Hot Takes: The NFL’s Most Loved and Hated Broadcasters

Whether it be Thursday Night Football on Prime Video or Monday Night Football on ESPN, the NFL dominates America’s sports landscape from week one each September until the Super Bowl held every February. Over the course of the season, we witness miraculous upsets and watch unknown rookies emerge into legitimate stars. But, while the outcomes each week hang in the balance, one thing remains for better or worse, consistent. The broadcasters. 

Each network deploys its best personalities, from seasoned media veterans like Jim Nantz and Al Michaels, to rookie commentator Tom Brady, who may know a thing or two about the game of football. But even with the best of the best gracing our TVs every Sunday, fans are often contentious about the announcing team selected to bring their team’s game into their home. To find out which NFL broadcasters earn the cheers, and which earn the jeers, we asked NFL fans of every team to rank their favorites, and tell us why. 

Key Takeaways:

• Jim Nantz was named the Most Loved Play-by-Play Announcer by fans of nine teams, the most among his peers. 
• With fans of 14 teams calling him their favorite analyst, Troy Aikman is the most popular NFL commentator overall.
• The title of Most Hated Play-by-Play broadcaster goes to Al Michaels, with fans of 22 NFL teams sharing their disdain
• Tony Romo finally takes home the hardware, with 17 of 32 teams crowning him Most Hated Analyst
• Despite networks offering us their brightest voices, 43% of NFL fans prefer to watch football without commentary
• NFL fans picked a great voice as the top attribute for a play-by-play announcer and knowledge of the game as the best trait for an analyst

When it comes to play-by-play, there is arguably no one better than Jim Nantz, and NFL fans agree. Nantz was voted as the Most Loved Play-by-Play Announcer, receiving the nod by nine different fanbases. It makes sense, as Nantz is associated with some of the game’s most iconic calls, and chances are, if your team reached the pinnacle of the sport, Nantz was somewhere along the way. Fans credit his distinguishable voice as the reason for his popularity, but still are critical of his perceived favoritism towards other teams.

When Nantz signs off each Sunday afternoon, all eyes turn to Sunday Night Football on NBC, the former home of America’s Most Hated Play-by-Play Announcer, Al Michaels. Michaels, now the lead commentator for Thursday Night Football on Prime Video, was voted as the most disliked by 69 percent of NFL fanbases. Like Nantz, his voice is as recognizable as they come, but fans throw the penalty flag on Michaels’ lack of enthusiasm. 

Although fans often begin each week on a sour note with Michaels, Monday Night Football signals the end of another week in the NFL season, and provides fans with the chance to listen to their favorite analyst. 

Troy Aikman, a three-time Super Bowl champion, can add another accolade to his resume: Most Loved Analyst. Aikman and Joe Buck have voiced Monday Night Football since 2022 after joining ESPN from FOX. 

Aikman’s knowledge of the game earned him the title, as 14 different fanbases chose the six-time Pro Bowler as their favorite analyst. The fans who do not enjoy Aikman in the booth cite his days of playing for their rival team as their biggest gripe.

While Aikman is loved among a majority of the NFL fanbases, another former Dallas Cowboys quarterback conjures up opposite feelings.

It could be due to his former playing days with America’s Team, or being pitted alongside one of the greats in Nantz, but whatever the reason, Tony Romo earned the title of Most Hated Analyst, receiving the vote by over half (17 of 32) of the fanbases.

A former quarterback, Romo can provide insight unlike any other, breaking down schemes and seemingly predicting plays before they happen. His first season in the booth earned rave reviews, but, like many TV programs, it seems to have run its course. In the years since, fans have noticed Romo’s tendency to fill dead air and cited too much talking as the reason for their disdain. 

The good news for fans who may not want to listen to Romo, or any commentator for that matter, is the presence of the mute button.

The only thing worse than watching your favorite team lose is having to hear it as well; especially from someone like Tom Brady, who likely did the same to your team in years prior. That’s why over 40% of NFL fans prefer to watch games without commentary.

They’d prefer to listen to the game in silence or follow along with their team’s radio broadcast.

For the 93 percent that do decide to watch games with commentary, they look for specific attributes in a play-by-play announcer and game analyst. Fans voted a great voice as the characteristic they look for in a play-by-play announcer, and believe knowledge of the game is most important in a game analyst.

Methodology

In October 2024 we conducted a survey of 2,547 Americans who consider themselves avid NFL fans. The median age of the respondents was. Gender distribution was 73% men, 26% women, and 2% other gender identities. 

Fair Use

Looking to share this data or use the infographics? You’re welcome to use either for any non-commercial purposes. Please be sure to include a link citing this page.