Peyton and Eli Manning are the headliners on ESPN2’s alternate Monday Night Football broadcast, although their guest list might just steal the show.
Omaha Productions unveiled two of the four personalities joining the Mannings on the first Monday night of action. Turner Sports analyst Charles Barkley and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson are both on the docket for Monday’s matchup between the Ravens and Raiders.
The Barkley news comes a no surprise to the sports media world. Peyton and Eli made the interview rounds over the past couple of weeks, and the elder Manning used Barkley as an example of a guest they’ll talk to across different interviews.
Manning gave essentially the same prepared answer when Colin Cowherd and Bill Simmons asked about what the brothers will do during downtimes in the game.
“During that time, we are going to be telling a war story,” Manning described on The Bill Simmons Podcast. “We are going to have Charles Barkley on to tell us why he didn’t play college football. You know entertaining stuff, but when the quarterback is talking to that coach on the sideline, Eli and I are going to probably role play. I’m going to tell you what the coach is saying to him and Eli is going to tell me what the quarterback is saying back.”
Omaha Productions is working with ESPN on the brand new “Manning-cast” format. They have prior experience working with The Worldwide Leader on expanding the Peyton’s Places franchise. A media universe that now includes David Ortiz, Abby Wambach, Vince Carter, Ronda Rousey, Eli, and Peyton.
The two Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks aren’t getting a TV quarterback to guide them. They are hosting the “gamecast” by themselves. Although, don’t expect this to be their first rodeo. The brothers rehearsed throughout the preseason. Clips below give fans a small taste of what they can expect on Monday nights this fall.