From the most knowledgeable and renowned sportscasters in Spanish-language media to international soccer greats with first-hand, on-field expertise—Univision Deportes’ all-star team is ready to bring U.S. fans the most intensely satisfying World Cup experience ever
MIAMI – MAY 01, 2014 – It’s the biggest sporting event on the planet and Univision Deportes is ready to cover it like no one else—with the biggest deployment of stellar talent and targeted resources ever, designed to bring U.S. “fútbol” fans the most exciting, comprehensive and passionate World Cup experience available anywhere, in any language. The FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™ kicks off on June 12, 2014; Univision Deportes will provide 24-hour coverage for 31 days across all of its broadcast and digital platforms, including live telecasts and streaming of all 64 matches plus live pre- and post-game commentary and reporting from Brazil’s 12 tournament cities.
Univision’s in-house team of World Cup announcers and commentators includes many of the most knowledgeable and renowned sportscasters in Spanish-language media, some of which have personal experience as soccer players or coaches, and all of whom have covered numerous World Cups during their broadcasting careers. They will be joined by a distinguished group of guest analysts composed of current and former international soccer professionals who will bring their on-field expertise and insight to the table throughout the tournament, giving fans a unique perspective of all the World Cup action as it happens.
The LIVE play-by-play coverage and commentary from Brazil will be led by the following Univision Deportes talent:
- Diego Balado – Born in Argentina, he has provided play-by-play coverage for the last four World Cups.
- Enrique “El Perro” Bermúdez – This distinguished Mexican sports announcer has covered nine World Cups, more than any other sportscaster in the U.S.
- Félix “El Gato” Fernández – One of the most celebrated goalies in Mexican soccer, Fernández defended the Mexican National Team during the 1994 World Cup. With almost two decades of experience as a sports columnist and commentator, he co-hosts Univision’s “República Deportiva.”
- Jesús “El Profe” Bracamontes – Known as “El Profe” (the Professor) for his profound knowledge of the sport, Bracamontes is considered soccer royalty as a former Liga MX player, head coach for Chivas de Guadalajara, and general manager of the Mexican National Team in 2003 and 2004. He has covered four World Cups for Univision.
- Jorge Pérez Navarro – For nine consecutive years he co-hosted the nightly sportscast “Contacto Deportivo” (Sports Contact) and continues to lend his soccer expertise to several shows and specials on Univision Deportes Network. He has covered three world Cups for Univision.
- José Luis López Salido– The current host of Univision Deportes Network’s “Locura Deportiva” (Sports Madness) has covered three World Cups.
- Luis Omar Tapia – This veteran play-by-play announcer, originally from Chile, has narrated five World Cups and is known for giving players unique nicknames while he announces.
- Pablo “La Torre de Jalisco” Ramírez – With seven World Cups under his commentator belt and experience as a past goalkeeper in the Liga MX, Ramírez adds color to every match with his famous “Gooooooooal!”.
The expert group of analysts will include:
- Carlos Pavón – This powerful striker, Honduras’ all time national team goal scorer, helped take his national team to the 2010 World Cup, where he also participated. In addition, he has played for Mexican, Italian, and Spanish teams, as well as the MLS.
- Hristo Stoichkov – Recently added to Univision Deportes’ full-time talent roster, this gifted athlete was on the Bulgarian National Team in the 1994 World Cup, finishing in third place, and received the Balon d’Or that same year. He also had a successful career with the Spanish team FC Barcelona.
- Javier Castrilli – A referee for the 1998 World Cup in France, among many other international events, this Argentinian’s inflexible attitude and strict adherence to the rules earned him the moniker “the Sheriff.”
- Marcelo Balboa – A former MLS star and member of the U.S. National Team that played in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, Balboa has been a soccer commentator and analyst since retiring from the field.
- Mauro Camoranesi – Born in Argentina of Italian descent, he currently plays for the Argentinian team Racing Avellaneda and was on the Italian National Team that took home the 2006 World Cup trophy.
- Ramón Ramírez – This retired player is a veteran of two World Cups, 1994 and 1998, where he played in the Mexican National Team.
In addition, the entire lineup of Univision Deportes shows will be dedicated to the 2014 World Cup championship from June 12 through July 13, featuring extensive pre- and post-game coverage by Univision Deportes talent, including: Alejandro Berry and Jorge Calvo, co-hosts of “Contacto Deportivo” (Sports Contact); Fernando Fiore, the Emmy-award winning host of the popular weekly show “República Deportiva” (Sports Republic); Lindsay Casinelli, co-host of “República Deportiva” and “Contacto Deportivo”; Iván “El Conde K” Kasanzew and Edgar Martínez, co-hosts of “Fútbol Club,” and many more.
This summer’s World Cup tournament will also have a prominent presence in Univision’s entertainment and news programming as some of the Network’s most popular personalities travel to Brazil to bring viewers a first-hand look at all the color and excitement surrounding the event. Reporting regularly from the soccer-loving South American country will be Raúl De Molina and Carlos Calderón from “El Gordo y la Flaca” (The Scoop and the Skinny), Tony Dandrades from “Primer Impacto” (First Impact), Felix de Bedout from “Noticiero Univision Fin de Semana” (Univision News Weekend Edition), and León Krauze from the Fusion Network. Additionally, Univision News anchors María Elena Salinas and Jorge Ramos will each be in Brazil to provide news-angled coverage of the opening ceremonies and the tournament’s last week of matches, respectively. Meanwhile, Alan Tacher, Maity Interiano, Orlando Segura, Sherlyn, and William Valdés will cover the complete event for Univision’s morning show “Despierta América” (Wake Up America).
For real time coverage and exclusive behind the scenes World Cup content in the palm of your hand, download the Univision Deportes app from the iTunes or Android store. As the count-down to the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014™ continues, fans will be able to follow all the action and the passion using the hashtag #UDMundial across their social platforms on Twitter via @UnivisionSports, as well as comment and follow all related content on Facebook.com/UnivisionDeportes, Instagram/UnivisionDeportes, or the Univision World Cup Home Page.