the landscape of sports media shifts, NBC has made a clear statement: they aren't just broadcasting games; they are curating a baseball experience led by the legends who defined the last two decades of the sport.
