Legendary Broadcaster Bob Costas Is Returning To NBC Sports
After a few years in the wilderness, Bob Costas is going back to where he belongs. NBC Sports announced on Thursday that the legendary broadcaster is returning to the network that made him a household name. He isn’t coming back to anchor the Olympics or preside over the NFL, but he is returning to his first true love: Baseball.
Starting March 26, 2026, Costas will host the pregame show for Sunday Night Baseball on NBC and Peacock. It kicks off at Dodger Stadium for an Opening Day primetime clash between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks.
A Grace Note For a Broadcasting Legend
If you grew up watching sports in the 80s or 90s, Costas wasn’t just a narrator; he was the soundtrack. Whether it was the NBA on NBC, the Olympics, or the NFL, he was the guy setting the stage. But baseball was different. Costas didn’t just broadcast baseball; he revered it. He carried a Mickey Mantle baseball card in his wallet for years.
That’s why his exit from NBC in 2019 felt so discordant. It wasn’t a clean break. It was messy. Costas had grown increasingly vocal about issues like CTE in football and the political entanglements of the IOC. As he told the Sports Media Watch podcast recently, things got “sideways.” It was a relationship that spanned nearly 40 years ending with a whimper rather than a bang.
Costas admitted he was looking for a “grace note” to end his tenure. He didn’t get it then. He’s getting it now.
Calling this an “emeritus role,” a phrase used in the official announcement, is a perfect bit of corporate phrasing. It sounds academic, dignified, and slightly like something you’d see on a plaque. But it fits. At 73 years old, Costas doesn’t need to be grinding out play-by-play in the middle of August. He needs to be a statesman. He needs to be the guy framing the narrative before the first pitch is thrown.
Rebuilding the Bridge To 30 Rock
The reconciliation has been brewing for a while. You might have caught his voice narrating NBA teases recently, or seen him pop up during the Paris Olympics coverage. It felt like two exes testing the waters, seeing if they could be friends again.
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella put it best in the press release, saying, “There is no more knowledgeable, authoritative, and passionate voice on baseball than Bob Costas.”
In an era of hot takes and screaming heads, Costas brings a level of context and history that is sorely missing. When he speaks about the game, you don’t just learn what’s happening; you learn where it fits in the timeline of the sport.
“For 40 years, my true broadcasting home was NBC,” Costas said in a statement. “So many great moments, memories, and friendships. Now, I am very grateful… for inviting me back in an emeritus role to conclude my career where so much of it played out.”
What To Expect From the New Show
So, what does version 2.0 of Costas on NBC look like? Don’t expect him to be calling balls and strikes. This is a studio gig. He’ll be setting the table for Sunday Night Baseball, which NBC recently acquired rights to after ESPN’s long run. It’s a major shift in the sports media landscape. NBC is trying to build a new baseball infrastructure, reportedly eyeing big names like Clayton Kershaw for analysis and Jason Benetti for play-by-play.
But securing Costas gives the broadcast instant credibility. It’s a signal to fans that NBC takes this seriously. They aren’t just buying the rights; they are buying the heritage.
He will also continue to contribute to the NBA on NBC coverage as the season progresses. It’s a full-circle moment for a guy who was synonymous with Michael Jordan’s championship runs.
The Final Inning
There is something comforting about seeing the Peacock logo next to Costas’ name. It’s like seeing Derek Jeter at Yankee Stadium or hearing Vin Scully’s voice in a highlight reel. Some things just go together.
The exit in 2019 left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. It felt unresolved, a jagged end to a smooth career. This return fixes that. It allows Costas to take a victory lap, to offer his insights on the game he loves, and to say goodbye to the audience on the network that built him.
