NBC Sports was set to unleash a surprise in the broadcast world by bringing together legendary sports broadcasters Al Michaels and Bob Costas for a segment with their Olympic coverage team.
Front Office Sports was the first to report on the situation. They note that the pair are legends of the Olympic broadcast booth – with Costas being a primetime host of a dozen Olympic Games and Michaels, of course, being the legendary voice behind the Miracle on Ice game.
Still, they say, both left NBC “under something of a cloud”.
The return of the icons of the industry may have been given away though, when the two got themselves a selfie with fellow current Olympic commentator and legend of entertainment, Snoop Dogg.
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Al Michaels, Bob Costas, And Snoop Dogg
It sounds like the start of a joke: Al Michaels, Bob Costas, and Snoop Dogg walk into a bar …
However, it might not have been a laughing matter to NBC executives who were ready to deliver the broadcast surprise, but might have had to give it away a little earlier than planned.
Why? Because, according to Front Office Sports, Costas and Michaels “were seen kibitzing with NBC guest commentator Snoop Dogg at the beach volleyball venue under the shadows of the Eiffel Tower.”
The kibitzing led to a selfie that should go down in the annals of broadcasting lore. Snoop Dogg hanging with his homies.
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Selfie For The Ages
As awesome as that selfie is, and no disrespect to Costas and Michaels who are legends, it looks like two tourists in France found Snoop Dogg. Then begged him for a picture so they could show their grandkids back home how cool they are.
And Costas is fretting that they have to get to the Eiffel Tower for their guided tour before they miss the appointment he set up in his hotel room that morning.
At least, that’s what it looks like to me.
It’s a miracle that the two are back covering the Olympics where they made a significant impact in their careers. But will there be any miraculous moments like the American ice hockey team defeating Russia in 1980?
If so, Costas and Michaels will be the perfect people on the scene. Throw in some exuberant cheering from a starstruck Snoop Dogg, and it could make for a legendary moment. As legendary as the selfie that started it all.
NBC spokesman Greg Hughes told Front Office Sports that it’s practically a done deal.
“They’re icons in this industry, and it would be great for viewers,” he said. “We expect to make that happen.”
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