Bob Costas, an iconic American sportscaster, has captivated audiences for decades with his insightful commentary and presence at some of the most significant sporting events. Let’s take a closer look at Bob Costas journey, net worth, career highlights, and more.
Bob Costas Net Worth and Salary
- Estimated Net Worth: $50 million
- Annual Salary at Peak: $7 million with NBC
- Career Earnings: Roughly $100 million in salary before taxes over his career with NBC, from 1980 to 2019
Career Highlights
Bob Costas’ career spans nearly four decades, where he became a beloved figure in sports broadcasting. His expertise and eloquent style earned him a place in history as one of the most distinguished sportscasters.
Key Career Milestones:
- Early Beginnings: Started with an ABC affiliate and the Syracuse Blazers hockey team while still in college.
- Joining NBC: Began with NBC in 1980 at the age of 28, going on to cover events from the NFL to the Olympics.
- Olympics Coverage: Hosted NBC’s Olympic coverage from 1988 to 2016, making him synonymous with the Games.
- MLB Network: Continued his sports career with play-by-play commentary and special programs like “Studio 42 with Bob Costas.”
Awards and Accolades
Costas’ exceptional contributions to sports journalism have been recognized with numerous awards, including:
- National Sportscaster of the Year Awards: 8 times by the NSMA
- Sports Emmy Awards: Over 20 Emmy Awards in categories spanning sports, news, and entertainment
- Other Honors:
- Curt Gowdy Media Award (Basketball Hall of Fame)
- Ford C. Frick Award (National Baseball Hall of Fame)
- Walter Cronkite Award (Excellence in Journalism)
| Award | Year/Organization | Category |
|---|---|---|
| National Sportscaster Award | NSMA | 8 wins |
| Sports Emmy Award | National Academy of Television Arts | 20+ wins across categories |
| Curt Gowdy Media Award | Basketball Hall of Fame | Broadcasting |
| Ford C. Frick Award | National Baseball Hall of Fame | Broadcasting Excellence |
| Walter Cronkite Award | Arizona State University | Excellence in Journalism |
Personal Life and Relationships
Early Life
Robert Quinlan Costas was born on March 22, 1952, in Queens, New York, and raised in Commack in a Greek-American family. He studied communications at Syracuse University and graduated in 1974.
Marriage and Family
- First Marriage: Married Carole “Randy” Randall Krummenacher in 1983. They have two children, both of whom followed in Bob’s footsteps into sports media.
- Second Marriage: Married Jill Sutton in 2004; the couple currently resides in New York.
Interesting Family Fact
Costas once humorously agreed to name his son after baseball player Kirby Puckett if he achieved a batting average of .350, resulting in his son’s full name being Keith Michael Kirby Costas.
Controversies and Public Statements
Throughout his career, Bob Costas has not shied away from sharing his views, which has occasionally led to public controversies:
- Gun Control Remarks (2012): Called for sensible gun control, leading to criticism from conservative groups.
- Comments on Vladimir Putin (2014): Faced backlash for seemingly praising Putin, though later clarified his comments were taken out of context.
- Football Concussion Debate (2017): Voiced strong concerns about the safety of football, stating it “destroys people’s brains,” resulting in his removal from the Super Bowl LII hosting role.
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