NBC is making a triumphant return to Major League Baseball broadcasting, and the network is turning to one of the most iconic voices in sports history to anchor its coverage. In an announcement made on January 22, NBC revealed that Bob Costas, the legendary 73-year-old broadcaster, will take the helm as host of its new Sunday Night Baseball pregame show.
This decision represents a full-circle moment for Costas, who first became a national sensation as the voice of NBC's revered "Game of the Week" from 1982 through 1989. During that golden era of baseball broadcasting, Costas formed a memorable partnership with analyst Tony Kubek, while the legendary tandem of Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola handled the alternate broadcast team. His return to NBC for baseball coverage feels like a homecoming for fans who grew up listening to his distinctive voice on summer afternoons.
The move comes as NBC prepares to assume control of MLB's prestigious Sunday night television package following ESPN's remarkable 36-year run with the property. The network will kick off its coverage with a special Thursday night opener on March 26, featuring a marquee matchup between the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks—a team that has developed a compelling rivalry with the Dodgers in recent postseasons.
Flexible Broadcast Strategy
NBC's distribution plan for the MLB package will mirror its successful approach with NFL coverage, utilizing both traditional broadcast television and the Peacock streaming platform. However, the network will employ a flexible strategy to navigate scheduling conflicts. During periods when the NBA regular season winds down and the NFL season begins—creating overlap with MLB's summer schedule—games will primarily be available on Peacock. During the peak summer months, when baseball takes center stage, NBC will feature the games prominently on its main broadcast network.
In a statement released through NBC, Costas shared his personal feelings about returning to the network where he built his illustrious career. He characterized the opportunity as "an emeritus role to conclude my career where so much of it played out," highlighting the poetic symmetry of ending his broadcasting journey in the same place where so many of his most memorable moments occurred.
A Legacy of Excellence
Costas' association with NBC extends far beyond baseball and spans several decades of sports broadcasting excellence. In addition to his baseball work, he has served as a central figure in NBC's Olympic coverage, helping to host an astounding dozen Olympic Games. His versatility across different sports and his ability to handle both play-by-play and hosting duties have cemented his status as one of the most respected broadcasters in television history.
His connection to baseball never wavered after his initial NBC tenure. Costas has maintained a prominent role on MLB Network since its inception in 2009, where his deep knowledge and genuine passion for the sport have continued to shine. This ongoing involvement has kept him intimately connected to the modern game and its evolving storylines.
NBC Sports President Rick Cordella offered effusive praise for the veteran broadcaster in his official statement. Cordella asserted, "There is no more knowledgeable, authoritative and passionate voice on baseball than Bob Costas." This strong endorsement from the network's leadership underscores the immense value NBC places on Costas' credibility, expertise, and connection with the baseball audience.
Assembling the Broadcast Team
While landing Costas represents a significant victory for NBC, the network still faces the considerable challenge of building a complete broadcast team around him. According to reporting from The Athletic, NBC is actively pursuing additional talent to complement Costas' pregame hosting role.
The network has reportedly expressed interest in Dodgers superstar pitcher Clayton Kershaw for select studio appearances. Adding a future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young Award winner would bring invaluable on-field perspective and championship experience to the broadcast. Furthermore, NBC has identified Jason Benetti, the acclaimed play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Tigers, as a potential target for game-calling responsibilities.
These potential additions indicate NBC's commitment to creating a broadcast product that balances historical perspective with contemporary insight. The combination of Costas' storytelling ability, Kershaw's modern playing experience, and Benetti's dynamic play-by-play style could produce a compelling and informative viewing experience for baseball fans of all ages.
Broader Industry Implications
The return of Sunday Night Baseball to NBC carries substantial significance in the sports media landscape. ESPN's 36-year stewardship of the property established it as a broadcasting institution, creating high expectations for NBC's successor effort. By bringing Costas back into the NBC family, the network is making a definitive statement about its dedication to quality, tradition, and authentic baseball coverage.
For Costas, this role transcends a typical broadcasting assignment. At 73, with nothing left to prove and a legacy firmly established, he has chosen to return to the network and sport that helped define his career. His characterization of the position as an "emeritus role" suggests he's viewing this as a final chapter—a victory lap that allows him to celebrate the game he loves while passing the torch to a new generation.
The timing proves particularly noteworthy as Major League Baseball continues to adapt to evolving viewership patterns and increased competition from other sports and entertainment options. In an era of fragmented media consumption, having a trusted, familiar voice like Costas leading the presentation could prove invaluable in attracting both die-hard baseball fans and casual viewers who recognize his iconic status.
What Lies Ahead
As the March 26 debut approaches, baseball enthusiasts will be watching with great interest to see how NBC's vision for Sunday Night Baseball materializes. The Dodgers-Diamondbacks matchup provides an ideal showcase, featuring baseball's defending champions against a hungry division rival with recent postseason history.
The ultimate success of NBC's MLB investment will hinge on numerous factors: the quality of weekly matchups, the on-air chemistry of the broadcast team, the technical quality of the productions, and the strategic deployment of both broadcast and streaming platforms. However, by securing Bob Costas as the face of its pregame coverage, NBC has already accomplished perhaps the most critical objective—establishing immediate credibility and forging a connection with baseball's rich broadcasting tradition.
For the generation of fans who grew up listening to Costas describe the action on Saturday afternoons, his return to NBC for Sunday nights will evoke powerful memories and a sense of continuity. For younger viewers, it presents a unique opportunity to experience one of the true masters of sports broadcasting. And for Costas himself, it offers a chance to author the final pages of an extraordinary career in the very place where so many of the early chapters were written.