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Mike Monaco

Mike Monaco is an television sportscaster renowned for his play-by-play announcing across multiple sports, currently serving as a versatile announcer for and its networks, as well as a fill-in play-by-play voice for Boston Red Sox broadcasts on . Born c. 1993 and raised in , where he played , soccer, and at Cohasset High School, Monaco graduated from the in 2015. At , he gained early experience as a play-by-play broadcaster, reporter, and host for the university's football shows. His professional career launched with an at in 2012, followed by announcing duties for the from 2013 to 2014, and roles with minor league affiliates of the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres in 2015 and 2016. Monaco joined ESPN in 2019, where he has called , National Hockey League games, the , , , , and , among other events. Prior to ESPN, he worked for and the from 2017 to 2019, covering , , , , soccer, , , and . He also served as a announcer for and spent four seasons at , while handling broadcasts for the , Bulls, White Sox, and the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox affiliate from 2017 to 2019. Recognized as an up-and-coming talent in sports broadcasting, Monaco signed a new contract with in 2023 and has been praised for his adaptability and rapport-building with color commentators. His work extends to radio, including Red Sox games on WEEI, and he maintains a strong connection to his roots through his contributions.

Early life and education

Early life

Mike Monaco was born in 1993 in , a small coastal town south of . Raised in this close-knit community of around 8,000 residents, he grew up immersed in New England's sports culture, particularly as a devoted Boston Red Sox fan who frequently attended games at . At Cohasset High School, from which he graduated in 2011, Monaco excelled as a three-sport , competing in , , and soccer. His involvement in these teams, including serving as soccer in his senior year, fostered a deep appreciation for team dynamics and competition that would influence his later career. Monaco's early passion for sports extended beyond playing, as he avidly followed professional and collegiate athletics, setting the stage for his transition to the , where he pursued his passion for sports through broadcasting opportunities.

Education

Mike Monaco attended the from 2011 to 2015, graduating with a in Film, Television, and Theatre, along with minors in and Ethics and . His high school background as a three-sport at Cohasset High School laid the groundwork for his deepening interest in sports during college. Upon arriving at , Monaco initially aspired to pursue a career as a Major League Baseball , drawing inspiration from executives like . However, his focus soon shifted toward media and broadcasting, influenced by coursework in film, television, and that aligned with his passion for sports . Monaco gained hands-on broadcasting experience as a play-by-play for the student-run radio station WVFI, where he called events such as , , and games from 2012 to 2015. He also served as a reporter and host for nationally syndicated football shows, and contributed to Fighting Irish Media productions and served as Sports Editor for the independent student newspaper The Observer starting in his sophomore year, roles that honed his skills in and on-air delivery.

Broadcasting career

Early career

Monaco began his professional broadcasting career during his time at the with an internship at the New England Sports Network (NESN) in the summer of 2012. As a creative services intern in NESN's Watertown studios, he assisted with production tasks related to Red Sox coverage ahead of his year. During this period, he earned the nickname "Zack" from former Red Sox player and analyst , who noted Monaco's physical resemblance to pitcher . Following his internship, Monaco gained on-air experience calling games for the in the during the summers of 2013 and 2014. This role allowed him to develop his play-by-play skills in a competitive collegiate summer league known for nurturing future MLB talent. After graduating from in 2015, Monaco contributed as a sports correspondent for , covering Boston College men's games in the early phase of his post-college career. This experience built on his Notre Dame education in film, television, and theatre, providing practical training. In 2015, Monaco began his professional baseball broadcasting career as a media assistant and play-by-play broadcaster for the , the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The following year, in 2016, he served in a similar role for the , the Single-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. From 2017 to 2019, Monaco worked as the play-by-play broadcaster for the , the Triple-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. During this period, he also handled select broadcasts for the (NHL), (NBA), and (MLB), as well as serving as a announcer for and spending four seasons in broadcasting roles at . Monaco advanced to play-by-play roles at and the from 2017 to 2019, where he covered a range of including , , , soccer, , and . These assignments focused on events, helping him establish versatility in live sports commentary before transitioning to larger networks.

ESPN and professional roles

Mike Monaco joined in 2019 as a play-by-play announcer, bringing his experience from prior roles at and the . In addition to his ESPN duties, Monaco serves as the fill-in play-by-play announcer for Boston Red Sox broadcasts on and WEEI, a role that began with substitutions during the 2019 season and evolved into the team's alternate television voice. Monaco's responsibilities at ESPN and ABC encompass a wide range of sports, including NHL games, and on networks such as the , MLB contests, and tennis events. Residing in , Monaco adapted to remote broadcasting during the 2021 season, conducting his first MLB call for ESPN from a home studio setup. His versatility is evident in demanding schedules, such as a 13-day stretch in where he covered multiple assignments across the continent, logging over 10,000 miles of travel.

Notable broadcasts and achievements

Mike Monaco made his first major fill-in appearance for Boston Red Sox broadcasts on in September 2019, replacing Dave O'Brien for the team's final series against the Baltimore Orioles. He has continued to serve as a regular fill-in play-by-play for Red Sox games in subsequent seasons, often alongside analysts like and, until his death in 2021, . Since ESPN's return to NHL in the 2021-22 season, Monaco has handled play-by-play duties for regular-season games and select playoff matchups, contributing to the network's coverage of the league. His NHL assignments have showcased his adaptability across fast-paced action, including notable calls during high-stakes games. Monaco has been a key voice for ESPN's coverage of the since joining the network, calling games from , for multiple years, including his fifth assignment in 2025. He has also announced other events, emphasizing the excitement and accessibility of amateur competition. In April 2024, Monaco undertook a demanding multi-sport assignment, traveling over 10,000 miles in 13 days to call eight games across three disciplines: NHL playoffs, , and , highlighting his versatility and endurance as a broadcaster. Monaco's rapid ascent has earned him recognition as an emerging talent in sports broadcasting, including inclusion in Front Office Sports' list of 26 Rising Stars in Play-by-Play Announcing in 2025 and the Top 30 Sportscasters Under 30 in 2018. Media outlets have praised his preparation and engaging style, positioning him as a go-to voice for ESPN's diverse portfolio. A notable personal milestone in Monaco's career is his transition from an intern during the 2012 Red Sox season—where he was humorously nicknamed "" for his resemblance to the pitcher—to a national play-by-play announcer for by 2019, achieving this progression in under a .

References

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