New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson is slated to join Eli and Peyton Manning for their "ManningCast" alternate broadcast of ESPN's Monday Night Football game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. The appearance is scheduled for the third quarter of the matchup.
Brunson, who grew up in South Jersey and is a vocal fan of the Eagles, will be the fifth active NBA player to feature on the "ManningCast." He follows in the footsteps of LeBron James, Draymond Green, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson, all of whom have previously appeared on the broadcast. Former NBA star Charles Barkley has also been a guest.
This guest spot continues a recent surge in Brunson's media profile. He recently hosted "Saturday Night Live" in September 2026, marking a significant media engagement for the current NBA champion. The Knicks' 2026 championship season was noted as the first for a New York major sports team since Eli Manning's Giants won the Super Bowl in 2011.
Brunson and Eli Manning have had prior interactions, including an episode of "The Eli Manning Show" where Manning questioned Brunson's Eagles fandom. Brunson explained his loyalty stemmed from his upbringing in South Jersey, an area heavily influenced by Philadelphia sports culture. He recalled his first non-NBA sporting event being Terrell Owens' debut game at Lincoln Financial Field.
Despite their differing team allegiances, Brunson and Manning found common ground during their discussion, noting that both their teams had defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.