Kirk Herbstreit is coming to Birmingham this fall, bringing one of college football’s most recognizable voices and his fan-favorite golden retriever, Peter, to the Business Council of Alabama’s annual Business Dinner.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit will headline the Business Council of Alabama’s 2026 Business Dinner on Oct. 21 at the Renaissance Birmingham Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa. Herbstreit will also be joined by Peter, his golden retriever who has become a familiar presence alongside him during football season.
BCA says Herbstreit will share his perspective on leadership and success during the annual event, which brings together business and government leaders from across Alabama. The dinner also supports ProgressPAC, BCA’s political action committee.
Herbstreit arrives in Birmingham during a milestone season of his broadcasting career.
The former Ohio State quarterback is celebrating 30 years on ESPN’s College GameDay, which he joined in 1996. He has served as ESPN and ABC’s lead college football game analyst since 2006 and currently works alongside Chris Fowler and Holly Rowe on the network’s top college football broadcast team.
Herbstreit has also worked alongside Al Michaels on Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football since 2022. He has won five individual Sports Emmy Awards across studio and game coverage, the most for an on-air commentator in ESPN history.
His 2026 season marks three decades since his first College GameDay appearance, as the show itself celebrates its 40th season.
Peter has meanwhile developed his own following through appearances alongside Herbstreit as he travels between college and NFL assignments, and BCA is billing the golden retriever as part of Herbstreit’s Birmingham appearance.
The Business Dinner is one of BCA’s signature annual events. This year’s gathering is scheduled for Oct. 21 at Ross Bridge, with sponsorship opportunities currently available through ProgressPAC.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
