TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay sports fans know Greg Wolf as the in-game host of the Lightning at Benchmark International Arena, USF football at Raymond James Stadium, Bulls hoops at the Yuengling Center and Sun soccer at Suncoast Credit Union Field.
As impressive as that lineup is, the USF grad’s clear-as-a-bell voice is not limited to radiating around the aforementioned venues. Far from it. In fact, Wolf is part of the global stage at the World Cup. Specifically, 88,000-seat Azteca Stadium (Estadio Banorte) in Mexico City where he did the opening match between Mexico and South Africa last Thursday and will continue to be heard loud and proud – along with co-host and Costa Rican media personality, Rose Davis — through the July 5 round of 16.
“Number one, it is a tremendous honor to be part of this,” Wolf told the Tampa Free Press from Mexico City on Monday. “Number two, to be in one of the most historic (soccer) stadiums on the globe is pretty remarkable. We certainly know the mystique of this stadium.”
Wolf certainly knows the venue’s history as he rattled off such headline-grabbing moments as Pele hoisting the championship trophy for the final time in 1970 and Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal in 1986.
“This is one of those opportunities that I could not pass up because it only comes around so often,” he said.
The seeds were planted in late March when production firm RWS Global initially contacted Wolf to gauge his interest, not that he needed his arm twisted. While there was potential conflict had the Lightning advanced to the Stanley Cup final, the team was very supportive of Wolf pursuing the opportunity.
Ultimately, the many details of his assignment became clear and he arrived in Mexico City on June 5. A bevy of curtain-rising moments last Thursday with the initial match, the opening ceremonies and the musical performances proved to be the summit of Wolf’s career. At least emotionally.
“It is very difficult to put into the words how much it means to me,” he said. “I would be remiss to say I did not tear up a little bit because it’s the culmination of all of your hard work. The blood, sweat and tears that you put into your career has lifted you to the peak of the mountain and the biggest sporting event on the planet. It’s humbling and it’s emotional. It’s an experience of a lifetime.”
READ: How To Watch The 104-Game 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Marathon
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