Deadline has reported that Bob Costas is working on exiting NBC Sports. Costas has been with the network since 1979. Costas has been holding discussions with his reps and NBC, hoping to be let out of his contract, which is set to run through 2021.
USA Today has said that NBC is not commenting on the possible departure of Costas. He has not publicly spoken on the specifics but has said that for a long period of time NBC's programming suited his interests and abilities, but now what he once considered a perfect fit, no longer fits him.
Bob Costas considering his own show
It's rumored that he wants to start a journalism show that includes strong interviews and commentaries, which may go beyond sports. This is the type of show that might draw the attention of HBO, Showtime or the streaming giants Amazon or Netflix which has struggled when it comes to talk shows.
He has often offered up critical commentary. At the University of Maryland in 2017, he said that the reality is football destroys people's brains. Costas' criticism comes as the NFL's popularity continues to decline. The NFL is a strong business partner with NBC on Sunday Night Football, which has become one of the top-rated programs in prime time.
Costas say he has a great deal of mutual appreciation for NBC and all that he was a part of for nearly 40 years.
He is currently in a multi-million dollar contract. Bob Costas has earned 28 Emmy Awards for his journalism work and has become one of the most resepcted and honored broadcasters of his time. He's handled a variety of positions including play-by-play announcer, studio host and reporter.
Bob Costas has had a lengthy career with NBC
Costas has been face of several major sporting events over the span of his career, including the World Series, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. Last year, Costas announced he would no longer be NBC's primetime host for the Olympics and tapped Mike Tirico as his replacement at the PyeongChang games.
Costas has also been the news reporter for several major news events in the sports world including the passing of Muhammad Ali.
While Mike Tirico has taken over the Olympic coverage, Costas has remained at NBC Sports and NBC News. Costas was host for six NBC Super Bowls, including Super Bowl XLIX, which became the most-watched program in American television history. Sports Illustrated highlighted that last season was Bob Costas' first absence from NBC's "Sunday Night Football" program. While no deal has been made, Costas and NBC are continuing to discuss an exit from the contract.
