Color commentator

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A color commentator, sometimes known as a color analyst, is a member of the broadcasting team for a sporting event who assists the play-by-play announcer by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color commentator provides expert analysis and background information, such as statistics, strategy and injury reports, on the teams and athletes, and occasionally light humor. Color commentators are usually people who used to play and/or coach the sport that they broadcast.

In the United Kingdom the term is largely unknown: a play-by-play announcer is called a commentator. The role of color commentator is not so clearly defined, but the term summariser is sometimes used and former players often appear as pundits, filling a similar role. In Germany, most football matches feature just a single play-by-play announcer, without a color commentator.

Examples of the more well-known color commentators, current and former, in their respective sports include:

American Football