PressPass

ESPN FC Press Pass was a 30-minute show which aired six times a week, Sunday to Friday, and featuring soccer discussion between presenters Andrew Orsatti, Adrian Healey, Dan Thomas and analysts including Robbie Mustoe, Gabriele Marcotti, Tommy Smyth, Janusz Michallik, Shaka Hislop, Robbie Earle, Steve Nicol, Stewart Robson, Craig Burley, Sid Lowe, Julien Laurens, Raphael Honigstein, Martin Ainstein, Steve McManaman, Frank Leboeuf and Martin Keown.

Broadcasts

The show aired in Australia, New Zealand, the Caribbean, United Kingdom, Ireland, Africa, Israel, the Middle East and the United States.

Format

Andrew Orsatti, Adrian Healey and Dan Thomas alternated as the main hosts. A personality-driven show, it often featured outlandish comments involving Smyth, an Irishman fond of using the term 'Auld Onion Bag' when referring to goals scored. The hosts' job was to stimulate debate on a variety of global topics.

During the European club season, ESPN FC Press Pass paid particular attention to the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga.

Orsatti, Healey, Mustoe, Smyth, Thomas, Hislop and Michallik often commentated on soccer matches shown on ESPN. JP Dellacamera, Eddie Mighten, and Mike Hill are all former hosts or analysts.

Former presenters of the program included Derek Rae, Dave Roberts and Alison Bender.^[1][2]

Guest analysts

Former Liverpool and Scotland player Steve Nicol became a regular contributor after leaving his post as Head Coach of MLS club New England Revolution. 1998 World Cup Winner Frank Leboeuf who collected multiple trophies in his time at Chelsea, including two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, appears on an infrequent basis from ESPN's studios in Los Angeles.

References

1. Real Madrid TV Football Barbie
2. Press Pass - World Cup Breakdown: USA vs England Preview ESPN, June 10, 2010