Friday, May 22, 2026

Rob Gronkowski, Family to Host UFC 278 ‘GronkCast’

  • Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions is producing the ‘ManningCast’ spinoff.
  • Guests for the telecast include Chuck Liddell, Paddy Pimblett, and Molly McCann.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Viewers tuning in to this weekend’s UFC 278 will be able to watch with one of sports’ most famous families.

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions — the production company behind ESPN’s “Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli” aka the “ManningCast” — is making the final preparations for “UFC 278 with The Gronks,” an alternative telecast featuring Rob Gronkowski, his brothers Chris, Dan, Glenn, and Gordie Jr., and his father Gordon.

Like the ManningCast, the “GronkCast” will feature guest interviews during the event. For Saturday’s inaugural show, the Gronkowskis will talk with UFC legend Chuck Liddell, as well as rising stars Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann.

Of course, ESPN had to adjust the format of the telecast to fit the parameters of a UFC pay-per-view.

The Gronkcast will be on ESPN and ESPN+ from 9-10 p.m. ET, then move over to ESPN+ exclusively for the rest of the event.

Those who purchase the pay-per-view will get access to the traditional stream with commentators Jon Anik, Daniel Cormier, and Joe Rogan, as well as the Gronk stream.

In an interview with Variety, Peyton Manning said that Omaha Productions “jumped at the opportunity” to work with the Gronkowskis on the project.

“His team is the one that reached out about possibly doing something once they knew we were looking to expand,” he said. “You could not get a more perfect group of guys to host it.”

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Stafford Signs $55 Million Extension With Rams

The 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player receives a sizable pay increase.
May 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Ronda Rousey (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Gina Carano (red gloves) after a women's featherweight bout at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

How Jake Paul’s MVP Plans to Build on Netflix MMA Debut

Saturday’s debut averaged 12.4 million viewers on Netflix.
exclusive

World Cup Will Block Notorious Dallas Glare for At Least One Game

FIFA will use the curtains for a 6 p.m. kickoff match this summer.

Political Sparring Intensifies Over Bears’ $5B Stadium Future

The stadium saga is the center of a growing political fight.

Featured Today

Big Money on the Line on Premier League’s Final Day

Arsenal has won the title, but millions are still at stake.
Texas State mascot
May 22, 2026

Mascot-Reveal Videos Are the Newest College Sports Tradition

Student mascot unmasking videos are going mega-viral.
Charlie Pliner and Nikolas Rohrmann
May 22, 2026

How 2 Brown Undergrads Became Sports Dealmakers

An experimental project turned into a permanent course and business deal network.
May 14, 2026

NFL Rivalries Are Made on the Field, Mocked in Schedule Release Videos

Every year, teams find new ways to one-up themselves (and their rivals).

CBS, TNT Sports Parents Face New Merger Scrutiny by Lawmakers

A group of six U.S. senators raises concerns about the proposed megadeal.
The University of Alabama showed off renovations to Bryant Denny Stadium Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020. Sports Illustrated covers decorate the walls inside the new press box. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]
May 20, 2026

Sports Illustrated Defends Its Standards After Plagiarism Incident

SI removed its prediction-markets affiliate following accusations of plagiarism.
May 20, 2026

NHL Playoffs Deliver Record Second-Round Ratings for ESPN, TNT

The Canadiens-Sabres series brought additional audience milestones.
Sponsored

How Microsoft and the Premier League Are Making Fans Feel Closer to the Game

The Premier League reaches fans in 189 countries. Now, with Microsoft, it is making global fandom more personal through AI.
Racin' With The Boys
exclusive
May 20, 2026

‘Bussin’ With the Boys’ Launching New NASCAR Show

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions will produce the show.
May 19, 2026

NFL Pushes Back on Criticism Over TV and Streaming Deals

The league remains steadfast in its overall media approach.
May 19, 2026

Is Sports Coverage the Solution to ‘Google Zero’?

The glossy mag is betting sports coverage can arrest a traffic decline.
Oklahoma City, OK - May 22, 2025 - Paycom Center: Shams Charania at NBA Countdown during game 2 of the 2025 Western Conference finals.
May 19, 2026

Shams Charania’s MVP Scoop Highlights NBA-NFL Differences

It’s hard to imagine such a scoop happening in the NFL.