New voice Drury set as NBC opens 10th Premier League season

LONDON: Peter Drury’s voice has been synonymous with the Premier League for over 20 years. As he embarks on his first season as NBC’s play-by-play announcer, his new bosses have made one thing clear — don’t change the style.

“That’s a very strong message I get,” Drury said as he prepared for the opening weekend of games. “I’m not thinking of myself necessarily as speaking to any other audience than I already have done over the years. It’s my job simply to tell the story of the game. That doesn’t change whether I’m in the UK or America, or anywhere else in the world.

“It’s very clear that the American audience does not want a patronizing Englishman talking down, assuming that he or she has to have the game explained to them. The relationship has got way beyond that.”

Drury takes over for Arlo White, who called NBC’s coverage of England’s top soccer league since they acquired the rights in 2013. White is the lead announcer for the LIV Golf Series and calls some games for Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire.

While casual observers may not be familiar with Drury, he is known by diehard fans. He has been calling the top Premier League games since 1998, recently on the league’s world feed. Drury was also the main announcer for CBS Sports coverage of the Champions League.

Pierre Moossa, the coordinating producer for NBC’s Premier League coverage, described Drury as an incredible wordsmith who can make an audience appreciate and understand what is going on during the match.

“He has such a warm, welcoming and inclusive voice and way of narrating that I think people are going to really enjoy, especially early in the mornings,” Moossa said.

Drury will team with Lee Dixon and Graeme Le Saux for three games on the opening