Bob Costas is stepping down as primetime host of NBC Sports Group's Olympic coverage, ending a record-setting run that saw him host 11 Games for the network since '92. Mike Tirico will replace Costas as the net's full-time primetime host starting with next year's PyeongChang Games. “This is a great way to pass the torch from one iconic figure to someone who’s on his way to becoming an iconic figure in the sports broadcasting world,” said NBC Broadcasting & Sports Chair Mark Lazarus. The change means Costas is unlikely to travel to future Olympics, though he may produce some pieces and provide voice-overs for some stories. Costas also will stop hosting “Sunday Night Football,” which he has been doing from the stadium. He still will be part of NBC's Triple Crown coverage and will be used around bigger NFL events like the playoffs and Super Bowl. “He’ll have an on-going role around our big and iconic events,” Lazarus said. “But in terms of day-to-day, he’s taking a step back as he heads towards slowing down his trajectory with us.”
LONG TIME COMING: Lazarus said Costas first brought up the idea of stepping down from the host role during his contract negotiations in '12. At that point, according to Lazarus, Costas said, "I’m good to go through Sochi and Rio and do everything that I’ve been doing. After Rio, let’s reassess." Fast forward to early in the fall before an "SNF" telecast this season, Costas told Lazarus that he had decided to pass the torch. “I said, ‘Are you sure? Why don't you think about it a little bit,’” Lazarus said. “He thought about it for another couple of weeks. We sat down again, and he said, ‘Yeah, that’s what I want to do.’” It did not take long for Lazarus, NBC Olympics Exec Producer Jim Bell and NBC Sports Exec Producer Sam Flood to settle on Tirico as Costas’ replacement. NBC hired Tirico from ESPN in July. He almost immediately traveled to Rio to help host some of NBC’s coverage. “It was always something we contemplated when we hired Mike,” Lazarus said. “After getting to know him and his work a little closer, it became clear to us that he was the guy. It wasn't a difficult decision at all. We didn't wrestle with it or contemplate it very long."
LIFETIME MEMORIES: Costas appeared on NBC's "Today" show this morning and said of stepping away from Olympic coverage, “I'm going to be, like the rest of the country, watching Mike Tirico, who will be an able successor.” NBC’s Matt Lauer said, "After one of the great runs in sports history. Can I just say that? ... Literally no one’s ever done it better than you." Costas: “Well you have to mention Jim McKay. ... There's 1 and 1A, and I think I'm 1A, because Jim McKay invented the role and distinguished himself so much. But I was lucky, not just to be surrounded by so many terrific colleagues, but we kept getting the rights to it.” Costas said of his favorite Olympic memory, “There are so many. I could pick two dozen and any one would be legitimate, but I always go with Muhammad Ali lighting the torch in 1996 in Atlanta, because it stands alone. ... I get goosebumps talking about it now.” Costas said of his new role with NBC, "They've been kind enough to call it the ‘Brokaw phase’ of my career. So I'll be to sports what Tom has been for the last several years to news. I'll show up when it's appropriate for me to show up." Tirico said of what he is looking forward to in taking over the lead Olympic role, “The continued experience of meeting the people, telling the stories and connecting everyone because we're such a (divisive), individual world and I noticed with the Olympics, it brings everyone together. In the country, around the world. So to be part of that, it will be great."
