Fox Sports is set to deliver comprehensive coverage of the UEFA Women’s European Championship, featuring a blend of prominent figures and new voices. Carli Lloyd, Julie Ertz, and Alexi Lalas will headline the broadcast team, offering viewers expert analysis and insights throughout the tournament. This marks a significant investment by Fox Sports in women’s soccer, aiming to capitalize on the sport’s growing popularity and viewership.
With a mix of seasoned veterans and recently retired U.S. women’s national team stars, Fox Sports aims to provide in-depth studio analysis and on-the-ground coverage. The broadcast team includes World Cup winners and National Soccer Hall of Famers, ensuring a high level of expertise. This strategic approach underscores the network’s commitment to delivering top-tier soccer content to its audience.
The coverage will span all 31 matches of the tournament, broadcast across Fox, FS1, and FS2, ensuring accessibility for fans. This extensive broadcast plan, coupled with a seasoned broadcast team, positions Fox Sports as a key player in the coverage of women’s soccer. The network aims to build on its previous successes, including record viewership for the 2015 Women’s World Cup final.
Carli Lloyd and Julie Ertz Anchor Studio Coverage
Carli Lloyd, a two-time World Cup winner and National Soccer Hall of Famer, will lead the studio coverage for Fox Sports. Lloyd’s experience as a studio analyst, which began at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, brings a seasoned perspective to the broadcast. Her insights and tactical analysis are expected to enhance the viewer experience, providing a deeper understanding of the game.
Julie Ertz, another USWNT legend, will be joining Lloyd in the studio. This marks Ertz’s first time working with Fox Sports, though she previously appeared as a guest analyst during TNT’s coverage of the 2024 SheBelieves Cup semifinals. Ertz’s transition from the field to the broadcast booth is seen as a natural progression, given her tactical acumen and passion for the game.
Ariane Hingst, who won two World Cups with Germany, will also contribute to the studio coverage. Hingst’s international experience adds another layer of expertise to the broadcast team, providing viewers with a global perspective on women’s soccer. Together, Lloyd, Ertz, and Hingst create a formidable team of analysts, promising comprehensive and insightful coverage.
“I always enjoyed the tactical part of the game,” Ertz told The Athletic. “I honestly never planned what I would do or how I would feel after retirement, but this feels like such a natural transition. I love being able to watch incredible soccer and talk about the game with legends.” Her enthusiasm and analytical skills are expected to make her a valuable addition to the Fox Sports broadcast team.
Alexi Lalas and Stu Holden Join the Analyst Team
Longtime Fox analyst and National Soccer Hall of Famer Alexi Lalas will also be part of the broadcast team. Lalas brings his signature style and outspoken opinions to the coverage, ensuring lively and engaging discussions. His extensive knowledge of the game and experience as a broadcaster make him a key asset for Fox Sports.
Former USMNT midfielder Stu Holden will also contribute to the coverage. Holden’s experience as a player and analyst provides viewers with a unique perspective, bridging the gap between the field and the broadcast booth. His insights into the game’s intricacies are expected to enhance the viewer experience, offering valuable analysis and commentary.
British broadcaster Jules Breach, who hosted Fox’s UEFA Men’s Euro 2024 coverage last summer, will lead the team. Breach’s experience as a host and her knowledge of European soccer make her well-suited to guide the broadcast. Her presence ensures a smooth and engaging viewing experience for fans, connecting different segments seamlessly.
Together, Lalas, Holden, and Breach form a dynamic trio, each bringing unique skills and perspectives to the broadcast. Their collective expertise promises comprehensive and entertaining coverage of the Women’s Euros, appealing to a wide range of soccer fans.
Experienced Play-by-Play Announcers
Fox’s play-by-play booth includes British broadcaster Jacqui Oatley, who made history in 2022 as the first woman to call a men’s World Cup match for a U.S. network. Oatley’s experience and expertise make her a valuable asset for Fox Sports. Her presence ensures professional and engaging coverage of the matches.
Seasoned soccer broadcasters John Strong and JP Dellacamera will also be part of the play-by-play team. Strong and Dellacamera bring years of experience to the booth, providing viewers with accurate and informative commentary. Their knowledge of the game and ability to convey the excitement of the matches are expected to enhance the viewing experience.
Their collective experience guarantees that viewers will receive top-notch coverage of the Women’s Euros, with expert commentary and engaging play-by-play analysis. This ensures that the matches are both informative and entertaining, catering to a broad audience.
Diverse Analyst Perspectives
Former players-turned-analysts Lori Lindsey (USWNT), Lianne Sanderson (England) and Jen Beattie (Scotland), who retired after an 18-year playing career, will join them in the booth. Beattie will also contribute to the studio show. Lindsey and Oatley are reuniting at this tournament after calling matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
Lindsey, Sanderson, and Beattie bring diverse perspectives to the broadcast, representing different national teams and playing styles. Their experiences as former players provide unique insights into the game, enhancing the viewer experience and offering valuable analysis. Their presence ensures comprehensive and inclusive coverage of the Women’s Euros, appealing to a global audience.
This diverse team of analysts, coupled with experienced play-by-play announcers, positions Fox Sports as a leader in soccer broadcasting, committed to providing top-tier coverage of women’s soccer.
Increased Accessibility
“Looking back at the 2023 World Cup, the coverage was unprecedented,” Lindsey told The Athletic. “Now this summer, the Euros will be even more accessible.” Fox Sports will broadcast all 31 matches of the tournament live, with 19 airing on the main Fox channel, 11 on FS1 and one on FS2.
This increased accessibility ensures that fans across the country can easily tune in to watch the matches, fostering greater engagement with women’s soccer. The extensive broadcast plan underscores Fox Sports’ commitment to promoting and supporting the sport, providing a platform for talented athletes to showcase their skills.
By making the Women’s Euros more accessible, Fox Sports aims to capitalize on the growing popularity of women’s soccer, building on previous successes and attracting new fans to the sport. This strategic approach positions the network as a key player in the coverage of major soccer tournaments.
Tournament Kickoff
The Women’s European Championship coverage will kick off with a doubleheader on Fox featuring Iceland vs. Finland at noon and host Switzerland vs. Norway at 3 p.m. ET on July 2, with Lindsey and Oatley leading the coverage. This exciting start sets the stage for a month-long celebration of women’s soccer, with Fox Sports providing comprehensive coverage and expert analysis.
Fans can look forward to engaging commentary, insightful analysis, and thrilling matches as the tournament unfolds. Fox Sports’ commitment to delivering top-tier soccer content ensures that viewers will have a memorable and enjoyable viewing experience.
With a seasoned broadcast team and extensive coverage plan, Fox Sports aims to elevate the Women’s Euros to new heights, showcasing the talent and passion of women’s soccer to a wide audience.
Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
Fox Sports’ comprehensive coverage of the UEFA Women’s European Championship, headlined by Carli Lloyd, Julie Ertz, and Alexi Lalas, signifies a major investment in women’s soccer. By assembling a team of seasoned veterans and fresh voices, Fox Sports aims to provide viewers with expert analysis and engaging commentary throughout the tournament. This strategic approach underscores the network’s commitment to delivering top-tier soccer content to its audience.
The increased accessibility of the tournament, with matches broadcast across Fox, FS1, and FS2, ensures that fans across the country can easily tune in to watch the matches. This extensive broadcast plan, coupled with a seasoned broadcast team, positions Fox Sports as a key player in the coverage of women’s soccer. The network aims to build on its previous successes, including record viewership for the 2015 Women’s World Cup final.
As the Women’s Euros kick off, fans can look forward to a month-long celebration of women’s soccer, with Fox Sports providing comprehensive coverage and expert analysis. The network’s commitment to showcasing the talent and passion of women’s soccer is expected to elevate the tournament to new heights, fostering greater engagement with the sport and attracting new fans to the game.
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