Costas has worked at NBC since '79 in starring roles as lead announcer at the Olympics and Super BowlsGETTY IMAGES
Bob Costas, his reps and NBC have "held discussions that could result in the longtime face of NBC Sports being let out of a contract" that currently runs through '21, according to sources cited by Brady & Perez of USA TODAY. Costas said, "There was a very long period of time when NBC's programming suited my interests and abilities very well, from (late-night talk show) 'Later', to the news magazines, to baseball, the NBA and the Olympics. And after deciding on my own to leave the Olympics after having done a dozen of them, you just look around and say, 'What was once a perfect fit no longer fits that description.'" The 66-year-old Costas has worked at NBC since '79 in "starring roles as lead announcer on the Olympics, World Series and Super Bowls." He more recently "took on a sort of emeritus role at NBC Sports ... where he is on air mainly for major news events, such as the death of Muhammad Ali" (USATODAY.com, 8/28).
LONG TIME COMING: In N.Y., Andrew Marchand wrote "no broadcaster has probably been more associated with one network" than Costas has with NBC. Costas "wants to pursue a journalism show that would feature interviews, commentaries and a critical look at the world of sports and perhaps other topics." NBC "rarely utilizes Costas on-air after he stepped away from his last major roles on the Olympics and the NFL." Costas said, "Sometimes you get to a point where it is not a fit anymore. It doesn't mean that anyone is angry or upset." Marchand noted both sides are "willing to talk about the terms that could lead to a buyout." NBC is currently paying Costas "seven figures per year." Costas' agent Sandy Montag and NBC execs "already have exchanged ideas and have meetings planned in the near future" for a potential buyout. Either way, Costas will "continue his work with MLB Network" (NYPOST.com, 8/28).
NO SHORTAGE OF SUITORS: AWFUL ANNOUNCING's Sean Keeley wrote if the Costas-NBC breakup "does become official, the big question becomes where Costas will land." Given his feelings on football, it "stands to reason he wouldn't want to do business with ESPN or Fox Sports, both of whom are cozied up to the NFL and NCAA; not to mention they probably wouldn't want to see him continue to work with MLB Network." However, if they "ponied up the money and let him focus on whatever he wanted, that could provide some room for more ambivalence." Perhaps a return to HBO or a deal with Showtime "makes more sense given Costas' apparent interest in a Real Sports-style program." Meanwhile, Netflix, Amazon and even Facebook "could throw gobs of money at Costas to let him do whatever he wanted." At this point in his career, that "might be exactly what he's looking for" (AWFULANNOUNCING.com, 8/28).
