In a groundbreaking collaboration between The Simpsons and ESPN, fans will get to watch an alternate, animated telecast of the December 9 Monday Night Football game featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys. According to Deadline, his unique broadcast will transport the game to Springfield’s Atoms Stadium, home base of The Simpsons. Both Bart and Homer will represent opposing teams, with Bart aligning with the Bengals and Homer with the Cowboys. Joining them will be fan-favorite characters like Lisa, Moe, Milhouse, and Krusty, each rooting from the sidelines.
This venture builds upon ESPN and Disney’s “Funday Football” initiative, which debuted last year with a Toy Story-themed telecast. However, this year’s Simpsons broadcast will feature deeper engagement, thanks to the involvement of veteran voice actors Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, and Yeardley Smith. Their characters will appear in original skits and in-game segments, adding a humorous touch to the actual gameplay, with scenes tailored specifically to fans of The Simpsons. Notably, the event will be free from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike restrictions that limited last year’s broadcast, allowing more scripted material and performances.
The immersive experience will stream live on Disney+, ESPN+, and mobile on NFL+. The alternate broadcast is part of a strategic effort by ESPN to reach a broader audience, following the success of the Manningcast, which has brought fresh energy and viewership to the games. With advanced tracking technology from NFL’s Next Gen Stats and Sony’s Beyond Sports, viewers will see animated renditions of every play, action, and even player movement at AT&T Stadium in real time. The broadcast will feature dynamic animations, with Marge and Lisa Simpson set to interview animated players, and Maggie operating the SkyCam—a whimsical nod to the show’s iconic humor.
Internationally, the animated telecast will reach over 145 markets, including Latin America, the Caribbean, Australia, and parts of Europe and Africa. Video on demand will be available 12 hours post-broadcast, expanding access further.
ESPN personalities like Mina Kimes, Dan Orlovsky, and Drew Carter will also be animated in The Simpsons style, blending sports commentary with the signature aesthetics of the show. The 2023 Toy Story telecast won three Sports Emmys, setting a high bar, but this Simpsons-themed telecast aims to bring even more innovation and entertainment to NFL viewing.