Super Bowl LXI is two years away, but Joe Buck already believes it will be the “biggest day in ESPN history.”
Joe Buck Teases Super Bowl LXI
February 14, 2027, could go down as a seminal day for ESPN.
Super Bowl LXI is scheduled to be played on that day at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
For the first time, the “Big Game” will be televised by ESPN and ABC. ESPN has never aired the Super Bowl, while ABC has not broadcast the game since Super Bowl XL in 2006.
Buck has announced six Super Bowls in his broadcasting career. Super Bowl LXI will be his seventh and first for ESPN.
The Super Bowl used to rotate between CBS, NBC, and Fox, meaning Buck would call the game every three years. Buck felt that the three-year gap was about the “right pace” to call the game.
With Buck and Troy Aikman calling the game in 2027, the broadcaster teased the Super Bowl’s importance for ESPN.
I can’t wait to do it next year. We’re doing it next year at ABC/ESPN,” Buck told Pardon My Take. “It’s going to be the biggest day in ESPN history, I think, with what’s on the line. To get back into that rotation for Troy and me. There’s no day like it. And in broadcasting, to talk into a microphone and know there’s that many people on the other end — 94 percent of which are not listening to one word you’re saying, they want to watch the commercials and see if their bet worked – but it’s really cool.”
ESPN Already Preparing For Super Bowl LXI
This just in: NFL owners will vote today to award Super Bowl LXI to Los Angeles, per league sources. The Super Bowl is now returning to Los Angeles in the year 2027. pic.twitter.com/K8SbaNdclK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2023
Buck’s words are not far from the truth. Super Bowl LXI marks an important milestone for ESPN.
The company has been preparing for this moment ever since they were awarded the broadcast rights to Super Bowl LXI (2027) and LXV (2031).
ESPN poached Buck and Aikman away from Fox and signed them to be the voices of Monday Night Football. The duo is also on the call for an annual playoff game that airs on ESPN networks during the Wild Card Round.
Last month, ESPN agreed to a billion-dollar deal to purchase NFL Media. If the deal is approved, and many expect it to go into effect before the 2026 season, ESPN will control NFL Media and its assets, including NFL Network and NFL RedZone.
With NFL Media under ESPN’s control, the Worldwide Leader in Sports will have a star-studded roster of talent to help promote and preview Super Bowl LXI.
