Nick Faldo and US broadcast network ABC Sports, have announced a deal that will see Faldo expanding his horizons by moving into the commentary box whilst continuing his playing career throughout 2005.
Said Faldo, “This is the first major deal we have pulled together since I began managing my own affairs and I am delighted at the magnitude of it. My team at Faldo Management has worked hard to make this happen and it moves me into a new dimension of the golf business.”
Sitting alongside Faldo in the commentary box will be Ryder Cup rival Paul Azinger, and the duo will join ABC golf host Mike Tirico beginning this weekend at The Tour Championship to form a three-man booth. Ian Baker-Finch, Peter Alliss, Judy Rankin, Andy North and Billy Ray Brown round out ABC’s golf crew.
“Adding Faldo and Azinger gives ABC the deepest talent line-up in US golf television,” commented Mike Pearl, senior vice president and executive producer, ABC Sports. “Both Nick and Paul have proven to have outstanding knowledge of the game of golf on the course and their appearances with us this year showed their ability to communicate that knowledge to the viewers. We are looking forward to a full year with them.”
Faldo joined ABC Sports for its coverage of the Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland in July and more recently at the WGC Amex Championship in Ireland.
Said Nick, “I am really excited to be part of a great young team at ABC and I hope to be able to bring a new dimension to the commentary box giving the viewer and insight into all aspects of the game; technical, mental and physical. It will keep me in touch with golf at the highest level and hopefully keep the public switching on week after week, that is if they can understand my John Cleese, English sense of humour!
“I am also relishing the opportunity to work with Paul and Mike and a great production team. I truly believe the mix of broadcasting and golf talent we have here is very special and that’s what will come across to the viewer.”
Nick Faldo www.nickfaldo.com
Global Edition
