NBC Breaking "SNF," Olympics Ads During U.S. Open Coverage

By John Ourand, Staff Writer

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NBC is breaking four promotional spots during its U.S. Open coverage this weekend to hype its "Sunday Night Football" and '10 Vancouver Games coverage. Three of the four spots have a Father's Day theme; Father's Day is Sunday. "The bond between fathers and sons is special," said NBC VP/Marketing, Promotions & Communications Mike McCarley. "The relationship is celebrated on Father's Day but it's a theme that exists each time families gather to watch major sports events." The two football spots star "SNF" announcers Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. One has Collinsworth talking about growing up and watching games with his dad. The spot ends with Michaels saying, "Sunday night..." and Collinsworth adding "...is football night." A voice over then says, "Happy Father's Day. See you Sunday nights this fall." The other is a comedic spot where Collinsworth visits Michaels' house, wanting to practice for the upcoming season. They wind up practicing from a booth that Michaels has in his living room. One of the Olympic spots features Gold Medal-winning short-track speedskater Apolo Ohno talking about how his father helped guide him to an Olympic career. The spot ends with on-screen words saying "Father Knows Best," as Ohno says "Apolo Ohno. Short-track speedskating," followed by NBC's Olympic logo. The other Olympic spot stars snowboarder Shaun White talking about the emotion of having his parents in the front row as he accepted a Gold Medal during the '06 Turin Games. The spot ends with White saying, "Shaun White. Snowboarding," followed by NBC's Olympic logo.