NFL Quarterback Sam Hartman To Headline ‘The Bachelor’ For Season 30 On ABC

ABC has named the Bachelor for the upcoming 30th season of the reality series. Sam Hartman, a 27-year-old pro athlete playing for the NFL’s Washington Commanders, will be searching for love in the new installment, which premieres on Sunday, March 21 at 8 p.m. on ABC and streams next day on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S.

A Charlotte, North Carolina, native, Hartman played for Wake Forest and Notre Dame, where he set ACC records, including most career touchdown passes and 300-yard passing games, and was featured in the documentary series QB1: Beyond the Lights.

He signed with the Washington Commanders as an undrafted free agent in 2024 and serves as a quarterback on their practice squad.

Hartman is the latest professional athlete recruited for The Bachelor, following former NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer who headlined Season 5, former soccer player Juan Pablo Galavis (Season 18), former race car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. (Season 22) and former NFL practice squad player Colton Underwood (Season 23).

The Bachelor returns for its 30th edition after skipping the 2025-26 season on a new night, Sunday, shifting back to a late midseason premiere. The reality competition had aired on Mondays for its entire run to date, launching in January for its last 18 seasons.

Produced by Warner Horizon Unscripted Television, a Warner Bros. Television Group company, The Bachelor is executive produced by Scott Teti, Jason Ehrlich and Andy Frank serve as executive producers.