FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017

MSNBC’S JOE SCARBOROUGH TO HOST NEW PREMIER LEAGUE SERIES “THIS IS FOOTBALL” –DEBUTS TUES., DEC. 26, AT 4 PM ET ON NBCSN

Men In Blazers’ Roger Bennett to Appear on Scarborough-Hosted Morning Joe Tomorrow on MSNBC to Discuss the Show

Premiere Highlights Manchester United – Manchester City Rivalry

STAMFORD, Conn. – December 13, 2017 – NBC Sports Group debuts This is Football, a new Premier League series hosted by Joe Scarborough, on Boxing Day (Tuesday, December 26) at 4 p.m. ET on NBCSN. In the series, Scarborough, co-host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe and a longtime Premier League fan, will take viewers inside the history, tradition and rivalries between the clubs and their supporters.

Men in Blazers’ Roger Bennett will appear on Morning Joe tomorrow, Thursday, December 14 on MSNBC (weekdays, 6-9 a.m. ET) to discuss the new series with Scarborough.

In the premiere episode, Scarborough explores the intense rivalry between Manchester United and Manchester City. Manchester, England is a working class city that has survived on football and music for more than a century. Scarborough explores the city’s history and tradition of both football and music, the rivalry that divides it to its core, and the deep-rooted traditions that live within both clubs and their supporters.

“English football is primal in a way that you have to see to believe,” said Scarborough. “Until I took a deep dive into the Premier League’s most heated rivalries, I thought SEC football battles were the most tribal in sports. I think I was wrong.”

From former players to super fans, Scarborough discovers the essence of what it really means to be a football supporter. The episode includes interviews with:

  • Mike Summerbee – Manchester City player 1965-1975;
  • Paddy Crerand – Manchester United player 1963-1971;
  • Alex Stepney – Manchester United player 1966-1978;
  • Sir Howard Bernstein – Former Chief Executive of Manchester City Council;

In addition, Scarborough talks with the owner of The Old Nags Head bar, one of the biggest United supporter bars in Manchester, a Manchester United chant writer, and a Manchester City super fan who has attended the last 800 matches. The series is produced by IMG in partnership with Dynamo Films.

–NBC SPORTS GROUP–