Good Morning America viewers have been buzzing about a familiar sports voice joining their favorite morning show, and they’re absolutely right to be excited. The “new guy” everyone’s talking about is none other than Joe Buck, the legendary ESPN Monday Night Football announcer who recently made headlines by guest-hosting ABC’s flagship morning program.
Joe Buck: From NFL Sidelines to Morning TV
Joe Buck guest-hosted GMA from July 23-25, 2025, marking an unexpected but exciting career pivot for the veteran broadcaster. Known for his work as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball and NFL games, Buck’s transition from sports commentary to morning television has captured viewers’ attention nationwide.
Why Joe Buck on Good Morning America?
The collaboration makes perfect sense when you consider the corporate connection. ABC is the sister station of ESPN, with both operating under the Disney umbrella. This synergy has opened doors for ESPN personalities to cross over into ABC’s morning programming, creating fresh content opportunities for both networks.
Buck’s appearance wasn’t a one-off experiment either. Sources indicate that fellow ESPN personalities Elle Duncan and Laura Rutledge are also in talks to guest-host later this summer, suggesting this could be the beginning of a broader integration strategy between ESPN and ABC News.
What Made Joe Buck’s GMA Debut Special?
Buck, a veteran broadcaster now with ESPN, is best known for his work on Monday Night Football, but his transition to morning television showed a different side of his broadcasting talents. Viewers got to see the sports legend tackle news segments, entertainment stories, and the lighter fare that makes GMA America’s most-watched morning program.
The timing was particularly interesting, as Buck recently stated that he has no plans of retiring anytime soon, making his foray into morning television seem like a natural expansion of his broadcasting repertoire rather than a career wind-down move.
The Broader GMA Shake-Up Context
Buck’s guest hosting stint comes during a period of significant change for the Good Morning America family. While the main show’s core team of Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, and Michael Strahan remains intact, ABC News has been implementing various changes across its morning programming block.
The network has been experimenting with different personalities and formats, particularly following recent changes to GMA3, the afternoon companion show. This experimentation has created opportunities for cross-network collaborations like Buck’s appearance.
Fan Reactions and Reception
Viewers have been notably positive about seeing Buck in this new environment. Social media buzz around his appearance suggests that audiences appreciate seeing familiar faces in fresh contexts, especially when those personalities bring the professionalism and experience that Buck is known for.
The crossover also demonstrates ABC’s strategy to leverage the broader Disney entertainment ecosystem, creating content that can appeal to both sports fans and general morning show audiences.
What This Means for the Future
Buck’s successful guest hosting stint could signal more ESPN personalities appearing on ABC News programs. ESPN spokesperson confirmed Andrews will guest co-host GMA this Saturday and Sunday, as well as the GMA3 digital program, indicating this is part of a broader initiative rather than isolated appearances.
For Buck personally, this expansion into morning television adds another dimension to his already impressive broadcasting career. While he remains committed to his ESPN duties, including Monday Night Football, his GMA appearance shows his versatility as a television personality.
Read More: Where is George Stephanopoulos on GMA?
The Bottom Line on Joe Buck’s GMA Role
So when people ask “who is the new guy on Good Morning America,” the answer is Joe Buck – though “new” might be a temporary designation. His July 2025 guest hosting stint was well-received enough that it wouldn’t be surprising to see him return for future appearances.
Buck’s crossover from sports broadcasting to morning television represents the evolving landscape of television, where networks are increasingly willing to experiment with talent across different genres and time slots. For viewers, it means getting to see beloved personalities in new contexts, bringing fresh energy to established programs.
While Joe Buck isn’t permanently joining the GMA team, his guest hosting role demonstrates how Disney’s media properties are working together to create compelling content and give audiences new reasons to tune in. For sports fans who might not typically watch morning shows, Buck’s appearance could be the perfect bridge to discover what makes Good Morning America such a enduring success.
Whether this leads to more regular appearances or remains a special occasional treat, Joe Buck’s time behind the GMA desk has certainly given viewers something new to talk about – and that’s exactly what successful morning television is all about.