The Lipinski and Weir show is headed to the Olympic Closing Ceremony. In other news, longtime ESPN voice Mike Patrick is leaving the network, Mike Tirico will remain NBC’s primetime Olympic host for years to come, and former NBA player Steve Nash is reportedly joining Turner’s upcoming soccer coverage.
Lipinski and Weir Get Closing Ceremony Gig
NBC’s lead figure skating broadcast team of Terry Gannon, Tara Lipinski and Johnny Weir will host Sunday’s Winter Olympics Closing Ceremony, it was announced early Thursday. It will be the first Closing Ceremony assignment for all three.
NBC typically gets creative with its Closing Ceremony assignments. Four years ago, it used its Sunday Night Football team of Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. [NBC Sports PR 2.22]
Mike Patrick Ends ESPN Run
ESPN play-by-play voice Mike Patrick has left the network, it was announced Wednesday. Patrick, whose last game was the December 30 Liberty Bowl, had been with ESPN since 1982. He most recently covered college football and basketball games, but was ESPN’s lead NFL voice from 1987-2006.
Patrick made his final ESPN appearance Wednesday as a guest during the network’s Duke-Louisville college basketball telecast. He may not be gone from television for long. According to the New York Post, Patrick has not “necessarily” retired from broadcasting. [ESPN Front Row 2.21]
Tirico Primetime Olympic Host For Long Haul
NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus told Sports Illustrated Monday that primetime Olympic host Mike Tirico will remain in that position for the long haul. Lazarus: “This is not an audition. This is not a tryout. Mike is our primetime host. And I expect him to be our primetime host for many generations to come.” Tirico replaced Bob Costas as NBC’s primetime host this year. NBC has rights to every Olympics through 2032. [SI.com 2.19]
Report: Nash Headed to Turner For Soccer
Former NBA player Steve Nash is close to joining Turner Sports as a soccer studio analyst, the New York Post reported Wednesday. Turner acquired rights to the UEFA Champions League last year and will begin televising those matches next season. There is no plan yet for Nash to contribute to Turner’s NBA coverage. [NYP 2.21]
