Full Breakdown
FOX Sports Expands Veterans Day Tribute to a Two-Day Live Broadcast from West Point and Annapolis
By Drooid · · How we work
Background & Context
Each year FOX Sports honors U.S. service members during Veterans Day weekend with on-air tributes. This year the network broadened the tradition by staging back-to-back pre-game shows from the nation’s two premier service academies: the United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis. The expansion aligns with the broader national celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday and underscores the longstanding partnership between American sports programming and the military.
Key Figures
- Eric Shanks – CEO and executive producer of FOX Sports, the architect of the expanded tribute.
- Rob Stone, Urban Meyer, Matt Leinart, Brady Quinn, Mark Ingram II, Chris “The Bear” Fallica, Tom Rinaldi – Hosts of the Saturday college-football pre-game show.
- Curt Menefee, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Michael Strahan, Rob Gronkowski, Jay Glazer, Charissa Thompson, Charles Woodson, Julian Edelman – Hosts of the Sunday NFL pre-game show.
Timeline of the Tribute
- Saturday of Veterans Day weekend – The college-football pre-game program begins at 10 a.m. Eastern Time from West Point. The broadcast features the regular host panel together with special guests on Trophy Point, set against the backdrop of the academy’s historic grounds and a crowd of uniformed cadets.
- Sunday of Veterans Day weekend – The NFL pre-game program airs at 11 a.m. Eastern Time, simultaneously from West Point and Annapolis. The show highlights the Naval Academy’s iconic Bancroft Hall and the Brigade of Midshipmen while the same host panel delivers commentary and honors.
Official Statements & Responses
FOX Sports CEO Eric Shanks explained that the network’s goal is to deepen the connection between military service and sports by uniting its two flagship pre-game shows in a historic dual-location broadcast. He noted that the academies provide a uniquely meaningful backdrop for celebrating veterans and that the expanded format reflects the network’s “longstanding tradition” of honoring service members. Throughout the weekend, FOX Sports plans to feature storytelling segments, personal tributes, and on-air moments that recognize the sacrifices of veterans while showcasing life at both academies as cadets and midshipmen prepare for future military careers.
Why It Matters
The two-day live tribute marks the first time FOX Sports has staged consecutive pre-game broadcasts from two separate service academies. By doing so, the network amplifies public visibility of the military’s role in American culture and reinforces the symbolic link between athletic competition and national service. The expanded coverage also offers viewers a rare glimpse into the traditions and daily environment of West Point and Annapolis, potentially strengthening public appreciation for the armed forces during a period of heightened patriotic observance.