Former NBC Sports host Bob Costas has joined CNN as a contributor, it was announced Monday.
Costas will serve as a commentator on sports-related issues, in particular the industry’s response to pandemic-related challenges and the intersection of sports and social issues. There is no indication that his new role will affect his current position as a play-by-play voice for MLB Network.
During his NBC tenure, which ended under some acrimony in 2018, Costas often appeared on NBC News programming to discuss sports issues that entered the national conversation. He notably conducted an interview with Jerry Sandusky on NBC’s “Rock Center” in 2011.
Costas’ move to CNN does not appear to include any position with WarnerMedia sibling Turner Sports. When he last worked for then-Time Warner — as an HBO talk show host from 2001-09 — he had no role on any Turner Sports programming.
Costas is the second sports figure to join CNN this year. The network hired New Orleans Saints S Malcolm Jenkins as a contributor in May.
CNN last made an investment in sports coverage seven years ago, hiring away Rachel Nichols from ESPN. Nichols hosted her own show and served as a contributor on CNN platforms before returning to ESPN in 2016.
Of note, Costas is no stranger to CNN president and WarnerMedia sports chair Jeff Zucker, having overlapped with him at NBC for many years.
[News from CNN PR 7.20]
