ESPN has appointed Kay Murray as their co-host of its English-language coverage of LaLiga beginning with the 2021/22 season where she’ll be joined by co-host Dan Thomas. The two of them previously worked together at Real Madrid TV earlier in their careers.
In addition to appointing Murray as co-host, ESPN renewed Murray’s contract so she will be with the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader of Sports for the foreseeable future.
“I couldn’t be happier to be continuing my experience at ESPN, covering the things I’m most passionate about,” said Murray. “Having a chance to be a part of the exponential growth of soccer in the United States by broadcasting leagues such as LaLiga and the Bundesliga is very important to me. So, too, is serving the global audience in my role on SportsCenter.
“We’re both delighted to be covering a league that we love and a league that we have a lot of history with. Dan [Thomas] is my old flatmate in Madrid, so it’s wonderful to be together. I think it’s sixteen or seventeen seasons later that we are here covering LaLiga for the audience here in the United States. It’s a league that we know intricately. It’s a league that we’re happy to be continuing to cover and promote.”
Murray appeared on this week’s episode of the World Soccer Talk Podcast to break the news (see audio below; clip begins at minute 17:33):
After beginning her career at Middlesbrough FC’s Boro TV, the English-born presenter and analyst was a familiar face on beIN SPORTS’ broadcasts of LaLiga as well as hosting The XTRA and The Locker Room shows. She quickly established herself as a knowledgeable and charming host, where she regularly worked alongside analysts including Gary Bailey, Thomas Rongen, Ray Hudson and others. She also co-hosted the FIFA Ballon d’Or awards alongside Ruud Gullit. Murray left beIN SPORTS in 2019 to pursue other opportunities, and moved to New England with the aim of landing a job at one of the top sports networks in the country.
ESPN has the rights to LaLiga exclusively on ESPN+ through the end of the 2028/29 season, while select games will be available via television too. Joining Murray and Thomas for ESPN’s coverage of LaLiga, where the new season begins Friday, August 13, will include studio analysts Steve McManaman, Diego Forlan, Pablo Zabaleta, Luis Garcia, Hugo Sanchez and Mario Kempes.
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Michelangelo
August 9, 2021 at 1:51 pm
@Angelito- I appologize I did not know that since I starting learning about Phil Schoen from Bein Sports and Gol TV. Phil Schoen needs to join ESPN+ and bring his commentating into the mix. It would be nice to say Ray Hudson join as well but just one of them would be perfect. I’m a huge fan of Phil during El Classico matchups and Serie A games. He needs to join either ESPN Plus or Paramount Plus. Phil is a must and changes the evolution of football forever. Mateo Bonetti and Phil would work excellent together. Maybe even Matteo and Ray. Any thoughts? Thank you so much for your comment.
Angelito
August 9, 2021 at 12:44 pm
@Michelangelo
Phil Shoen did commentate Champions League on ESPN many times in the 90s and early 2000s and he was quite good at it. He also called three World Cups. Bringing him in even without Ray Hudson would be a great benefit for ESPN.
Michelangelo
August 6, 2021 at 12:09 pm
@Tom3- Ray Hudson and Phil Schoen weren’t mentioned yet to come to ESPN. However, I did see on Ray’s twitter that he left Bein Sports so that being said it makes sense if he goes to ESPN. As for Phil Schoen I would love to see them work together due to such a tight dynamic having Phil as the more serious commentator and Ray as the comedian they mesh in with each other like peanut butter and jelly simply amazing. I would love to see them come to Paramount Plus and commentate for the Serie A, Champions League, or Europa League. They have experience commentating for the Serie A which is excellent. However, they never commentated for the Champions League or Europa League so it would be a nice twist for them to commentate on the grandest stage. Thank you so much for your comment and what do you think of Ray and Phil and where they should go?
Tom3
August 6, 2021 at 11:46 am
Where are Ray and Phil?
Michelangelo
August 6, 2021 at 8:17 am
Bein sports fell to the ground and it feels like ESPN is becoming a global empire. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ray Hudson and Phil Schoen join the broadcast lineup. Kay Murray is simply brilliant and it’s important to have a women’s perspective on the beautiful game. Her insights are fantastic and she has an excellent in-depth analysis as well. Excellent pick up on ESPN’s standpoint.