Inside Terry Bradshaw and Michael Strahan's ban from working at Super Bowl 2026
Terry Bradshaw and Michael Strahan are prohibited from covering Super Bowl 2026 due to network exclusivity and broadcast rights.
Terry Bradshaw and Michael Strahan will not be involved in the Super Bowl LX coverage as it will be produced by NBC, and they are under contract with FOX Sports. The NFL rotates Super Bowl broadcasting rights among major networks, with NBC hosting this particular Super Bowl. As a result, FOX cannot have its commentators appear in a game they do not have coverage rights for. Furthermore, NBC has its own team of broadcasters for their broadcasts, which means that they will not require appearances from commentators from competing networks.
Additionally, the end of the FOX NFL season marks a transition for their staff, including analysts and on-air personalities, into their off-season. Given that the previous NFL season concluded after the NFC Championship game, FOX's production teams and commentators have moved away from their regular schedules and will not participate in the Super Bowl, further solidifying the reasons for Bradshaw and Strahan's absence.
Overall, this situation underscores the complexities of television rights and how they affect sports broadcasting. With networks vying for exclusive coverage rights, aligned with their contractual obligations, the decisions about who can commentate arise from deeper business strategies. This instance involving Bradshaw and Strahan highlights not only their recognitions in the NFL but also the legal frameworks that govern sports broadcasting.