Michael Smith Joins Peacock's Growing Sports Talk Lineup

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Peacock’s sports talk lineup grew a few more feathers on Wednesday. Former ESPN anchor Michael Smith will co-host “Brother From Another” with NBC Sports’ Michael Holley.

The afternoon weekday show joins fellow sports talk acquisitions including both Dan Patrick and Rich Eisen’s popular radio shows, as well as Mike Florio’s “Pro Football Talk.” Unlike those, “Brother From Another” is the first developed exclusively by Peacock. In addition, Peacock is launching a new NBC Sports channel beginning Aug. 24, where the shows will stream.

“Pro Football Talk” and “Dan Patrick” will debut on Aug. 24 with the channel, while Rich Eisen will move over beginning in October. “Brother From Another” will debut in September.

Also Read: 'The Dan Patrick Show' to Move From YouTube to Peacock

“There’s certainly an appetite for honest, intelligent conversation while having some fun, and Michael and Michael have established reputations for delivering that kind of commentary,” said Rick Cordella, executive vice president and chief revenue officer, Peacock. “Peacock is always on, always topical, so we are proud to be the exclusive platform for their new show.”

“Brother From Another” will see the two longtime friends discussing the latest news across sport, culture, entertainment, and politics. Smith left ESPN last year in a buyout following a 15-year run, where he most notably co-hosted “His and Hers” and, briefly, the 6 p.m. ET edition of “SportsCenter” with Jemele Hill. He is the co-founder of the recently established content studio Inflection Point Entertainment, and has also agreed to a development deal to produce and develop content for Peacock.

“Michael and I couldn’t be more excited to join the Peacock family,” Michael Smith said. “When coming up with our show’s name and thinking about the vibe we wanted to create, we kept coming back to just that–family–and to this brotherhood. We want this show and the conversations between us and with our guests to feel relatable–literally. As in if you’re giving us time out of your day, then you’re family to us. And since Peacock is free, all are most definitely welcome.”

Notable Athletes Who Have Opted Out of 2020 Seasons Over COVID-19 Concerns (Photos)

Major U.S. professional sports like the NBA and MLB have returned (the NFL is getting started on it 2020 season), but not everyone will play over concerns of the coronavirus pandemic.
Buster Posey

The six-time All Star catcher with the San Francisco Giants opted out of the 2020 season after he and his wife planned to adopt two identical twin girls who were, a journalist for The Athletic reported.
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David Price

David Price, a pitcher formerly for the Boston Red Sox who this season was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, opted out of the season on July 4 out of the interest of the his health and his family's.
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Ian Desmond

Ian Desmond, an outfielder for the Colorado Rockies, opted out in part because of his pregnant wife and four young children. It was reported that he'd be sacrificing $5.55 million in pro-rated salary for 2020.
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Ryan Zimmerman

Ryan Zimmerman, the 35-year-old first baseman for the World Series champs Washington Nationals, clarified that he would not be retiring by opting out this season. He forfeited $740,000 of pro-rated salary.

Also Read: NBC Sports to Move Premier League Streaming Rights to Peacock
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Nick Markakis

Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis opted out of the 2020 season after seeing his teammate Freddie Freeman contract the coronavirus and be sidelined with symptoms of COVID-19. "Just hearing him, the way he sounded on the phone, it was tough," Markakis said in a press conference. "It was kind of eye-opening. With everything that's going on, not just with baseball but all over the world, it makes you open your eyes."

(Update: Markakis pulled a surprise move on July 29 and decided to rejoin the team for the remainder of the season).
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Mike Leake

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Mike Leake, 32, became the first known MLB player to opt out of the 2020 season on June 29. He was scheduled to make $16 million in a full season and is a free agent in 2021.
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Felix Hernandez

Felix Hernandez, a longtime pitcher and All Star for the Seattle Mariners, opted out of the 2020 season on July 4. He signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves this season and was competing for a rotation spot.
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Joe Ross and Tyson Ross

Joe Ross, 27, and Tyson Ross, 33, two brothers and MLB pitchers for the Washington Nationals and a free agent respectively, both signed out of the 2020 season.
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Jordan Hicks

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Jordan Hicks, 23, opted out of the season after being identified as a high-risk player due to his Type 1 diabetes. He's also recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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Michael Kopech

Michael Kopech, 24, a pitcher for the Chicago White Sox, announced on July 10 through the team's general manager that he would be sitting out the 2020 season. Kopech was recovering from Tommy John surgery that kept him sidelined in 2019.
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Yoenis Cespedes

Before New York Mets slugger Yoenis Cespedes opted out of the season, the team was alarmed to find that Cespedes did not report to the ballpark and that he and his belongings were missing from his hotel room. The team was not made aware of his decision to opt out prior to his absence.
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Marcus Stroman

Stroman became the second Met to opt out in the middle of the season. Stroman never threw a pitch this season, beginning the year on the Injured List. He cited concerns over the outbreaks on the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins as his reason for sitting out.
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Lorenzo Cain

A week into the season, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Lorenzo Cain opted out of the season after the team's home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Cardinals players.
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Willie Cauley-Stein

Cauley-Stein opted out on June 25 because he and his partner are expecting a baby in July.

Also Read: 14 Sports Teams That Dumped Racist Names and Mascots (Photos)
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Spencer Dinwiddie

Dinwiddie is one of the few players that won't be playing due to a positive COVID-19 test. On July 7 the Nets' doctors advised Dinwiddie he should not play out of an abundance of caution.
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Avery Bradley

Bradley, a vocal critic of the NBA's restart taking attention away from the nationwide social justice movement, opted out on June 23 in order to remain with his wife and three children.
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Wilson Chandler

Chandler opted out on June 28 so he could remain with his family and grandmother.
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Thabo Sefalosha

Sefalosha opted out on July 1, though a specific reason was not given. He had previously expressed concerns over playing in the bubble amid the pandemic.
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DeAndre Jordan

Like his teammate Dinwiddie, Jordan also will sit out the rest of the 2020 campaign after revealing he tested positive for the disease.
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Victor Oladipo

The Indiana Pacers star had just come back from a ruptured quad tendon before the shutdown. He cited the uncertainty of the Orlando bubble as part of his reason for opting out, but he reversed course and ultimately played in the first game for the Indiana Pacers' restart.

(Update: Oladipo joined the Pacers in Orlando and played in scrimmages, but it is still unclear if he'll be part of the season restart).
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Trevor Ariza

Ariza opted out June 22 in order to commit to a one-month visitation window with his young son. Families are not allowed inside the NBA bubble until the end of August.
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Andre Smith

Smith was set to play for the Baltimore Ravens this season.
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De'Anthony Thomas

Baltimore Ravens
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Star Lotulelei

Buffalo Bills
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Jordan Mack

Mack, an undrafted rookie with the Carolina Panthers, decided on July 28 to forgo his rookie season out of uncertainty from the virus.
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Eddie Goldman

The Chicago Bears defensive tackle opted out on July 28 citing health concerns.
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Stephen Guidry

Another undrafted rookie, this one with the Dallas Cowboys. Guirdry is one of two Cowboys to opt out, joining Maurice Canady.
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Devin Funchess

Funchess is skipping his first season with the Green Bay Packers over COVID-19 concerns. He had family members that contracted the virus.
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Laurent Duvernay-Tardif

The Kansas City Chiefs' starting lineman was the first NFL player to opt out of the season. Duvernay-Tardif spent the offseason as medical volunteer at a long-term care facility in Montreal that was treating coronavirus patients.
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Michael Pierce

Pierce, one of the Minnesota Vikings' big offseason signings, has respiratory concerns and is considered high-risk.
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Multiple New England Patriots

Led by Dont'a Hightower, six Patriots have already decided to opt out of the season, with more expected.
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Nate Solder

The New York Giants' star lineman has a son who is currently battling cancer. Solder is also a cancer survivor himself.
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Marquise Goodwin

The new Philadelphia Eagles receiver has a 5-month daughter after his wife previously had three miscarriages.
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Chance Warmack

Warmack missed of all 2019 and was set to compete for a roster spot on the Seattle Seahawks. He is a former top-10 draft pick.
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Ja'Wuan James

Denver Broncos
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Ash Barty

The top-ranked female tennis player in the world is skipping the U.S. Open in New York next month. The Australian cited concerns of traveling to a COVID-19 hotspot.
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Rafael Nadal

Nadal will also skip the U.S. Open over COVID-19 concerns. Nadal won the tournament last year and is seeking to tie Roger Federer's record for Grand Slam wins.

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U.S. pro sports are back in action, but many are deciding to sit out

Major U.S. professional sports like the NBA and MLB have returned (the NFL is getting started on it 2020 season), but not everyone will play over concerns of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Notable Athletes Who Have Opted Out of 2020 Seasons Over COVID-19 Concerns (Photos)

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