When you’re watching an NFL game, a great broadcast team can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy the contest.
The chemistry between a play-by-play announcer and color commentator is key in engaging an audience, and the best broadcast teams teach viewers about the game by breaking things down in a simple, entertaining way. It’s not just close scores that keep fans tuned in, but also hearing the knowledge and emotions of both commentators in the booth.
Who are the best broadcast crews entering the 2024 season? Let’s break down the top 10.
Top 10 Broadcasting Crews This NFL Season
This year marks the debut of NFL legend and seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady in the broadcast booth. Brady spent all of last year learning and shadowing others at Fox Sports to prepare for his new role.
While Brady is labeled the No. 1 QB ever and arguably the NFL’s greatest of all time, he doesn’t claim the top spot on our broadcast crew rankings. No. 1 on our list is a two-person crew that has had a two-decade run together and plenty of experience behind the mic.
1) Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, ESPN/ABC
These two were once considered a “B” team at Fox Sports. However, following the departures of the iconic Pat Summerall and John Madden, Buck and Aikman immediately moved to the top of Fox’s pecking order alongside Cris Collinsworth.
But now, the Buck/Aikman partnership has called six Super Bowls together, plus more than 40 playoff games. They’re the longest-tenured broadcasting team and officially enter their third season with ESPN/ABC’s Monday Night Football.
2) Jim Nantz and Tony Romo, CBS
Nantz and Romo have the second-longest tenure of any broadcast duo as they enter their eighth season together.
Romo is the one who garners the most attention and fanfare, as he has shown a unique enthusiasm for the game and an ability to predict plays in real-time before they happen.
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The top NFL team at CBS has broadcasted three Super Bowls together, including last year’s overtime thriller between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
3) Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit, Amazon Prime
While Michaels has a lengthy history of collaborating with legends like Madden, Collinsworth, Dan Dierdorf, and the late Frank Gifford, he’s established a strong rapport with Herbstreit through Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football coverage.
On Herbstreit’s end, he’s proven his versatility by balancing his college football and NFL broadcasting responsibilities. Ironically, these two both had lengthy tenures at ABC but never actually worked together until Amazon signed them.
4) Mike Tirico and Cris Collinsworth, NBC
Collinsworth often gets criticized for sounding too repetitive during broadcasts. However, no one can deny that he and Tirico work well together. The duo is heading into their third year as NBC’s top NFL team and their chemistry is evident.
Tirico brings insightful commentary and a knack for engaging the late-evening NFL audience. Longtime sideline reporter Melissa Stark also strengthens this crew with her presence and reporting.
5) Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady, Fox
Here’s where Brady and Burkhardt land. Fox’s top broadcast team still manages to crack the top five, but they have yet to call a game together and Brady is unproven, which is the reason behind their No. 5 ranking.
Many fans are looking forward to hearing Brady’s voice and analysis once Week 1 arrives, and it remains to be seen how polished he’ll sound as a first-time broadcaster. These two are going to be under the microscope and they’ll likely be the most scrutinized broadcast team throughout the 2024 NFL season.
6) Joe Davis and Greg Olsen, Fox
Olsen may be getting a demotion after working alongside Burkhardt and Erin Andrews on Fox’s top team. However, he’s one of the strongest color commentators with his excellent attention-to-detail.
In fact, back in May, Olsen won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality – Event Analyst. He has now won a Sports Emmy in back-to-back years.
MORE: Did Fox Make the Right Call Demoting Greg Olsen For Tom Brady?
Fox clearly still values Olsen and kept him on board. Now, he gets to work with veteran Los Angeles Dodgers play-by-play announcer Davis.
7) Ian Eagle and Charles Davis, CBS
If it weren’t for the Nantz/Romo pairing, Eagle and Davis could make a case for being the top NFL broadcasting team at CBS.
Eagle has had a stellar career calling NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments, NBA games, and even the French Open and the famed Army-Navy college football rivalry game. He’s certainly one of the most versatile broadcasters.
Davis, meanwhile, has had a unique journey that involves him not playing a down in the NFL, yet he has emerged as one of the more knowledgeable analysts around.
8) Adam Amin and Mark Sanchez, Fox
Sanchez has witnessed a steady climb as a broadcast color commentator. He approaches his calls with energy and enthusiasm.
He and Amin, who also carries an MLB and NBA broadcaster background, are lined up as the No. 3 team for Fox.
9) Kevin Harlan and Trent Green, CBS
Like Amin/Sanchez, Harland and Green are their network’s No. 3 option for NFL coverage. However, the duo deserves credit for the great job they do on Sundays.
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Harlan has been an active play-by-play announcer since 1982, and Green excelled out the gate as a color commentator when he dove into the work in 2009 at Fox. He’s also done radio broadcast work.
