Bob Costas is heading back to where it all began.
NBC Sports is bringing the legendary broadcaster out of retirement to host its new Sunday Night Baseball pregame show, marking a major move as the network gears up for its first MLB season since 2000. Costas, a voice synonymous with the golden age of televised baseball, will lead coverage on NBC and Peacock, which are both set to play a significant role in MLB’s revamped national media landscape.
NBC’s new deal with Major League Baseball includes rights to Sunday Night Baseball, the return of Sunday Leadoff games on Peacock, and all four Wild Card Series in the postseason. It’s a bold swing for a network that’s been out of the baseball game for more than two decades, and bringing back Costas is a clear signal that they’re not just participating-they’re aiming to set the tone.
The season kicks off in style on March 26, when the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day-a game that will air on NBC. That’s when Costas officially returns to the NBC airwaves, anchoring the primetime pregame coverage.
“We’re excited that Bob has agreed to come home to NBC Sports,” said NBC Sports president Rick Cordella. “There is no more knowledgeable, authoritative and passionate voice on baseball than Bob Costas.”
It’s hard to argue with that. Costas’ resume speaks volumes: nearly 40 years with NBC, 15 of those as a key figure in their MLB broadcasts.
He earned the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2018, one of the highest honors in the sport for broadcasters.
He’s also a 29-time Sports Emmy winner, with a career that includes hosting duties for 12 Olympic Games, seven Super Bowls, 10 NBA Finals, and seven World Series-not to mention iconic events like the Kentucky Derby, the U.S. Open, and the 2015 Belmont Stakes.
“As appreciative as I am of other aspects of my career, especially HBO and the MLB Network, for 40 years, my true broadcasting home was NBC,” Costas said. “So many great moments, memories, and friendships. Now, I am very grateful to Rick Cordella and Sam Flood for inviting me back in an emeritus role to conclude my career where so much of it played out.”
NBC isn’t stopping with Costas. There are reports that longtime Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is nearing a deal to join NBCUniversal as a studio analyst for its MLB coverage this season. Kershaw, one of the most cerebral and accomplished pitchers of his generation, could bring a fresh, modern voice to the studio-pairing perfectly with Costas’ deep historical knowledge.
This all comes as Major League Baseball reshapes its media partnerships in a significant way. ESPN is holding onto a national midweek game package and has also picked up the rights to sell MLB.TV, the league’s out-of-market streaming service. NBC, meanwhile, has secured Sunday Night Baseball, the Wild Card Series, and Sunday Leadoff games.
Netflix is entering the baseball space as well, landing exclusive rights to the Home Run Derby, Opening Night, and other marquee events like the Field of Dreams game. It’s a first for the streaming giant and part of MLB’s broader strategy to diversify its media reach and tap into new audiences.
While the league is welcoming new partners, parts of the national TV landscape remain unchanged. But the return of NBC-and especially the return of Bob Costas-feels like a nostalgic yet forward-looking move. It blends history with a modern twist, and if the goal is to elevate the broadcast and bring gravitas to the coverage, Costas is the right man for the job.
Opening Day can’t come soon enough.