Artificial intelligence is entering sports broadcasting, replacing some Spanish-language commentators and raising concerns about jobs, authenticity, and the future of media production.
The popular sports broadcaster Troy Santiago received a surprising phone call a few days ago. The Spanish-language broadcasts he had hosted for the slap-fighting competition Power Slap throughout 2025 were being suspended, and the company offered no further explanation.
Santiago, an experienced host who has covered multiple sports—including events from Ultimate Fighting Championship, American football, and others—initially took the news calmly. “When one door closes, another one opens,” he said in a video shared on his social media accounts.
But his reaction changed days later when he watched a new Spanish broadcast of Power Slap. The event was now being narrated by artificial intelligence. That’s when he realized that he and his broadcast partner, Santiago Ponzinibbio, had been replaced by technology.
“That’s when I got worried,” Santiago said. “I realized AI was already reaching sports and the Spanish-language commentary I work in.”
He also raised a question many fans may share: what happens to the emotion of live sports commentary? Comparing the passionate narration of a veteran broadcaster like Troy Santiago with the synthetic delivery of a machine highlights a major concern. While league executives may prioritize efficiency and cost savings, the impact on Spanish-speaking audiences remains uncertain.
Power Slap is a sanctioned slap-fighting league owned by Dana White, the CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In this combat sport, two competitors take turns delivering open-handed slaps to each other’s faces until one is knocked out or the match ends and is decided by judges.
White could potentially take the same approach with other Spanish-language broadcasts, including UFC events where Santiago has also worked, a possibility that the broadcaster says concerns him.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly moving from an experimental phase to a foundational one in the broadcasting industry. By early 2025, about 25% of broadcasters were already using AI tools, up from just 9% in 2024. While these systems streamline production and create new technical roles, they also contribute to the consolidation—or elimination—of traditional jobs, particularly at the entry level.
Radio DJs and voice talent are among the most affected roles due to advances in AI-driven voice synthesis and automated content programming. Some stations use synthetic voices for routine tasks such as weather updates or overnight announcements, but many industry professionals warn that removing the human element could alienate audiences.
In sports media, artificial intelligence is transforming broadcasting from a one-size-fits-all model into a highly personalized and data-driven experience. This shift can dramatically reduce production costs—some estimates suggest by as much as 67%—while increasing fan engagement through customized content and multilingual access.
AI platforms like ElevenLabs and Spalk allow real-time translation and overdubbing of commentary. This technology enables leagues such as La Liga or the Premier League to broadcast games in dozens of languages simultaneously without hiring local commentary teams in every market.
Although there is no widespread evidence as of early 2026 that AI is causing mass layoffs among high-profile sports commentators, the industry is clearly shifting toward automation that is displacing some traditional roles. Experts say AI is currently being used to supplement human talent rather than replace it entirely, but structural changes are already underway.
The move by Power Slap may simply be the beginning of a trend that could affect broadcasters like Troy Santiago—and many others—in the coming years.
Outside the sports industry, the broader job market is already feeling the impact of automation and technological change. U.S.-based tech employers announced more than 33,000 job cuts between January and February, a 51% increase compared with the same period the previous year, according to the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.
Workplace expert Andy Challenger, the firm’s chief revenue officer, said he used to doubt that companies could truly replace workers with artificial intelligence, but his view is starting to change.
“Artificial intelligence has overtaken the attention of these companies in such a dramatic way,” he said.
Roles involving data analysis, software development, customer service, clerical work, administrative support, paralegal tasks, and financial analysis are considered particularly exposed to automation.
Meanwhile, tech entrepreneur Jack Dorsey—co-founder of Twitter and founder of Block, Inc.—recently noted on X that modern AI tools and smaller teams are reshaping how companies operate.
“The intelligence tools we’re creating and using, paired with smaller and flatter teams, are enabling a new way of working which fundamentally changes what it means to build and run a company,” Dorsey wrote.
For sports broadcasters like Troy Santiago, the question now is not whether artificial intelligence will influence the future of commentary—but how far it will go.
