A new era may be dawning in Major League Baseball broadcasting. As ESPN exits the diamond after decades of coverage, media giant NBCUniversal is reportedly stepping up to the plate with prime-time dreams and a multi-billion-dollar swing. But big money alone won’t bring the magic—every great game needs a great voice. And NBC might just have its eye on one of the most beloved voices in baseball.
ESPN and MLB broke up in February, marking the end of a relationship that started in 1990. And let’s be honest, it was time for MLB to find a fresh media home. Now, with NBC stepping in as the savior, all they want is to make their shows number one, like their Sunday Night Football. For that, they will need more than just money, they’ll need a top-tier crew to back it up. And according to reporter Mark C. Healey, they might be eyeing fans’ favorite Mets play-by-play announcer.
Yes, you guessed it right—SNY’s Mets announcer, Gary Cohen. The name is certainly not unfamiliar to any Mets fan. “If NBC gets the Sunday Night Baseball package, don’t be surprised if Gary Cohen gets tabbed as the PBP voice,” Healey posted on X. If the speculation turns out to be correct, this time Cohen would bag a national gig—a well-deserved one.
If NBC gets the Sunday Night Baseball package, don’t be surprised if Gary Cohen gets tabbed as the PBP voice. pic.twitter.com/qm4FCrJFbw
— Mark C. Healey (@MarkCHealey) May 23, 2025
He’s been with SNY for a long time, ever since the inception of the network in 2006. Nearly two decades spent in the booth, and in that time, it is no wonder that he has become nothing short of a fan favorite. Awful Announcing named his team, including Keith Hernandez and Ron Darling, as the best booth in MLB for the 2024 season.
That’s not a rare case scenario for them. The Mets’ booth is always ranked in the top three in the league, and most would cite Cohen as the reason. Now, if he decides to step in as the voice for MLB, when NBC takes over, the Mets fans might be a bit disappointed to miss him. But that wouldn’t stop them from wishing only the absolute best for him. After all, he’s one of those announcers who helped the the Metsies through all the bad years and boring games.
With a keen eye, Cohen has a way to make things fun while keeping the spirit of the game high. The recent hat incident during the Mets vs. Red Sox game on Wednesday is proof of that.
Gary Cohen calls out fan wearing a crossover Yankees-Mets hat
When the Mets visited Fenway Park this week, there was another group rooting for the Mets—yes, the Yankees fans. And why, if you must ask? The Boston Red Sox are the main rival of the leaders in the AL East. After Boston took the first two wins, Wednesday’s game became a lot more interesting. Both New York teams were hoping for one thing: Boston’s fall. But one fan seemed to take it a bit further, and Cohen didn’t let it slide.
In the sixth inning of the finale, the SNY broadcast cut to a fan wearing a hat featuring both Mets and Yankees logos. And Cohen didn’t miss that. He went right in: “I’m sorry, that is illegal, you may not wear that hat,” he said, asking New York to choose one team. “You want sauerkraut on your hot dog, you want onions on your hot dog? You want nova on your bagel and schmear, you want whitefish? Mets or Yankees?” Cohen’s quick and hilarious reaction drew attention from many fans.
Credit: Gordon Donovan / NurPhoto via Associated Press
He’s been delivering head-turning analysis and commentary from the booth for years and has become an integral part of every Mets game. Part of a ritual! The Mets ended up winning that game, and energy like that from the booth only helped the fans. Now, as he’s rumored to be the main voice for MLB, every game might become a bit more interesting. The only question is—will this speculation materialize? Only Gary Cohen knows.
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