Zac Brown Band to headline NBC Sunday Night Baseball opener
The Zac Brown Band will provide the opening music for NBC’s Sunday‑night coverage of Major League Baseball, beginning with the first “Sunday Night Baseball” game on Monday, April 22. NBC aired a preview of the band’s performance during the network’s opening night broadcast between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers, with the full segment aired during the Atlanta Braves vs. Cleveland Guardians matchup.
The opening features the band’s rendition of Emerson, Lake & Palladium’s “Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression Part 2.” NBC Sports creative director Tripp Dixon noted the choice highlighted the show’s long‑standing nickname, “The Show,” and the theme of anticipation for a Sunday night broadcast.
The three‑year contract between Major League Baseball and NBC, signed in November, includes Sunday night games and the playoffs’ wild‑card round. Production of the music and visuals was completed on a tight schedule after the network’s earlier collaboration with the band on a Thanksgiving‑night Thursday spot.
Following the initial game, the “Sunday Night Baseball” series will shift to Peacock and NBCSN for six weeks before returning to NBC from May 31 through September 6. The debut is particularly meaningful for the band’s frontman, who grew up in Georgia and has long supported the Braves.