Joe Tessitore – ESPN Veteran Broadcaster Celebrates 20 Years with Network
Joe Tessitore has become one of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting. His current role at ESPN spans multiple sports and platforms. The veteran announcer joined the network nearly two decades ago. He has built a reputation for his distinctive play-by-play style and versatility across college football, boxing, and more recently, WWE programming. His ability to blend technical knowledge with engaging storytelling has made him a cornerstone of ESPN’s broadcast lineup and a familiar presence in living rooms across America.
Beyond the booth, Tessitore has expanded his reach into entertainment with ABC’s “Holey Moley.” He also maintains his sports credibility as the lead voice for ESPN’s championship fight broadcasts. His January 2024 addition to the WWE broadcast team represents the latest evolution in a career defined by adaptation and excellence. The ESPN sportscaster continues to demonstrate remarkable range, seamlessly transitioning between the intensity of college football Saturdays and the theatrical atmosphere of professional wrestling.
While exact compensation figures remain private, industry insiders place Tessitore among the upper echelon of sports broadcasters. This is due to his multi-platform value across the ABC/ESPN portfolio and now WWE. His Italian-American background and genuine enthusiasm for sports have helped him connect with audiences regardless of the venue or competition he’s covering.
Contents
Career Background
Joe Tessitore built his reputation as one of sports broadcasting’s most versatile talents through decades of dedicated work across multiple networks and sports. His distinctive voice and broadcasting style have made him a fixture in American sports media.
Rise to Fame
Tessitore’s broadcasting journey began at KXAS-TV, an NBC affiliate in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. His early career saw him make strategic moves to build his portfolio, including a brief stint at WRGB in 1994.
The Connecticut native gradually climbed the broadcasting ladder, developing his trademark enthusiastic delivery and command of multiple sports. His ability to capture dramatic moments with perfectly timed calls became his calling card.
Tessitore’s ascent wasn’t an overnight success but rather a methodical progression through regional markets before landing national opportunities. His versatility across different sports formats—from studio hosting to play-by-play—helped him stand out in a competitive industry.
ESPN Tenure
Tessitore joined ESPN and quickly established himself as a valuable asset across multiple properties. His work spans college football, where he became one of the network’s primary play-by-play voices.
Beyond football, Tessitore demonstrated remarkable range by hosting ABC’s quirky mini-golf competition “Holey Moley,” showcasing his adaptability and humor. His career at ESPN has included:
| Role | Program | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Play-by-play | College Football | 2003-Present |
| Host | Monday Night Football | 2018-2019 |
| Commentator | Top Rank Boxing | 2002-Present |
In 2025, Tessitore expanded his portfolio by joining WWE as a broadcaster while maintaining his ESPN duties, proving his continued relevance and adaptability in sports media.
Boxing Commentary
Tessitore’s work in boxing commentary represents some of his most acclaimed broadcasting. He leads ESPN’s world championship fight broadcasts and has become the network’s premier boxing voice.
His tenure with “Friday Night Fights” earned him respect among boxing purists for his technical knowledge and ability to capture the drama inherent in championship bouts. Tessitore’s boxing commentary balances technical insights with accessibility for casual viewers.
The broadcaster’s distinctive voice became so synonymous with boxing that EA Sports recruited him to provide commentary for their Fight Night video game series. This crossover into gaming introduced his voice to younger audiences.
Tessitore’s boxing work stands out for his ability to convey the historical significance of matches while maintaining focus on the immediate action in the ring.
WWE Involvement
Joe Tessitore’s career has taken an unexpected turn with his recent move to WWE broadcasting. This partnership marks a significant crossover between traditional sports broadcasting and sports entertainment, bringing Tessitore’s respected voice to professional wrestling.
Transition into WWE
In July 2024, WWE announced that Joe Tessitore would join their broadcast team as a play-by-play announcer. This move surprised many in the sports broadcasting world, as Tessitore had been primarily known for his work on college football and boxing.
Tessitore will be paired with color commentators Corey Graves and Wade Barrett in a three-person booth. His WWE duties are scheduled to begin later in summer 2024, with his first appearance expected on SmackDown this fall.
The deal allows Tessitore to maintain his position at ESPN, where he has been a fixture since 2002. This dual role highlights WWE’s ongoing strategy to incorporate established sports broadcasting talent into their product.
Broadcast Achievements
Though Tessitore’s WWE journey is just beginning, this move represents WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s continuing efforts to enhance the company’s broadcasting presentation with mainstream sports credibility.
Tessitore joins fellow ESPN personality Pat McAfee on the WWE broadcast team, creating an interesting ESPN-to-WWE pipeline. The hiring follows WWE’s landmark deal with Netflix and suggests a push toward more sports-oriented presentation.
Industry analysts view Tessitore’s hiring as part of WWE President Nick Khan’s strategy to elevate WWE’s standing in mainstream sports entertainment. His experience calling high-profile college football games and championship boxing matches brings legitimacy that WWE clearly values.
Signature Events and Collaborations
Joe Tessitore has built a remarkable broadcasting career marked by high-profile assignments across multiple sports and entertainment platforms. His distinctive voice and storytelling ability have made him a fixture on some of ESPN and ABC’s most prestigious broadcasts.
College Sports Broadcasting
Tessitore’s college football broadcasting resume reads like a highlight reel of the sport’s biggest moments. He’s been the lead voice for numerous Orange Bowls and Peach Bowls, establishing himself as one of ESPN’s most reliable big-game announcers.
His work on ESPN’s extensive National Signing Day coverage showcases his deep knowledge of the college football landscape. Tessitore brings gravitas to these broadcasts, helping viewers understand the significance of recruiting decisions that shape programs for years.
In recent years, Tessitore has become particularly associated with SEC football, bringing his signature enthusiasm to games featuring some of college football’s most passionate fan bases. His preparation and ability to capture dramatic moments have made him a favorite among hardcore football fans.
Major ESPN and ABC Events
Beyond college sports, Tessitore has handled play-by-play duties for some of ESPN and ABC’s biggest properties. He served as the voice of Monday Night Football, stepping into one of sports broadcasting’s most prestigious roles.
Tessitore has also covered NFL Wildcard Playoff Games, bringing the same energy and preparation to professional football that marked his college work. His versatility extends to boxing, where he’s long been considered one of the sport’s premier announcers.
In 2023, Tessitore expanded his portfolio by joining WWE’s broadcast team alongside Corey Graves and Wade Barrett. This collaboration represents another major sports entertainment platform trusting Tessitore’s distinctive voice and storytelling abilities.
Special Projects
Tessitore has shown remarkable versatility through his work on unique properties like “Holey Moley,” ABC’s extreme mini-golf competition. His partnership with comedian Rob Riggle created an entertaining dynamic that helped the show develop a loyal following.
His ability to toggle between serious sports commentary and entertainment programming demonstrates the range that has made him valuable to ESPN and ABC. This versatility is rare among top-tier sports broadcasters.
Tessitore has also contributed to ESPN’s acclaimed documentary series, lending his narrative skills to storytelling projects that extend beyond live event coverage. His work across these diverse formats showcases why he’s remained one of ESPN’s most valuable on-air personalities for nearly two decades.
Accomplishments and Recognition
Joe Tessitore has established himself as one of the most versatile and respected voices in sports broadcasting. His distinctive style and enthusiasm have earned him numerous accolades across multiple sports domains, particularly in boxing where his ringside commentary has become legendary.
Industry Awards
Tessitore’s excellence in broadcasting has been recognized with several prestigious honors throughout his career. His horse racing coverage earned him an Eclipse Award, marking him as an elite talent in that specialized field.
The boxing world has similarly celebrated his contributions with the Sam Taub Award for Broadcast Excellence, recognizing his exceptional ringside commentary work. This award puts him in rarefied air among boxing broadcasters.
He was also inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy in the sport despite never having thrown a professional punch.
These accolades speak to Tessitore’s versatility across sporting domains and his ability to elevate broadcasts through his distinctive voice and storytelling abilities.
Contribution to Boxing
Tessitore has become synonymous with boxing excellence as ESPN’s veteran blow-by-blow ringside commentator for Top Rank Boxing. His commentary has provided the soundtrack for some of boxing’s most significant modern moments.
He has called numerous world championship fights featuring boxing luminaries like Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, bringing these epic confrontations to life for viewers. His ability to capture the drama and technical aspects of boxing has made him a favorite among purists and casual fans alike.
What separates Tessitore from many contemporaries is his unique blend of technical knowledge and storytelling prowess. He contextualizes fighters’ journeys while maintaining the tension and excitement of live competition.
Boxing insiders particularly value his preparation and respect for the sport’s history, which informs his commentary without overwhelming the casual viewer.
Impact on Sports Entertainment
Tessitore’s influence extends well beyond traditional sports broadcasting into the realm of sports entertainment. In 2018, he achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming just the sixth play-by-play announcer in “Monday Night Football” history, joining an elite fraternity of broadcasting legends.
His relationship with WWE has evolved significantly over recent years. After leading WrestleMania coverage on “SportsCenter” for three consecutive years and becoming a regular fixture ringside at WWE’s premium live events, he formally joined the WWE broadcast team.
This crossover success demonstrates Tessitore’s unique ability to bridge traditional sports and sports entertainment, bringing his credibility and storytelling gifts to new audiences. His talent for treating wrestling with the same respect and enthusiasm as conventional sports has endeared him to WWE fans.
Personal Life and Education
Joe Tessitore balances his demanding broadcast career with family life and educational roots at Boston College, while also making time for charitable causes.
Academic Achievements
Tessitore graduated from the prestigious Carroll School of Management at Boston College in 1993. His time at Boston College gave him the business acumen that would later complement his broadcasting talents.
Before his college years, Tessitore attended Christian Brothers Academy, where a football injury redirected his focus toward broadcasting rather than playing the game he loved.
The broadcaster maintains strong ties to his alma mater. His son John followed in his footsteps to Boston College, where he became a top placekicker for the Eagles, creating a multigenerational connection to the institution.
Philanthropy
Tessitore’s commitment to giving back centers around his work with the Connecticut Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. His involvement with this organization reflects his dedication to health-related causes.
Though he maintains a relatively private personal life, his community engagement extends beyond his broadcast duties. Tessitore leverages his prominence in sports media to support charitable initiatives.
His Schenectady, New York roots remain important to him, and he occasionally returns to his hometown for community events. Despite his national profile on programs like Monday Night Football and Holey Moley, Tessitore remains connected to the communities that shaped him.
Commentary Style and Skills
Joe Tessitore stands out in the broadcasting world for his distinctive voice and ability to heighten dramatic moments. His commentary approach blends technical analysis with emotional storytelling, creating memorable experiences for viewers across multiple sports platforms.
Broadcasting Approach
Tessitore’s commentary style is immediately recognizable due to his rich, authoritative voice and exceptional timing. As a lead announcer for ESPN’s world championship fight broadcasts, he excels at building tension during critical moments. His trademark is the ability to elevate ordinary sports moments into extraordinary ones.
The “Tess Effect” – as industry insiders call it – refers to his knack for making games seem more exciting through vocal inflection and energy. Unlike commentators who overwhelm with statistics, Tessitore balances technical analysis with emotional storytelling.
His preparation is meticulous. Before broadcasts, he studies both teams extensively, memorizing player backgrounds and relevant statistics to weave seamlessly into his commentary.
| Tessitore’s Key Skills | Description |
|---|---|
| Voice Control | Dynamic range from conversational to intense |
| Timing | Exceptional sense of when to heighten commentary |
| Preparation | Thorough research on teams and players |
| Versatility | Effective across boxing, football, WWE |
Relationship with Fans
Tessitore has cultivated a strong connection with viewers through his authentic enthusiasm and accessibility. His recent move to WWE has been well-received, with fans praising his adaptation to professional wrestling commentary alongside Wade Barrett.
Unlike some broadcasters who maintain distance from audiences, Tessitore embraces fan interaction through social media. His Twitter presence allows direct engagement with viewers, where he often responds to questions and comments.
What separates Tessitore from peers is his genuine passion for sports he covers. Viewers sense when a commentator is merely going through motions versus someone truly invested in the action.
His commentary style earns respect from both casual fans and hardcore enthusiasts – a difficult balance that few broadcasters achieve consistently.
Collaborations and Peers
Joe Tessitore’s broadcasting career has been marked by notable partnerships and professional relationships that have helped shape his distinctive on-air presence. His work across both ESPN and WWE has put him alongside some of the industry’s most respected voices.
Partnerships with Commentators
Tessitore’s booth chemistry has been evident throughout his career. At ESPN, he cultivated strong working relationships across multiple sports platforms. His college football partnerships were particularly noteworthy, where his dramatic calling style complemented analysts’ technical breakdowns.
In 2022, WWE announced that Tessitore would join a three-person broadcast team with Corey Graves and Wade Barrett. This marked a significant career expansion for the veteran announcer.
Previously at ESPN, Tessitore worked with various Monday Night Football configurations. His brief but memorable pairing with Booger McFarland and Jason Witten became a talking point among sports media critics.
During his boxing coverage, Tessitore formed a highly regarded partnership with Teddy Atlas, creating one of the sport’s most recognizable announcing teams of the 2010s.
Influence of Industry Figures
Tessitore has cited several broadcasting legends as influences on his career development. His dramatic calling style draws comparisons to Howard Cosell’s theatrical approach to big moments.
In the WWE world, Tessitore has worked under Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s creative direction. This relationship represents a bridge between traditional sports broadcasting and sports entertainment presentation styles.
Pat McAfee, who similarly crossed between ESPN and WWE worlds, shares professional overlap with Tessitore. Both have managed to maintain credibility across different entertainment platforms.
During Walter Camp Foundation events, Tessitore has demonstrated his connections to football’s establishment figures, serving as master of ceremonies where he interacts with the sport’s luminaries.
His ability to capture dramatic moments in college football has earned respect from peers who appreciate his preparation and storytelling abilities.
Future Prospects and Endeavors
Joe Tessitore’s career is taking an exciting turn. The veteran ESPN broadcaster is joining WWE later this summer, and a formal announcement is expected soon.
This move marks a significant shift for Tessitore. He has been among ESPN’s premier broadcasters for nearly two decades. His dynamic style that energized boxing and college football broadcasts will now enliven professional wrestling commentary.
Tessitore isn’t leaving ESPN entirely. He plans to balance his WWE responsibilities with continued work at ESPN and ABC, showcasing his remarkable versatility across sports landscapes.
What makes this transition particularly intriguing is Tessitore’s focus on creative development in wrestling. While maintaining his ESPN duties, he appears poised to help shape WWE’s broadcast presentation with his distinctive announcing approach.
The move capitalizes on Tessitore’s experience with championship fight broadcasts at ESPN. This provides a natural bridge to WWE’s theatrical combat sports environment.
Perhaps most telling is Tessitore’s desire to focus on non-wrestling endeavors and family time alongside his broadcasting commitments. This balanced approach suggests he’s entering a new phase of his career with careful consideration.
For WWE, securing a broadcaster of Tessitore’s caliber represents a significant win. They are continuing to expand their mainstream sports credibility and production values.