Reports: NBC Sports Announcer Bob Costas in Talks to Leave Network

Longtime NBC Sports announcer Bob Costas in reportedly in talks to leave the network, USA Today reports. A source told the newspaper that Costas and his representatives have been in discussions that could potentially result in the sports announcer being let out of his contract—which allegedly lasts until 2021. “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,” Costas said. “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 New York Post reported earlier that Costas was looking to “pursue a journalism show that would feature interviews, commentaries and a critical look at the world of sports and perhaps other topics.” The 66-year-old Costas has worked at NBC since 1979, headlining the announcing for many Olympics, World Series, and Super Bowls throughout the years. He has recently taken a more subdued role, only sitting in front of the camera for major events like the death boxing legend Muhammad Ali. He told USA Today that he has “a great deal of mutual appreciation for everything that I was a part of at NBC for nearly 40 years.”