Tag: Melissa Stark

NFL Network reportedly cuts 4 big on-air names, including Andrew Siciliano and Melissa Stark

Awful news out of the NFL Network.

The changes that happened at the NFL Network back in 2023 are reportedly continuing in 2024.

Per a report from Andrew Marchand at The Athletic, four on-air personalities will be out: Melissa Stark, Andrew Siciliano, Will Selva and James Palmer are all out.

Stark is still at NBC as the sideline reporter for Sunday Night Football. For Siciliano, it’s the end of a run that included hosting the Red Zone channel, which finished up in January of 2023. Palmer and Selva have been staples all over the network including on Good Morning Football, which is moving to Los Angeles.

As of publishing this, only Palmer has addressed the news, and we’ll update as we hear more.

UPDATE: Here’s Stark:

Dan Campbell cut off a Melissa Stark question about the Lions’ defense by aggressively praising Patrick Mahomes

“WE’RE GOOD, WE GOTTA CONTAIN MAHOMES!”

Entering Thursday night’s opening matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, we already knew Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell was a one-liner machine. And he didn’t disappoint with a new glorious addition to the Campbell lexicon during the live broadcast.

At halftime, with the Chiefs leading 14-7 after a sublime first-half performance from Mahomes, Campbell spoke to NBC reporter Melissa Stark about his team’s play. After discussing his offense, Campbell didn’t even let Stark ask about the defense and how it was somewhat struggling. He aggressively went straight to the root of the issue, assuming Stark would ask herself anyway: It’s Mahomes.

It’s almost always Mahomes.

That’s a locked-in coach who has been around the block with these interviews and doesn’t have any time to waste. Never change, Mr. Campbell. Stay hilariously intense, and let us continue to marvel at your focus.

John Harbaugh unleashed his snark to NBC sideline reporter Melissa Stark

John Harbaugh got snarky with NBC Sports’ Melissa Stark during an in-game sideline interview.

On “The Tonight Show” in 1976, Frank Sinatra told a wonderful story about seeing Don Rickles in a restaurant.

The legendary Sinatra said the caustic comedian came over to his table and asked the singer to stop by and say hello because he was with a beautiful woman.

Rickles insinuated knowing Sinatra would impress his date.

Being a good sport, Sinatra stopped by to greet Rickles, who responded by saying, “Can’t you see I’m eating, Frank?”

The same network offered an interview with similar results Sunday night when the Bengals played host to the Ravens.

Only John Harbaugh was not in the mood to joke around with his team down 9-0.

Melissa Stark asked the Ravens’ coach a series of questions and each one drew an abrupt response.

Harbaugh’s tone probably would have been more contrite after the half when his Ravens had taken the lead.

Timing, as they say, is everything.

Melissa Stark replacing Michele Tafoya on Sunday Night Football

Who is replacing Michele Tafoya

NBC Sports went to an audible on replacing Michele Tafoya as its sideline reporter on Sunday Night Football.

The New York Post reports Melissa Stark gets the nod and not Kathryn Tappen, who was the presumed favorite for the gig after filling in for Tafoya last year and working one sideline in the Super Bowl.

Stark will be another new face and voice on the team as Mike Tirico takes over play-by-play for the great Al Michaels.

Michaels has moved on to Amazon, where he will be the voice for its Thursday Night Football telecasts. Advantage, Amazon.

Stark has worked for ESPN, NBC Sports, NBC on The Today Show and NFL Network.