Internet sensation John Fanta leaves Fox to become NBC’s Big East announcer: Sources

John Fanta, who has become something of an internet sensation, is moving from Fox Sports to become NBC Sports’ lead Big East college basketball play-by-play announcer and will also work in the studio for Big Ten and Notre Dame football games, sources briefed on the matter told The Athletic.

Fanta, 30, has become popular on social media for his enthusiasm and his rants on teams like the Cleveland Browns. For six years, he has worked predominantly for Fox Sports but has already mixed in some NBC/Peacock games.

With Noah Eagle, who has been Peacock’s lead college basketball voice, adding the NBA to his broadcasting duties, NBC needed more play-by-play announcers to cover 200 men’s and women’s college games from the Big Ten, Big East and Big 12. Fanta, who previously called many Big East games for FS1, will work some Big Ten and Big 12 games, besides the Big East.

On Notre Dame and Big Ten football on Saturdays, Fanta will serve as the update man for in-game highlights. Fanta is also expected to be in the mix as a reporter on NBC’s NBA coverage and could be part of the network’s Olympic coverage.

(Photo of John Fanta: Eric Canha / Imagn Images)