• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, July 1, 2025

ESPN’s Eaves Gets Dream Assignment: Masters

  • Eaves will interview players as they come off the course.
  • He’s written an original piece for the broadcast.
ESPN/Design: Alex Brooks

ESPN’s Michael Eaves jokes that Tom Rinaldi could make somebody cry at their own funeral, but he told Front Office Sports that he welcomes the challenge of replacing the popular essayist during ESPN’s coverage of this week’s Masters Tournament.

“To be a part of the Masters telecast for ESPN and do something Tom Rinaldi has done so well for the last few years, it’s really cool,” Eaves said.

During ESPN’s live coverage of Rounds 1 and 2 on Thursday and Friday, Eaves will assume Rinaldi’s role of interviewing players as they come off the course at Augusta National Golf Club. Rinaldi moved to Fox earlier this year.

Last November’s pandemic-delayed Masters was the least-watched on record. Eaves expects it will be different this week, with it returning to its rightful slot in April and spectators again supplying their famous roars. 

It’s a “bucket list” assignment, said Eaves. During his senior year in high school, he was the first Black golfer to qualify for the Kentucky state golf tournament.

Along with Eaves, ESPN’s Marty Smith and Gene Wojciechowski will provide features. Scott Van Pelt and Curtis Strange will host from Butler Cabin. 

Like most SportsCenter anchors, Eaves writes his own copy. He’s written a piece on honorary starter Lee Elder, the first Black person to play in the Masters. 

“To be a sports reporter and even a sports anchor, you have to be a good writer. The better writer you are, the better storyteller you will be.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

LIV Golf CEO Pushes Back On PGA Tour Merger

Scott O’Neil said there could be new opportunities for the Tour’s players.
exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

ESPN, MLB Relationship May Not Be Over After All

The parties restart rights talks amid a high-profile divorce in February.

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena
June 22, 2025

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.