ESPN has signed Fernando Palomo a new multi-year contract, keeping one of its most recognizable voices in soccer broadcasting on the network. Palomo, who joined ESPN in 2000, will continue to serve as the lead Spanish play-by-play voice for the company's exclusive coverage of LALIGA in the U.S., and a prominent voice across international soccer coverage in Spanish and English.
Kicking off his renewed agreement, Palomo will be in Madrid on Sunday, March 22, to call the highly anticipated Madrid derby - Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid at 4 p.m. ET - live on ESPN Deportes and ESPN+ (Spanish), further highlighting his role at the center of key soccer events.
In addition to covering marquee matchups, Palomo will continue to host and contribute to Spanish studio programming across ESPN Deportes in the U.S. and ESPN in Latin America, including ESPN FC, Futbol Center, SportsCenter, and more. He will remain a staple in ESPN's Olympic Games coverage.
"Fernando is unlike anyone else in our industry," said Rodolfo Martinez, Senior Vice President, International and ESPN Deportes Production. "He joined ESPN more than 25 years ago as a SportsCenter anchor in Latin America and has grown into one of the most trusted, versatile and recognizable voices in soccer across two continents and two languages. Fernando's journey with us reflects exactly the kind of talent and commitment ESPN is built on, and we are proud that this story continues."
"I am grateful to keep growing at the place that welcomed me in 2000," said Palomo. "My excitement walking onto campus is the same today as it was on day one."
A signature voice for LALIGA and international soccer
In addition to his role as ESPN's signature Spanish-language voice for LALIGA in the United States, Palomo has, over the years, commentated on UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, Serie A, LALIGA, and World Cup qualifying matches, and more. He is among the first prominent Spanish-language soccer voices to also call play-by-play in English for U.S. audiences. He served as one of ESPN's English-language play-by-play commentators at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He continues to call select matches in English, uniquely serving bilingual audiences across ESPN platforms.
Across Latin America, Palomo is ESPN's lead Spanish-language play-by-play voice for UEFA Champions League, a role that has placed him at the booth for more than 14 Champions League Finals and made him one of the most recognized voices in the sport in Latin America North and Central America. He is also the lead Spanish voice for the UEFA Women's Champions League in the United States, and the men's and women's CONCACAF Gold Cup in Latin America.
Host and contributor to ESPN signature soccer studio programming
Palomo's versatility across different on-air roles - play-by-play commentator, studio host and anchor, and reporter - has earned him critical acclaim. He helmed the popular Fuera de Juego (now Spanish ESPN FC) through several Sports Emmy nominations (Spanish) and is a regular contributor across ESPN Deportes and ESPN's daily international soccer studio programming since 2006, including Ahora o Nunca, ESPN FC, Futbol Center, and SportsCenter.
A fixture at the Olympic Games
Palomo has been part of ESPN's Olympic Games coverage for nearly two decades. He contributed to ESPN Deportes' coverage of the Pan American Games in 2007, 2011 and 2015, and to ESPN's presentation of the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Latin America. He also contributes to news and information coverage of the Olympic Games for ESPN and ESPN Deportes. He will continue in that capacity under the new agreement.
Athletic background
Before his broadcasting career, Palomo competed in the javelin at Texas A&M University, where he was a three-year letterman and competed at the 1996 NCAA Track & Field Championships. Palomo also went on to set the El Salvador national record in the javelin throw (72.70 meters) in 1998, a mark that still stands. He also represented El Salvador at the 1995 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, the 1998 Central American Games and the 1998 Ibero-American Games.
In recognition of his athletic achievements, Palomo was inducted in 2019 into the Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry, Texas A&M University's athletics hall of honor for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He was also named a recipient of the 2021 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers. He remains a lifetime member of the Texas A&M Lettermen's Association.
More on Palomo
Palomo was born in San Salvador, El Salvador and earned his degree from Texas A&M University (Class of 1995). In 2026, he was inducted into the Hall of Honor by the Former Journalism Students Association at Texas A&M, which recognized his journalistic career and commitment to excellence in the profession. He began his broadcasting career in 1999 with Channel 4 TV in San Salvador and joined ESPN in 2000 as a SportsCenter anchor in Latin America. He also anchored SportsCenter for ESPN Deportes from 2004 to 2006.
Palomo serves as the Spanish play-by-play voice for EA Sports' FIFA video game franchise since 2013, bringing his voice into the living rooms and gaming screens of millions of fans worldwide.
Off the air, Palomo is an ambassador for Glasswing International Foundation, which addresses the root causes of poverty and violence in Central America, and for FUSAL, a Salvadoran non-profit committed to social development and education for underserved communities.
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Source: ESPN
