Report: NBC to bring back Bob Costas, Al Michaels for 'surprise' Paris 2024 Olympics appearance

NBC is reportedly bringing back broadcasting legends Bob Costas and Al Michaels for Paris 2024 Olympics coverage, according to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports.

Costas previously split from the network in 2019 after 40 years as, arguably, its biggest broadcasting star. As for Michaels, his name was in the headlines back in June when NBC was set to debut an A.I. recreation of voice.

So after Costas’ departure and Michaels’ subsequently leaving in 2022, they’re both back.

“The network plans to bring back legendary broadcasters Bob Costas and Al Michaels for surprise on-air appearances during its coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics,” McCarthy wrote. “The move represents a reconciliation after both Costas and Michaels left NBC under something of a cloud …

“On Wednesday, 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 pair also joined a CEO panel conducted by sister network CNBC.”

Snoop and his two TV dads: Al Michaels and Bob Costas. #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/bCbvDoLtTG

— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) July 31, 2024

The viewers were in mind, according to NBC.

“They’re icons in this industry, and it would be great for viewers,” NBC spokesman Greg Hughes told Front Office Sports. “We expect to make that happen.”

Costas and Michaels are synonymous with NBC and the Olympics with Costas serving as the prime-time host of a record 12 Olympic Games from 1988 to 2016.

Michaels is perhaps most well known for his call of the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes.”

Team USA edged out the Soviet Union in one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

Going back to the A.I. part of the equation, NBC couldn’t do it without Michaels’ approval. Wonder if they asked Costas too?

“What would I sound like?” Michaels told Vanity Fair of his early skepticism. “Would I sound like a guy who just spews clichés? Would my voice be different?”

Once the long-time NBC face heard how well the technology mimicked his speech, and even his cadence, he was sold.

“Frankly, it was astonishing. It was amazing,” Michaels said to VF’s Tom Kludt. “And it was a little bit frightening… It was not only close, it was almost 2% off perfect… I’m thinking, ‘Whoa.’”

For the 79-year-old’s quick adaptation to today’s innovations, Michaels earned praise from the President of NBC Sports, Rick Cordella. Cordella told reporters that he was the “perfect choice.”

“Al deserves credit for leaning into this technology so enthusiastically,” Cordella said.