ESPN Marks 100 Days to First Broadcast
The network will air a series of rankings and predictions leading up to its inaugural Super Bowl telecast in Los Angeles.
By Jenna Mitchell ·
ESPN will broadcast the Super Bowl for the first time on February 14, 2027. That date is exactly 100 days away. To mark the milestone, the network is releasing a countdown series of historical rankings, player projections, and historical retrospectives. The games will take place in Southern California, returning the event to the region for the first time since the previous eight appearances.
The coverage strategy involves a biweekly schedule of top 10 lists until the championship game. Each entry focuses on specific aspects of the sport, from tactical innovations to individual statistical milestones. The series aims to provide context for the upcoming event by examining the history of the competition.
The first installment, published on November 1, featured Turron Davenport and Nate Taylor. They identified the most effective trick plays in Super Bowl history. Their list included the 'Philly Special' and 'Ambush.' A prior entry on October 18 saw Michael DiRocco rank the best performances by first-year players. He noted that for some athletes, these moments defined their careers, while for others, they served as a foundation for future success.
Marcel Louis-Jacques published a ranking of improbable victories on October 4. He included wins by the Patriots, Jets, Giants, Eagles, and Seahawks. On September 20, Katherine Terrell analyzed the careers of notable players who finished their NFL tenures without a Super Bowl title. These pieces provide a mix of tactical and biographical perspectives.
Additional stories focus on team dynamics and future performance. On October 3, NFL Nation reporters constructed 13-player rosters for franchises with multiple Super Bowl appearances. Ben Solak, an NFL analyst, predicted winners for the 2026 through 2030 seasons in a story dated September 25. Aaron Schatz, another analyst, identified five teams in a September 6 piece that face pressure to win due to aging rosters or contract situations.
Schatz also used DVOA metrics to rank teams that narrowly missed the championship game, including the 2023 Ravens, in an August 18 article. NFL Nation reporters reviewed the previous eight Super Bowls held in the L.A. market on July 30. This retrospective sets the stage for the 2027 return to the region.
Todd Archer, the Cowboys reporter, conducted an interview with a player named Smith on July 5. They discussed Smith's rushing performances in previous championship games. Smith recorded a record five rushing touchdowns across two Super Bowl victories. The final data point in the countdown series focuses on individual athletic achievements rather than team strategy.
