The first game of the NFL Preseason is getting a new (old) home. After almost two decades on NBC, the Hall of Fame Game will be simulcast by ABC and ESPN this year due to NBC airing 2024 Paris Olympics coverage that night.
ABC originally had the television rights for the game for over 40 years from 1971-2005 before it moved in 2006 when NBC picked up the rights to the Sunday Night Football package that had been under the ESPN umbrella. This was the time that Sunday Night Football became the NFL’s premier primetime network package as Monday Night Football moved to ESPN.
“The 2024 Hall of Fame Game, slated for 8 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 1, will be broadcast live on ESPN and ABC. In the Hall of Fame Game’s 52-year history, this marks the first official broadcast on ESPN,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame said in an announcement on their website. “ESPN Deportes will carry the Spanish-language telecast of the game. From 1971-2005, the Hall of Fame Game was televised nationally by ABC, whose sports division merged with ESPN, Inc. in 2006. The Chicago Bears will take on the Houston Texans in this year’s matchup, which kicks off the National Football League’s 105th season in the city where the League was born. The game will take place in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.”
Unsurprisingly, ESPN will send their top Monday Night Football crew of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Lisa Salters to call the game. While the Bears have been picked for the game because of the inductions of franchise legends Devin Hester and Steve McMichael, it also doubles as the first chance to see #1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams in uniform. At least, fans will hope they get to see him on the field for one drive and throw a pass before he dons a cap on the sideline.
