Bob Costas: Mike Tirico ‘aced’ being the face of NBC Sports

June 4, 2026 - 03:15

Bob Costas, who long served as the defining presence of NBC Sports, says Mike Tirico has more than lived up to the challenge of taking over that role. Costas recently spoke with SiriusXM NBA Radio host David Shepard about the NBA Finals, the return of NBA coverage to NBC, and his own career in broadcasting. During the conversation, Costas made it clear that Tirico has handled the transition with skill and professionalism.

"He has aced it," Costas said of Tirico's tenure as the network's top anchor. Costas noted that stepping into such a high-profile position is never easy, especially when following someone who held it for decades. But he emphasized that Tirico brought his own strengths to the job and made the role his own.

The discussion also touched on the upcoming reboot of NBA coverage on NBC, which is set to return after a long absence from the network's sports lineup. Costas expressed excitement about the league's return to NBC and the fresh energy it will bring to the broadcast team. He reflected on the evolution of sports media and how the landscape has changed since he first became a national figure.

Costas stepped back from full-time hosting duties years ago, but he remains active in select broadcasts and interviews. His praise for Tirico underscores a smooth generational shift at the network, one that has kept NBC Sports competitive in a crowded field.