Marty Smith has signed a long-term extension with ESPN and will showcase the new deal with an in-depth Rory McIlroy interview on SportsCenter ahead of the Masters; the veteran reporter remains a multi-platform presence for the network, anchoring golf coverage while contributing across NFL and college football programming.
Marty Smith inks long-term deal with ESPN
Marty Smith has agreed to a new long-term contract that keeps him at ESPN through the coming years. The 49-year-old, who has spent two decades with the network, will mark the extension by airing a high-profile interview with reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy on SportsCenter.
What Smith’s extension signifies
Smith’s renewal is a clear vote of confidence in his cross-sport, personality-driven journalism. He isn’t just a sideline presence; he’s one of ESPN’s narrative architects, trusted to land deep interviews that set the tone for marquee events like the Masters.
Big McIlroy interview to air ahead of the Masters
ESPN will broadcast an in-depth conversation between Smith and McIlroy in the days leading into the Masters. Smith also recorded a sit-down with world No. 3 Tommy Fleetwood that will air in the lead-up to Augusta National.
Why the interviews matter
Access to McIlroy and Fleetwood gives ESPN material that goes beyond shot-by-shot coverage: it provides context, personality and storyline. For viewers, that elevates the build-up to the Masters and helps frame expectations for the week, especially with McIlroy returning as the defending champion.
Smith’s expanded role across ESPN
Smith remains a multi-platform contributor — co-hosting his long-running audio/show partnership, contributing to NFL and college football coverage, and serving as a sideline reporter for TGL matches. Golf has become a larger part of his brief, including feature work around the majors.
What this means for ESPN’s golf strategy
Retaining a recognizable voice like Smith’s underscores ESPN’s bet on personality-led coverage. His ability to move between hard reporting and long-form features gives the network flexibility to deliver both event coverage and narrative storytelling during major championships.
Masters broadcast shake-up: Tirico steps away, Zarzour fills in
Mike Tirico will not handle this year’s play-by-play duties for SiriusXM’s Masters radio coverage, taking the weekend off amid a packed broadcast calendar. Taylor Zarzour, a seasoned radio commentator and longtime SiriusXM contributor, will step into the role for the tournament. Tirico has indicated he plans to return in future years.
Impact of the temporary change
Tirico’s absence creates an opening for Zarzour to demonstrate his chops on golf’s biggest weekend for a national radio audience. For listeners, the handoff should be seamless; for Zarzour, it’s a career moment that could broaden his profile.
Looking ahead to Augusta
The Masters begins April 9 at Augusta National, with McIlroy defending the title he won in a dramatic playoff a year ago. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, along with in-form players such as Bryson DeChambeau, figure to be central storylines as the tournament unfolds.
How Smith’s coverage could shape narratives
Smith’s interviews and features can tilt the narrative needle — humanizing champions, surfacing tensions, or framing redemption arcs.
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As networks compete for viewers’ attention during the Masters, his reporting is likely to be a focal point of ESPN’s storyline-driven approach.
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