LOS ANGELES (AP) — Bob Costas, who stepped down as NBC’s prime-time Olympics host two years ago, has left the network’s sports division altogether.
NBC Sports said Wednesday that Costas parted ways with his longtime employer, providing no further details.
Sandy Montag, Costas’ manager, said it was handled smoothly.
“Everything in this transition was planned and done (by) mutual agreement,” Montag said in an emailed statement. He said Costas had a “great partnership” with executives including Dick Ebersol and Mark Lazarus, the current NBC Broadcasting & Sports chairman.
Costas, 66, served as the emcee for NBC’s Olympics 11 times starting in 1992. In early 2017, he stepped aside for network newcomer Mike Tirico, formerly with ESPN.
When the switch was announced in early 2017, Costas said he had decided on his own that the time was right for a change. He said then he wanted to do long-form programming and commentary on special events, likening his new role to what former NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw does for the network.
On Tuesday, Costas told the New York Post of his decision to leave NBC Sports, saying his departure was settled “quietly and happily for all concerned.”
In August 2018, the paper reported that he was no longer satisfied with his role at NBC and a contract that limited his participation in other projects.
Costas, who joined NBC Sports in 1979, has covered baseball, football and basketball and horse racing as well as served as the face and voice of the Olympics.
He plans to continue working on the MLB Network and is interested in doing an interview show focusing on sports and news, the Post said.
“In addition to MLB Network, Bob certainly has a next chapter in his career and we look forward to developing those possibilities,” Montag said.
I liked him. I hope he isn’t leaving due to some hidden scandal that has yet to be revealed or that he has some illness he doesn’t want to share. He had a nice ride for the most part. “Up Close and Personal” however started to get a little stale after awhile as evidenced by the flashy graphics and video packages to sell the bit, but he did know his Olympic history frontwards and back, which I always appreciated.
Anyway…moving on.
Sadly I’m guessing hidden scandal.
Edit: I don’t usually bitch about what articles TPM posts, but this is an interesting one for a political site to post.
He had a good run and, at 66, he’s ripe for retirement.
I can see someone maybe hiring him as a consultant in a bit, but for now, enjoy.
I’ll miss his dulcet tones.
I think the NFL freaked out when BC said something about the their sport destroying brains. I think his relationship with NBC started to fray at that point. He is one of the best.