Sportscasting Legend Bob Costas Joins CNN as Contributor

After nearly four decades at NBC, Bob Costas is joining another three-letter network: CNN.

Costas, who was at NBC Sports from 1980-2019, is joining CNN as a contributor and will discuss news and issues related to sports.

“CNN’s willingness to devote time and attention to sports-related topics, makes it a good fit for me,” Costas said.

The timing of the move makes sense as MLB is set to start its season this week and will shortly be followed by the NBA and NHL resuming play.

“Bob Costas is a legendary, respected voice across the spectrum of sports and beyond,” CNN president and WarnerMedia news and sports chairman Jeff Zucker, who worked with Costas at NBC, said in a statement. “As the world continues to change amid the coronavirus pandemic, we are confident that Bob’s insightful analysis will help our viewers better understand what the future holds as the sports and teams we love evolve to meet this moment.”

The 68-year-old was a mainstay during NBC’s Olympic coverage for years and also regularly worked Super Bowls, the World Series and the NBA finals. A winner of 28 Sports Emmys, Costas was elected to the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Baseball Hall of Fame (as a broadcaster) in 2018.

Costas was eventually removed from the NBC Sports broadcasting team after he criticized football at a journalism symposium in November 2017, ending his remarks by saying the “game destroys people’s brains — not everyone’s, but a substantial number.”

“I decided long ago that I had misgivings about football, and I tried to use the forum they gave me to make those points,” Costas subsequently told ESPN. “They gave me bits and pieces, but eventually they took those bits and pieces away from me.”

In a statement to ESPN, NBC said Costas had mischaracterized private interactions and conversations.

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