Manning brothers coming to MNF telecasts

NFL royalty makes transition to booth

After years of trying, ESPN has finally landed its man. Or, in this case, its Manning.

Actually, make that Mannings, plural — as in Super Bowl-winning brothers Peyton and Eli Manning, who will offer commentary on 10 Monday Night Football games for each of the next three years.

ESPN announced Monday that the retired quarterbacks are set to be featured in a companion program to the network's main MNF telecast, which it said will bring back last year's announcing team of Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick, Lisa Salters and John Parry.

Peyton Manning, 45, and Eli Manning, 40, will be seen on ESPN2, along with a to-be-determined host and guest appearances from celebrities and other athletes.

The Monday Night Football MegaCast, which may also stream on ESPN Plus, will “originate from a remote location,” the network said, and will include “a mix of in-the-moment analysis, big picture NFL dialogue, kneejerk reaction, historical perspective, and more.”

Super Bowl champ in 2016, Peyton Manning proved notably adept in media appearances and as a commercial pitchman. Given his knack for comedic timing and understated wit, in addition to nearly unparalleled name recognition and knowledge of the game, he has been wooed by multiple NFL-partnered networks to serve as a lead analyst.

While not quite the calibre of quarterback that his older brother was, Eli Manning led the New York Giants on two memorable Super Bowl runs. Eli has displayed some of the same, appealing on-camera qualities as Peyton.

In a statement, Peyton Manning said his partnership with ESPN and its corporate parent, the Walt Disney Company, “reflects an ongoing, shared commitment to offering fans fun, innovative content.”

In 2019, he teamed with ESPN and NFL Films to create “Peyton's Places,” which celebrated the NFL's 100th anniversary by taking a lighthearted look at some of the more significant figures and moments in league history.