Joe Buck to Guest Judge 'Dancing with the Stars' Super Bowl Night

Quick Takeaways\n> - Core Insight: Veteran broadcaster Joe Buck will appear as a guest judge on “Dancing with the Stars” during the network’s Super Bowl Night special.\n> - Key Highlight: Buck’s judging debut coincides with the first appearance of three former NFL players on the dance floor.\n> - Actionable Advice: Viewers should tune in Thursday, Feb. 8, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET to see the crossover event live.\n\nNEW YORK, Oct. 13— Joe Buck, longtime ABC/ESPN play‑by‑play voice, will sit on the judging panel of “Dancing with the Stars” for the program’s Super Bowl Night episode. The network confirmed the move Tuesday, adding that three ex‑NFL athletes—Julian Edelman, J.J. Watt and T.J. Watson—will compete in the same show. The crossover aims to capture both football fans and dance‑show audiences ahead of the 2027 Super Bowl broadcast.\n\n## Joe Buck judges DWTS Super Bowl Night\nThe announcement came from ABC’s senior vice president of programming, Lisa Miller, in a press release dated Oct. 12. Buck’s first‑time judging role will involve scoring performances on a 10‑point scale and delivering live commentary alongside regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Derek Hough. Buck’s on‑air debut is scheduled for the episode airing Thursday, Feb. 8, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET.\n\n### Background on Buck’s broadcasting career\n- 30‑year tenure covering NFL, MLB and college sports.\n- Six Emmy awards for sports journalism.\n- Recent shift to entertainment duties after signing a multi‑year deal with Disney.\n\n## NFL players on the dance floor\nThree former NFL stars have signed up for the competition:\n- Julian Edelman (WR, New England Patriots) – known for his agility and media savvy.\n- J.J. Watt (DE, Arizona Cardinals) – praised for his strength and recent charity dance videos.\n- T.J. Watson (QB, Cleveland Browns) – brings a charismatic presence from his post‑NFL TV work.\nTheir participation was confirmed by the NFL Players Association on Oct. 10, citing “mutual promotional benefits.”\n\n## Production timeline & ratings expectations\n| Parameter | Details / Specs | Recommendation |\n|—|—|—|\n| Air date | Feb 8, 2026, 8 p.m. ET | Promote on NFL pre‑game shows |\n| Audience target | 18‑49 demo, sports & reality fans | Cross‑promo on ESPN platforms |\n| Expected rating lift | +1.8 rating points vs. average DWTS episode | Allocate additional ad inventory |\n| Social buzz metric | Projected 12 M #DWTSSuperBowl mentions | Deploy real‑time social monitoring |\n\n## Future outlook and official statements\nABC President Kevin Reilly said the experiment “blurs the line between sport and entertainment in a way that reflects how audiences consume content today.” Joe Buck told reporters, “I’ve spent my career calling games; now I’m excited to call a dance routine and see how the athletes translate that competitive fire to the floor.” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell added that the partnership “offers players a platform to showcase personality beyond the gridiron.”\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n### When does the Super Bowl Night episode of DWTS air?\nThe episode premieres Thursday, Feb. 8, 2026 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.\n### Which former NFL players will compete on DWTS?\nJulian Edelman, J.J. Watt and T.J. Watson are confirmed participants.\n### How will Joe Buck’s judging affect the show’s format?\nBuck will replace one of the regular judges for the episode, scoring each dance on a 10‑point scale and providing live commentary alongside the existing panel.