For the seventh consecutive time, NBC holds the broadcasting rights to the Summer Olympics. This year’s games will include 5,500 hour of coverage on NBC, its affiliated networks and its website.
The coverage will also feature a broadcasting team of over 100 of the world’s top announcers. Some will call sports in their preferred niche, while others will dabble in events outside of their comfort zone. NBC has also tabbed a group of Olympic rookies, some straight out of the entertainment business, to report the games to America.
Although most people may watch the Olympics for the athletes, the broadcasters have a plotline going as well. While some are familiar faces (Bob Costas as the primetime host, Dan Hicks on the call for swimming, Tom Hammond on the call for track and field), here are some of the announcers broadcasting under intriguing circumstances in London:
Meet The NBC Olympic Announcers Slideshow
Mike "Doc" Emrick
With three decades of calling NHL games, Emrick is a familiar voice among American hockey fans. Since the NHL returned from its lockout in 2005, Emrick has called all seven Stanley Cup Finals, plus ice hockey at the 2006 and 2010 Olympics for NBC Sports. He also called water polo at the 2004 Summer Olympics for NBC, a role he will reprise in London after being absent in the 2008 Olympics. During Game 6 of this past June's Stanley Cup Finals, Emrick said about water polo, "It'll be a lot of mean-spirited game with nets and goalies just like this."
Dan Patrick
It's been quite a road for Patrick, who first gained fame co-anchoring SportsCenter with Keith Olbermann in the mid-90s. During his career, Patrick has had his own radio show, been a senior writer at Sports Illustrated and appeared as an actor in select Adam Sandler movies. He was also a reporter for women's downhill skiing and snowboarding at the 2010 Winter Olympics. In London, he will be NBC's daytime co-host with Al Michaels.
Michelle Beadle
Just a couple months ago, Beadle was working alongside Colin Cowherd as co-host of SportsNation on ESPN. Starting Friday, she will be the studio host of the NBC Sports Network's cover Olympic coverage. Reporting gold medals is just a little bit of a step up from reporting top bloopers. Sports fans are not the only people who will recognize at the Olympics. Since joining the NBC family in the spring, Beadles has been a correspondent for Access Hollywood.
John McEnroe
The tennis legend will be making his Olympic debut as both a tennis analyst and primetime correspondent. McEnroe will be the color commentator for the men's gold medal match, but he will spend most of his time as a correspondent. McEnroe's candid-style is uncommon for an Olympic broadcaster, and it will be interesting to see how he fits in with the clean-cut culture.
Ryan Seacrest
The American Idol host will take on the sports world in his Olympic debut as a primetime correspondent. Seacrest, also the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin'' Eve, will be reporting to Bob Costas rather than Randy Jackson. After signing a deal in April expanding his position with NBCUniversal, Seacrest is going to be present in many more NBC broadcasts moving forward.
Apolo Ohno
The eight-time Winter Olympic medalist will make his Olympic broadcasting debut as a reporter. Outside of short track speed skating, Ohno is most famous for winning the fourth season of "Dancing With The Stars" with Julianne Hough -- Seacrest's girlfriend.
Craig Sager
Wearing a pink suit is a lot different at say, a Buck-Grizzlies game on TNT than an Olympic event. Sager has been a sideline reporter in three previous Olympics, so the international basketball media has likely gotten used to his eccentric wardrobe. Maybe he has a red suit that can help him double as Queen's guard while in London. Fun fact: Sager called Nordic skiing and curling for TNT at the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics.
Doc Rivers
Rivers will be doing color commentary in London. Rivers announced the 2004 NBA Finals on ABC alongside Al Michaels while between coaching jobs. As Celtics head coach, Rivers has become a mentor to young NBA players and veterans alike. It will be interesting to see if he brings a Tony Dungy-like complex to the broadcast booth, as both are two of the most respected men in their sports. 76ers coach Doug Collins will also be doing color commentary in London.
Pierre McGuire
Like Emrick, McGuire is one of a number of NHL on NBC broadcasters being used in the Olympics. The former NHL head coach, general manager and scout has been with NBC Sports since 2006. He currently works as the “Inside the Glass” reporter during NHL broadcasts. Check out this clip as McGuire makes a cameo between a John Tortorella and Peter DeBoer screaming match. As a SportsDesk reporter at these Olympics, McGuire is not likely to experience such an event in London.
Bela Karolyi
The legendary gymnastics coach will be making his second consecutive appearance as an Olympics correspondent. In the 2008 Olympics, Karolyi was among those who accused the Chinese women's gymnastics team of using underage competitors. Karolyi's wife, Marta, who has been the national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics since 2001, agreed with his statement. The international Federation of Gymnastics cleared the gold medal-winning Chinese team after the games. Karolyi will likely be looking for a much smoother Olympics as a broadcaster this summer.
Shaun White
The two-time Winter Olympics gold medalist in the halfpipe will be a guest contributor in London. White could make a case for the longest red hair in broadcasting history. After baseball and softball were axed from the 2012 Olympics in 2005, rumors swirled that some variation of skateboarding could be added to the London Games or a future Olympics. Although skateboarding has not been added to any future Olympics, the addition of BMX at the 2008 Olympics could be a sign of more extreme sports to come in the future. Imagine a 37-year-old White making his Summer Olympics debut on a skateboard in 2024.
Jimmy Fallon
The Late Night host is sure to bring some antics to the city of London. Like White, Fallon is a guest contributor, and he will likely making appearances with a comedic twist. In terms of athletics, Fallon is arguably most famous for his lead role in the 2005 film "Fever Pitch," a romantic comedy based around the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series championship.
