Chris Stapleton and Snoop Dogg have teamed up, along with drummer Cindy Blackman Santana, on a new version of the 1981 Phil Collins classic hit “In The Air Tonight,” that will play every week on the “Monday Night Football” broadcast on ESPN for the 2023 NFL season.
ESPN released a teaser video on Monday ahead of its season premiere featuring the new version singing the chorus of Collins’ song. Stapleton brings his soulful vocals, while Snoop inserts football-centric rap verses. Blackman Santana delivers the iconic drum solo.
The artists, and the song, were chosen in light of ESPN’s creative content team’s focus-group research that revealed the “MNF” brand contains a level of nostalgia dating back to the era in which announcer Howard Cosell called the games.
Finding a contemporary way to pump up the millions – visually and audially – from home was the challenge, according to producer Rico Labbe.
The “Heavy Action” theme synonymous with “Monday Night Football” will remain on the broadcast as well.
Tonight’s debut of Phil Collins’ megahit ahead of Monday Night Football adds to the television networks “Two Games, One Night,” special presentation (Monday, Sept. 18). The new opening will lead into both ESPN (Saints at Panthers, 7:15 p.m. ET) and ABC (Browns at Steelers, 8:15 p.m.) games and then continue ahead all Monday Night Football games, ESPN’s Week 18 Saturday Doubleheader, Super Wild Card, and its first Divisional playoff game.
New Monday Night Football Anthem “In The Air Tonight” premieres tonight on @ESPNNFL. @SnoopDogg @Drumstress pic.twitter.com/eLjmjNwf1d
— Chris Stapleton (@ChrisStapleton) September 18, 2023
