Bob Costas returns to NBC after 39-year legacy to host Sunday Night Baseball pregame show

Bob Costas coming back to NBC isn't just about reuniting. It's a reminder that certain voices continue to hold significance even after the spotlight moves on. As NBC shapes its new MLB Sunday night brand, Costas serves as a link between baseball's past and its potential future. His career has been involved in almost every major event in the sport, but his viewpoint now has a different significance.

Costas has shifted his focus from calling every pitch to shaping conversations, challenging traditional formats, and adding credibility to a network that wants to make a difference. His return may be more subdued than before, but it’s still significant. In a sport that’s always trying to juggle tradition and innovation, Costas’ involvement brings baseball into a wider, more reflective perspective.

Bob Costas 39 year run at NBC from 1980 to 2019 across baseball

Costas started with NBC in 1980 and stayed until 2019, racking up a solid 39 years packed with significant events. He was the play-by-play announcer and host for NBC's MLB coverage over 15 seasons from 1982-89 and 1994-2000. During this time, he worked alongside analyst Tony Kubek on the 'Game-of-the-Week' broadcasts, did play-by-play for the American League Championship Series in 1983, 1985, 1987, and 1989, and hosted pregame shows for the All-Star Game and World Series in several years.


Costas made his TV debut for the World Series in 1995, teaming up with analysts Joe Morgan and Bob Uecker for Games 2, 3, and 6. He then provided complete coverage of the 1997 World Series. In addition, he covered the 1998 ALCS, the 1999 NLCS and World Series, the 2000 ALCS, and the 2000 All-Star Game, working alongside Morgan.

Outside of baseball, Costas hosted 12 Olympic Games, which included a U.S. TV-record 11 primetime gigs, seven Super Bowls, 10 NBA Finals, and a total of seven World Series. He served as both host and play-by-play announcer for all 12 seasons of NBC's NBA coverage from 1990 to 2002.

His range of skills covered events such as the Kentucky Derby, U.S. Open, and the 2015 Belmont Stakes.

Costas has bagged 29 Sports Emmy Awards, making him the only broadcaster to clinch wins in sports, news, and entertainment categories, with accolades for play-by-play, hosting, interviewing, writing, feature reporting, and commentary.

In 2018, he was honored with the Baseball Hall of Fame's Ford C. Frick Award for his outstanding broadcasting.

Bob Costas’ recent career moves and retirement

After departing from NBC in 2019, Costas became part of MLB Network right from its launch in 2009, serving as a host and play-by-play announcer. He played a role in covering postseason games for both the network and Turner Sports. Costas called games for TBS and was involved in MLB Network's coverage of the 2025 Hall of Fame announcement.

He declared his retirement from play-by-play after the 2024 American League Division Series that featured the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees. Lately, he has been narrating opening teasers for NBC's current NBA season, building on his previous NBA experience with the network.

Statements from Costas and NBC Executives

Costas reflected on his return in a statement, saying, “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. 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 Sports President Rick Cordella commented, “We’re excited that Bob has agreed to come home to NBC Sports, where he helped make baseball an iconic brand earlier in his career for so many years. There is no more knowledgeable, authoritative and passionate voice on baseball than Bob Costas.”

Bob Costas' suggestions for MLB Format changes

While chatting on Christopher “Mad Dog” Russo’s SiriusXM radio show, Costas proposed cutting MLB's regular season from 162 games down to at least 156. This change would help fit in an expanded playoff format without pushing the season into late November. He mentioned,“They should be able to cut back to at least 156. Which is one three-game home series for each team.”

Costas pointed out that the norm was 154 games from 1904 to 1960, but he thinks 156 is a more practical cut. To make up for the games lost, he suggested turning the division series into a best-of-seven format, mentioning that this would create more TV content and lower the chances of unexpected outcomes in shorter series with wild-card teams.

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