Updated Jan. 22, 2026, 11:49 a.m. ET
Costas Returns to NBC Baseball Booth After ESPN’s Run Ends
Table of Contents
Bob Costas,the iconic voice of baseball,is heading back to NBC to host pregame coverage as the network takes over Sunday Night Baseball.
- NBC is reclaiming national MLB broadcasts after a 36-year run by ESPN.
- Bob Costas, 73, will host the pregame show and contribute to NBA coverage.
- The new MLB schedule on NBC begins March 26 with a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks.
- NBC is exploring potential hires, including Clayton Kershaw and Jason Benetti, to build out its broadcast team.
Baseball fans will hear a familiar voice calling the action again. Bob Costas,73,will host the pregame show for NBC’s new Sunday Night Baseball coverage,the network announced Jan. 22. This marks a return to the network where Costas first rose to prominence, captivating audiences during his tenure on “Game of the Week” in the 1980s.
A New Era for Sunday Night Baseball
NBC’s acquisition of the MLB’s Sunday night package signals a notable shift in the broadcasting landscape after ESPN’s 36-year reign. The network will debut its coverage with a Thursday night matchup on March 26, featuring a compelling contest between the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. While many games will stream on Peacock,NBC plans to air broadcasts throughout the summer months.
What is Bob Costas’ role with NBC? Costas will not only host the pregame show but also contribute to NBC’s NBA coverage, described as “an emeritus role to conclude my career where so much of it played out,” according to a statement released by NBC.
Costas’ broadcasting career is legendary. He partnered with Tony Kubek on NBC’s “game of the Week” from 1982-89, alongside broadcasting stalwarts Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola. He later returned to baseball in the mid-1990s when NBC regained broadcast rights after a period with CBS. beyond baseball, Costas has hosted a dozen Olympic Games and has been a fixture at MLB Network as its launch in 2009.
“There is no more knowledgeable,authoritative and passionate voice on baseball than Bob Costas,” said Rick Cordella,president of NBC Sports,in a statement.
Building the broadcast Team
NBC is actively working to assemble a full broadcast team for its MLB coverage. Acco
