Fox Sports CEO affirms Alexi Lalas as cornerstone of soccer coverage

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 2, 2026, 12:00 AM

Last updated Jul 2, 2026

Fox Sports CEO affirms Alexi Lalas as cornerstone of soccer coverage

Summary

Eric Shanks, CEO of Fox Sports, stated that Alexi Lalas will remain a key figure in the network's soccer coverage for years. Lalas, a former USMNT defender and analyst, has faced criticism during Fox's FIFA World Cup coverage this summer but has maintained a prominent role, particularly on match days with an all-American panel. His relationship with Fox has been long-standing, though the network's future World Cup broadcasting rights remain uncertain, with their contract ending after this year’s tournament.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Eric Shanks calls Lalas the 'cornerstone' of soccer coverage.
•Lalas joined American panels for USMNT matches this summer.
•Fox's contract with FIFA ends after this World Cup.
•Future broadcasting rights negotiations for 2030 Cup expected.

Latest Updates

12:00 AMYahoo Sports — Fox Sports CEO: Alexi Lalas will be ‘cornerstone’ for years to come

What they're saying

"
Alexi Lalas isn’t going anywhere. While the former USMNT defender turned soccer television provocateur drew intense criticism in the first weeks of Fox Sports’ FIFA men’s World Cup coverage this summer, the network is seemingly not concerned. In an interview with Puck’s John Ourand released Wednesday ahead of the USMNT’s knockout-round tilt against Bosnia and…
— Yahoo Sports

Related Teams & Leagues

Soccer