On September 7, 2025, as the Baltimore Ravens faced the Buffalo Bills in the NFL’s season opener, an electrifying roar filled living rooms across America. It wasn’t just the anticipation of bone-crunching tackles or the thrill of a primetime showdown—it was Carrie Underwood’s unmistakable voice belting out “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night,” the iconic anthem that has opened NBC’s Sunday Night Football (SNF) for 13 consecutive years. For over a decade, the Grammy-winning country superstar has transformed the pre-game ritual into a high-octane spectacle of adrenaline, star power, and stadium-sized excitement. With a revamped performance filmed at Las Vegas’ Resorts World Theatre, Underwood’s 2025 rendition proved once again that no matter how the matchups change, her reign as the undisputed queen of primetime sports music remains untouchable.
A New Sound for a Milestone Season
Underwood’s 13th season with Sunday Night Football kicked off with a bold reimagining of the anthem, a reworking of Joan Jett’s “I Hate Myself for Loving You” that she first recorded for NBC in 2013. Creative director Tripp Dixon, speaking to Billboard, explained the vision for the 20th season of SNF: “We wanted to set the tone by reimagining the anthem sound in a way that plays to Carrie’s powerhouse vocals, while visually creating a seamless blend of stylized shots and behind-the-scenes moments evoking the national roadshow that is Sunday Night Football.” The result was a chorus-led arrangement, a departure from past versions that built gradually to the hook, designed to grab viewers instantly and mirror the intensity of the gridiron.
Filmed at Resorts World Theatre, where Underwood wrapped her Reflection residency in April 2025, the opening sequence was a visual feast. Underwood strutted onto a stage transformed to evoke Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, flanked by 50 extras and the Raiderettes cheer squad. “We had a blast shooting the new opening,” Underwood said in a statement. “Tripp and the creative team continue to raise the bar, bringing the high energy and stunning visuals that the Sunday Night Football audience has come to expect.” Dressed in a bedazzled jacket emblazoned with her name, she wielded an electric guitar, a nod to the rock roots of the anthem, as pyrotechnics and crowd shots amplified the excitement. Fans on X raved about the revamp, with one posting, “Carrie’s SNF opener is pure fire! That chorus hits like a touchdown!”
A Journey from American Idol to NFL Royalty
Underwood’s journey to becoming the voice of Sunday Night Football is a story of grit and destiny. After winning American Idol in 2005, she initially turned down NBC’s offer to sing the SNF theme in 2006, citing the whirlwind of her early career. “At that time in my life, there was so much going on,” she told Yahoo. But in 2013, when executive producer Fred Gaudelli approached her again, showing her demographic data proving her appeal to NFL fans, she jumped at the chance. Taking over from Faith Hill, who held the role for six years, and Pink, who opened the inaugural 2006 season, Underwood made the anthem her own.
Since then, she’s recorded multiple versions of the theme, experimenting with “Oh, Sunday Night” in 2014 and “Game On” in 2018 before returning to “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” in 2019. Her ability to keep the performance fresh, with input on everything from the song’s arrangement to her wardrobe, has cemented her status. “We try to stay neutral with colors to avoid looking like I’m rooting for a team,” she told Country Rebel, noting the challenge of navigating the NFL’s color-coded fandoms. Her stylist’s creative choices—think metallics and bold patterns—have become as much a part of the ritual as her soaring vocals.
Underwood’s connection to football runs deeper than the anthem. Growing up in Oklahoma, she watched games on Sundays with her family, a tradition she now shares with her sons, Isaiah and Jacob, and husband, former NHL player Mike Fisher. “Football was always on,” she told Yahoo Entertainment. “To grace the screen that’s been woven into my family memories is nothing short of special.” Her authenticity resonates with fans, who see her as both a superstar and a relatable Midwesterner.
A Nashville-Backed Production
While Underwood’s voice is the heart of the SNF opener, the production is a Nashville powerhouse. Producer Chris DeStefano, known for co-writing Underwood hits like “Good Girl” and “Somethin’ Bad,” has helmed the music since 2016, recording at Soultrain Sound Studios with Music City’s top session players, including drummer Nir Z and guitarist Rob McNelley. DeStefano’s 2025 demo, crafted as early as January, restructured the anthem to lead with the chorus, a move he proposed to heighten its impact. “It’s got to make people turn their heads, even in a loud bar,” he told Billboard.
The recording process is a marathon. Underwood lays down a main version of the song, then records countless variations to cover every possible team matchup for the regular season and playoffs. “It’s like three typed pages,” DeStefano said, describing the script’s complexity. In a 2023 Today interview, Underwood explained, “I sing every possible combination of teams that could maybe play each other.” This meticulous approach ensures no midseason overdubs are needed, even when games are flexed, keeping the broadcast seamless.
Fan Frenzy and Mixed Reactions
Underwood’s return for her 13th season sparked a frenzy among fans, with social media buzzing after NBC’s July 30 announcement. “Carrie Underwood singing the Sunday Night Football song. We are so back baby,” one X user posted. Another called it “the greatest theme song in sports,” echoing a sentiment shared across platforms. Her performance during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on July 31, pitting the Los Angeles Chargers against the Detroit Lions, offered a sneak peek that sent viewership soaring, with NBC reporting a 10% uptick in ratings compared to 2024.
Not all reactions were glowing, however. Some fans on Reddit and X expressed fatigue with Underwood’s long tenure, with one user commenting, “Boring…Mix it up little. Damn.” Another suggested it was “time to move on to someone who is actually relevant.” Critics argued the NFL could diversify the opener with a non-country artist, citing the decade-long run of Hank Williams Jr. on Monday Night Football as a precedent for change. Yet, defenders countered that Underwood’s broad appeal, bolstered by her Vegas residency and American Idol judging stint, keeps her relevant. “She’s popular enough to sell out arenas,” one Reddit user noted.
A Lucrative Legacy
Rumors about Underwood’s earnings have swirled, with some outlets claiming she earns $1 million per week, totaling $18 million for the 18-week season. Underwood debunked this in an interview with MEAWW, laughing, “No, I wish! The Google steered you wrong there!” While her actual paycheck remains undisclosed, her net worth, estimated at $140 million, reflects income from albums, tours, her Fit52 app, and endorsements. The SNF gig, while lucrative, is also a platform that keeps her in front of 20 million viewers weekly, a demographic NBC values for its commercial slots.
Her impact extends beyond dollars. Underwood’s anthem has become synonymous with the NFL, as integral as tailgating or fantasy drafts. “It’s like the curtains rising moment,” creative director Tripp Dixon told American Songwriter. Fans associate her voice with the thrill of Sunday nights, with one X user joking, “I hear Carrie and get flashbacks of ‘Do I have homework due Monday?’” Her absence during the 2024 playoffs, when SNF doesn’t air the theme, left fans noticeably disappointed, with posts like “It’s not Sunday night without Carrie” flooding social media.
A Cultural Touchstone
Underwood’s 13-year run is a testament to her vocal prowess and cultural staying power. As she balances SNF with her American Idol judging role alongside Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie, and plans for a 2026 tour, her star shows no signs of dimming. Her past performances, like a 2019 Ozzy Osbourne cover that resurfaced after his final show, highlight her versatility, earning praise from rock and country fans alike.
The 2025 season opener, with its revamped anthem and dazzling visuals, reaffirmed Underwood’s dominance. As the Ravens-Bills game unfolded, her voice set the tone for a season of hard hits and unforgettable moments. “Carrie’s SNF opener is the spark that lights the fuse,” one fan posted on Threads. Whether she’s strumming a guitar or hitting a high note, Underwood remains the heartbeat of Sunday Night Football, proving that in the ever-changing world of sports, her reign is untouchable.
