Kevin Egan is the face of MLS 360 on Apple TV, but his journey to the top wasn't easy. The Irish broadcaster was once told his accent would never make it on American airwaves. Now he's proving everyone wrong.
Egan's story starts in Chicago, where his dad Liam met his mom while touring as a Gaelic footballer. After seven years, the family moved back to Ireland, where Kevin was born in 1985. Like his father, he played Gaelic football until an ACL tear changed everything.
That injury pushed Egan into broadcasting. He worked his way up at Irish network RTÉ Sport, covering the World Cup, Premier League, and Champions League. Then in January 2009, he moved to Chicago and fell in love - literally. One week after arriving, he met his future wife Meg at a café.
But work was brutal. For six months, Egan faced constant rejection. When he finally got a break at the Big Ten Network, a producer told him flat out: "I wouldn't put your accent on the air." This happened right after his best friend died, making it even harder.
Meg gave him a choice: go through the producer, go around him, or let him win. Egan chose to go around. He created his own show, the BTN Soccer Report, with friends. It was rough at first, but it worked. The Chicago Fire noticed and hired him as their sideline reporter in 2012.
From MLS to WWE and Back
Egan's career exploded from there. He worked for Fox Sports, ESPN, and Turner. He moved to Miami for beIN Sports, covering Serie A, La Liga, and World Cup qualifiers. Then came Atlanta in 2019, where he called Atlanta United games.
In 2021, Egan made a wild move to WWE as Kevin Patrick. He became the first foreign voice to lead Monday Night Raw in October 2022. After three years juggling WWE and MLS, he went all-in on soccer, becoming the lead host of MLS 360.
Now every weekend, Egan flies from Atlanta to New York to host Apple TV's live MLS coverage. For bettors following MLS action, he's become the trusted voice breaking down matches as they happen. His whip-around coverage helps fans track multiple games and spot value in live betting markets.
Innovation vs. Tradition in American Soccer
Egan has strong opinions about how American sports mix entertainment with tradition. He hates hydration breaks during matches, calling them unnecessary sponsorship grabs. But he loves the ref cam innovation that gives fans unique angles of players like Lionel Messi.
"I don't understand how people wouldn't like that," Egan says about the ref cam footage. It's the kind of access that makes MLS stand out and helps fans understand game flow - crucial for in-play betting decisions.
When asked if rejection made him better, Egan stays humble. He credits learning from pros like Brian Dunseth, a former U.S. Olympic captain. His advice? Master the basics, be a good person, study the game, and respect it.
The Irish accent that almost ended his career? It's now his signature. Egan proves that sometimes the things holding you back become your biggest strengths. As MLS grows with Irish players like Jon Gallagher at Austin FC, Connor Ronan at Colorado Rapids, and Kevin O'Toole at NYCFC, having an Irish voice leading the coverage feels perfect.
