Jon Champion

Jonathan Martin Champion was born on May 23, 1965, in Harrogate, West Riding of Yorkshire. He pursued his education at Archbishop Holgate’s Grammar School in York and later attended the University of Leeds (Trinity & All Saints College), graduating in 1988. Champion began his career at BBC Sport in the late 1980s, working as a football commentator on BBC Radio Five Live from 1992 to 1996. During this period, he covered numerous events including the 1994 and 1996 First Division play-off Finals and the 1996 UEFA Champions League Final. His early career also saw him commentate on rugby league Challenge Cup games for BBC Television, typically handling the televised Sunday matches.

In 1995, Champion transitioned to television commentary for ‘Match of the Day’ at the BBC, initially covering for John Motson. This led to a permanent role on the BBC’s commentary team from 1996 to 2001, where he covered Premier League highlights, the FA Cup, and occasional UEFA Cup matches. A significant career move occurred in 2001 when he joined ITV Sport after they secured the rights for Premier League highlights. At ITV, he became a regular commentator for the Premier League, League Cup, Football League, and the UEFA Champions League. He continued to gain recognition for his clear and knowledgeable commentary style. In 2010 and 2012, he was loaned back to ITV for the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro tournaments, often working alongside Craig Burley.

Champion further expanded his career by joining Setanta Sports UK in 2007 as their lead FA Premier League play-by-play announcer. After Setanta’s administration in 2009, he moved to ESPN, becoming their lead play-by-play commentator for ESPN UK, covering the Europa League and FA Cup, including the 2011 FA Cup Final. His work with ESPN continued to establish his presence in international football broadcasting, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016. From 2019 to 2022, Champion served as the lead play-by-play commentator for MLS on ESPN and USMNT games, often partnered with Taylor Twellman. In 2023, he joined NBC Sports to commentate on the Premier League’s Sunday matches, while also continuing his commitments with ESPN/ABC. His consistent presence and insightful commentary have made him a respected figure in sports broadcasting globally.