Editing Bob Costas (section)

===NBC Sports===

In 1980, Costas was hired by [[NBC]]. [[Don Ohlmeyer]], who at the time ran NBC's [[NBC Sports|sports division]], told 28-year-old Costas he looked like a 14-year-old.<ref>{{cite news |last=Higgins|first=Bill|date=February 6, 2017 |title=Hollywood Flashback: In 1980, Bob Costas Was the (Baby) Face of NBC Sports|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-flashback-1980-bob-costas-was-baby-face-nbc-sports-975666|work=Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> 

For many years, Costas hosted NBC's [[NFL on NBC|National Football League]] (NFL) coverage and [[NBA on NBC|National Basketball Association]] (NBA) coverage. He also did play-by-play for NBA and [[Major League Baseball on NBC|Major League Baseball]] (MLB) coverage. With the introduction of the [[NBCSN|NBC Sports Network]], Costas also became the host of the new monthly interview program ''Costas Tonight''.<ref name="tvg-nbcsn">{{cite magazine|last=Sands|first=Rich|title=Channel Changing: Versus Becomes NBC Sports Network|url=http://www.tvguide.com/News/Versus-NBC-Sports-1041158.aspx|magazine=TV Guide|access-date=January 1, 2012}}</ref>

====Boxing====
On March 30, 2015, it was announced that Costas would join forces with [[Marv Albert]] (blow-by-blow) and [[Al Michaels]] (host) on the April 11, 2015, edition of NBC's [[Prime time|primetime]] ''[[Boxing on NBC|PBC on NBC]]'' boxing series.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/03/30/marv-alberts-al-michaels-bob-costas-katie-nolan-garbage-time|title=Marv Albert, Al Michaels, Bob Costas to join forces for a broadcast|last1=Deitsch|first1=Richard|date=March 30, 2015|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> Costas was added to serve as a special contributor for the event from [[Barclays Center]] in [[Brooklyn]]. He would narrate and write a feature on the storied history of boxing in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DeFrank |first1=Sean |title=Bob Costas joining Al Michaels, Marv Albert for PBC on NBC |url=https://www.premierboxingchampions.com/news/bob-costas-joining-al-michaels-marv-albert-pbc-nbc |website=premierboxingchampions.com |date=March 31, 2015 |publisher=PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>

====Golf====
Costas hosted [[Golf Channel on NBC|NBC]]'s [[List of U.S. Open (golf) broadcasters|coverage]] of the [[U.S. Open (golf)|U.S. Open]] golf tournament<ref>{{cite news| author = Yoder, Matt | date = June 18, 2012 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/17/us-open-fan-webb-simpson-trophy-costas-video_n_1604552.html |title=U.S. Open Fan Interrupts Webb Simpson Trophy Presentation, Bob Costas Interview (Video) | work = [[The Huffington Post]] |access-date= August 5, 2012}}</ref> from [[2003 U.S. Open (golf)|2003]] to [[2014 U.S. Open (golf)|2014]].<ref name="l461">{{cite web | last=Thomas | first=Mike | title=Bob Costas Made Tons of Money on TV Ever Since His Baseball Coach Told Him He Couldn't Hit His Weight | website=Sportscasting | date=2020-04-29 | url=https://www.sportscasting.com/news/bob-costas-made-tons-of-money-on-tv-ever-since-his-baseball-coach-told-him-he-couldnt-hit-his-weight/ | access-date=2024-07-29}}</ref>

====Major League Baseball====
For [[Major League Baseball on NBC|baseball telecasts]], Costas teamed with [[Sal Bando]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120322&content_id=27505084&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=At 60, Costas Remains at Top of His Game—MLB Network Commentator's Talent, Love for Baseball Unmatched |author=Kalb, Elliott |date= March 22, 2012 | work= [[MLB.com]] |access-date= August 5, 2012}}</ref> ([[1982 Major League Baseball season|1982]]), [[Tony Kubek]] (from [[1983 Major League Baseball season|1983]] to [[1989 Major League Baseball season|1989]]), and [[Joe Morgan]] and [[Bob Uecker]] (from [[1994 Major League Baseball season|1994]] to [[2000 Major League Baseball season|2000]]). One of his most memorable broadcasts occurred on June 23, 1984 (in what would go down in baseball lore as "[[The Sandberg Game]]").<ref name="chicagocubsonline1">{{cite web |author=Neil on |url=http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2009/06/1984cubs_2.php |title=Looking Back at '84: The Sandberg Game |publisher=ChicagoCubsOnline.com |date=June 23, 2009 |access-date=July 16, 2012 |archive-date=May 17, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517020533/http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2009/06/1984cubs_2.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> Costas, along with Tony Kubek, was calling the Saturday baseball ''[[Major League Baseball on NBC|Game of the Week]]'' from Chicago's [[Wrigley Field]]. The game between the [[1984 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] and [[1984 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] in particular was cited for putting [[Ryne Sandberg]] (as well as the [[1984 Chicago Cubs season|1984 Cubs]] in general, who would go on to make their first postseason appearance since [[1945 Chicago Cubs season|1945]]) "on the map". In the ninth inning, the Cubs, trailing 9–8, faced the premier relief pitcher of the time, [[Bruce Sutter]]. Sandberg, then not known for his power, slugged a home run to left field against the Cardinals' ace closer.<ref name="chicagocubsonline1" /> Despite this dramatic act, the Cardinals scored two runs in the top of the tenth. Sandberg came up again in the tenth inning, facing a determined Sutter with one man on base. Sandberg then shocked the national audience by hitting a second home run, even farther into the left field bleachers, to tie the game again.<ref name="chicagocubsonline1" /> The Cubs went on to win in the 11th inning.<ref>[http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/2/9/5390/94355 The Top 20 Cub HR Of All Time—No. 4 Ryne Sandberg 6/23/1984—Bleed Cubbie Blue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320060120/http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/2/9/5390/94355 |date=March 20, 2012 }}.</ref> When Sandberg hit that second home run, Costas said, ''"Do you believe it?!"'' The Cardinals' [[Willie McGee]] also hit for the cycle in the same game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Woodley |first1=Christopher |title=June 23, 1984: The Ryne Sandberg Game |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/746344-june-23-1984-the-ryne-sandberg-game |website=Bleacher Report |publisher= Turner Broadcasting System|access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>

While hosting Game 4 of the [[1988 World Series]] between the [[1988 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] and [[1988 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] on [[NBC]], Costas angered many members of the Dodgers (especially the team's manager, [[Tommy Lasorda]]) by commenting before the start of the game that the Dodgers quite possibly were about to put up the weakest-hitting lineup in World Series history.<ref>{{cite news|last= Ostler|first=Scott |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1988-10-20-sp-5478-story.html|title=This Is One Incredible Stunt They're Pulling Off | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] |date= October 20, 1988|access-date= July 31, 2012}}</ref> That comment ironically fired up the Dodgers' competitive spirit, to the point where a chant of "Kill Costas!" began among the clubhouse, while the Dodgers eventually rolled to a 4–1 series victory.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://calltothepen.com/2018/07/28/mlb-hall-fame-bob-costas-1988-dodgers/#:~:text=OAKLAND%2C%20CA%20-%20OCTOBER%2020%2C%201988%3A%20Manager%20Tommy,1988%20at%20the%20Oakland%20Coliseum%20in%20Oakland%2C%20California.| title = MLB Hall of Fame: Bob Costas inspires the 1988 Dodgers| date = July 28, 2018}}</ref>

Besides calling the [[1989 American League Championship Series]] for NBC, Costas<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sarni |first=Jim |date=1989-10-07 |title=COSTAS PREPARES FOR (LONG) OFFSEASON |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/1989/10/07/costas-prepares-for-long-offseason/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Sun Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Larry |date=1989-10-06 |title=Scully Loses Voice, Costas Fills In |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-10-06-sp-518-story.html |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nidetz |first=Steve |date=1989-10-06 |title=NBC PUTS ON ANOTHER HIT SHOW AS COSTAS STEPS INTO LEAD ROLE |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1989/10/06/nbc-puts-on-another-hit-show-as-costas-steps-into-lead-role/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Chicago Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref> also filled in for a suddenly ill [[Vin Scully]], who had come down with [[laryngitis]], for Game{{nbsp}}2 of the [[1989 National League Championship Series]] alongside [[Tom Seaver]]. Game{{nbsp}}2 of the NLCS took place on Thursday, October 5, which was an off day for the ALCS. NBC then decided to fly Costas from Toronto to Chicago to substitute for Scully on Thursday night. Afterward, Costas flew back to Toronto, where he resumed work on the ALCS<ref>{{cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Some Fans See Enemies Behind Every Microphone |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/03/sports/baseball/03sandomir.html?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=McMillan |first=Ken |date=January 12, 2009 |title=Swansong for Hall of Famer Kubek aired on MLB Net |url=http://blogs.hudsonvalley.com/hudson-valley-sports-tv/2009/01/12/swansong-for-hall-of-famer-kubek-aired-on-mlb-net/ |newspaper=hudsonvalley.com }}</ref> the next night.

Costas anchored NBC's pre- and post-game shows for NFL broadcasts and the pre and post-game shows for numerous World Series and [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]s during the 1980s (the first being for the [[1982 World Series]]). Costas did not get a shot at doing play-by-play (as the games on NBC were previously called by Vin Scully) for an All-Star Game until [[1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1994]] and a World Series until [[1995 World Series|1995]] (when NBC split the coverage with [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] under "[[The Baseball Network]]" umbrella), when NBC regained Major League Baseball rights after a four-year hiatus (when the broadcast network television contract moved over to [[Major League Baseball on CBS|CBS]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Costas Prepares For (long) Offseason|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1989-10-07-8902030046-story.html|first=Jim|last=Sarni|newspaper=Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel|date=October 7, 1989}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Du Brow|first=Rick|title=NBC's Team Player Has His Eye on the Ball : Sportscasting: With CBS' surprise sacking of Brent Musburger, Bob Costas would seem the obvious replacement—but he's sticking with his baseball-less network.|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-04-05-ca-1120-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> exclusively). It was not until [[1997 World Series|1997]] when Costas finally got to do play-by-play for a World Series from start to finish. Costas ended up winning a [[Sports Emmy Award]] for [[Outstanding Sports Personality, Play-by-Play]].<ref name="NewhouseNetwork 2019">{{cite web |date=September 24, 2013 |title=#NewhouseNetwork: Bob Costas '74 |url=https://newhouse.syr.edu/news-events/news/newhousenetwork-bob-costas-74 |publisher=[[S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications]] at [[Syracuse University]] |access-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824001228/https://newhouse.syr.edu/news-events/news/newhousenetwork-bob-costas-74 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In [[1999 Major League Baseball season|1999]], Costas teamed with his then-[[NBC]] colleague Joe Morgan to call two weekday night telecasts for [[ESPN Major League Baseball|ESPN]]. The first was on [[Wednesday Night Baseball|Wednesday]], August 25 with the [[1999 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]] playing against the [[1999 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/1999/08/25/Sports-Media/MEDIA-NOTES.aspx|title=Media Notes|date=August 25, 1999|work=Sports Business Daily|publisher=Advance Publications|access-date=October 12, 2020}}</ref>

On August 3, 2019, Costas alongside [[Paul O'Neill (baseball)|Paul O'Neill]] and [[David Cone]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thespun.com/more/mlb/why-bob-costas-is-calling-todays-yankees-red-sox-doubleheader|title=Why Bob Costas Is Calling Today's Yankees–Red Sox Doubleheader|last=Hladik|first=Matt|date=August 3, 2019|website=The Big Lead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebiglead.com/2019/07/30/bob-costas-to-call-yankee-game-for-yes-as-michael-kay-nears-return/|title=Bob Costas to Call Yankee Game for YES as Michael Kay Nears Return|last=Magliocchetti|first=Geoff|date=July 30, 2019|website=The Spun|access-date=August 6, 2019|archive-date=August 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806000628/https://thebiglead.com/2019/07/30/bob-costas-to-call-yankee-game-for-yes-as-michael-kay-nears-return/|url-status=dead}}</ref> called both games of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|double-header]] between the [[2019 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] and [[2019 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] for the [[YES Network]]. Costas was filling in for [[Michael Kay (sports broadcaster)|Michael Kay]], who was recovering from vocal cord surgery.

On August 20, 2021, reports emerged that [[Major League Baseball on TBS|TBS]] was nearing an agreement with Costas to host their coverage of that year's [[2021 National League Championship Series|NLCS]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Marchand|first=Andrew|date=August 20, 2021|title=Bob Costas nearing agreement with TBS to host NLCS|url=https://nypost.com/2021/08/20/bob-costas-likely-to-host-nlcs-for-tbs-this-october/|work=The New York Times|location= |access-date=}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> This became true when TBS announce his role on October 7, 2021.<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last=Lucia|first=Joe|date=August 20, 2021|title=Bob Costas reportedly could host the NLCS on TBS|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/turner/bob-costas-reportedly-could-host-the-nlcs-on-tbs.html|work=Awful Announcing|location= |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=TBS to be Exclusive Home of 2021 National League Championship Series presented by loanDepot – Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers – Beginning Tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. ET {{!}} Pressroom |url=https://press.wbd.com/na/media-release/tnt-sports/mlb-tbs/tbs-be-exclusive-home-2021-national-league-championship-series-presented-loandepot |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=press.wbd.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=2021-10-07 |title=Bob Costas Joins WarnerMedia's Post-Season Baseball Lineup |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/bob-costas-baseball-nlcs-warnermedia-turner-sports-1235083053/ |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

On October 31, 2024, Costas announced that he was officially retiring from Major League Baseball play-by-play calling after 44 years.<ref>{{cite news |last=Marchand|first=Andrew|date=October 31, 2024|title=Bob Costas retires from MLB play-by-play duties after 4-plus decades|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5888765/2024/10/31/bob-costas-mlb-retirement-play-by-play/|work=The New York Times|location= |access-date=October 31, 2024}}</ref> This means that his final Major League Baseball broadcast as a play-by-play announcer was Game 4 of the [[2024 American League Division Series]] between the [[2024 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] and [[2024 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]], airing on TBS.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGuire |first=Brent |date=October 31, 2024 |title=Legendary broadcaster Costas retires from MLB play-by-play |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bob-costas-retires-from-mlb-play-by-play-duties |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=MLB.com |language=en}}</ref>

====NASCAR====
In November 2017, it was announced that Costas would co-anchor alongside [[Krista Voda]] on [[NASCAR on NBC|NBC]]'s pre-race coverage leading into the [[2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series|NASCAR Cup Series]] [[Ford EcoBoost 400|finale]] from [[Homestead-Miami Speedway|Homestead]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2017/11/bob-costas-nascar-danica-espn-goodell/|title= Extra Points: Costas, Danica, ESPN, NFL Commish|date=November 18, 2017|website=Sports Media Watch}}</ref> In addition to hosting pre-race coverage, Costas would conduct a live interview with incoming NBC broadcaster [[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]], who was running his final race.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hembree |first1=Mike |title=NBC brings Bob Costas to NASCAR season finale to interview Dale Earnhardt Jr. |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2017/11/15/dale-earnhardt-jr-bob-costas-nbc-homestead-prerace-interview/866336001/ |website=USA Today |access-date=August 14, 2019}}</ref>

====National Basketball Association====
{{details|NBA on NBC#1990–1997|NBA on NBC#1998–2000}}

Costas served as NBC's lead play-by-play announcer for their [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA) [[NBA on NBC|broadcasts]] from [[1997-98 NBA season|1997]]-[[1999-2000 NBA season|2000]]. In that time frame, Costas called three [[List of NBA Finals broadcasters|NBA Finals]] including the [[1998 NBA Finals|1998 installment]] (which [[Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals|set]] an all-time [[NBA television ratings|ratings]] record for the NBA) between the [[1997-98 Chicago Bulls season|Chicago Bulls]] and [[1997-98 Utah Jazz season|Utah Jazz]]. Costas was paired with [[Isiah Thomas]] and [[Doug Collins (basketball)|Doug Collins]] on NBC's NBA telecast.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1997-11-26 |title=BASKETBALL; Thomas Is Teamed With Costas on NBC (Published 1997) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/26/sports/basketball-thomas-is-teamed-with-costas-on-nbc.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stewart |first=Larry |date=1997-11-26 |title=Costas-Thomas No. 1 at NBC |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-nov-26-sp-57888-story.html |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the [[2000 NBA Finals]], he was replaced by [[Marv Albert]] as the lead play-by-play announcer, who incidentally, the man he directly replaced on the ''NBA on NBC'' in the first place.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1999-06-30 |title=PRO BASKETBALL; NBC Rehires Albert 2 Years After Firing Him (Published 1999) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/30/sports/pro-basketball-nbc-rehires-albert-2-years-after-firing-him.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Albert back as NBC's lead announcer |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1999/12/15/albert-back-as-nbc-s-lead-announcer/ |access-date=2023-08-19 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sandomir |first=Richard |date=1999-12-17 |title=TV SPORTS; Once Again, Albert Is at Top of His Game With the N.B.A. (Published 1999) |language=en |work=[[New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/12/17/sports/tv-sports-once-again-albert-is-at-top-of-his-game-with-the-nba.html |access-date=2023-08-19}}</ref>

Costas had previously presided as host of NBC's pre-game show, ''[[NBA Showtime]]'', while also providing play-by-play as a fill-in when necessary. Costas later co-anchored (with [[Hannah Storm]]) NBC's NBA Finals coverage in [[2002 NBA Finals|2002]], which was their last to-date (before the NBA's network television contract moved to [[NBA on ABC|ABC]]).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sarni |first1=Jim |title=NBC GETS WISH WITH DOUBLEHEADER |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2002-05-31-0205310126-story.html |website=sun-sentinel.com |date=May 31, 2002 |publisher=South Florida South Sentinel |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=NBA Finals Game 3 draws best rating since move to ABC |url=https://www.apnews.com/90ae589fe9904174a3ea64ca3d951914 |website=apnews.com |agency=Associated Press |access-date=August 18, 2019 |archive-date=August 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818024117/https://www.apnews.com/90ae589fe9904174a3ea64ca3d951914 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Blockquote|Okay, Marv, thanks very much. And as Marv himself would say, "it should be pointed out" that Marv is celebrating his forty-ninth birthday tonight for a record twelfth consecutive year. Well, another season is in the books. The Lakers' title run continues with perhaps no end in sight. But as Marv said, we have reached the end of our run with the NBA. NBC's twelve years televising the league had been filled with indelible moments. And so, as we say good night, here's an appreciative look back. And for one last time, you've been watching the ''NBA on NBC''.|Bob Costas closing out NBC's final NBA broadcast, Game 4 of the [[2002 NBA Finals]] on June 12, 2002.}}

====Professional football====
Costas began as a play-by-play announcer, working with analyst [[Bob Trumpy]].<ref>{{cite web |title=BOB TRUMPY NAMED ROZELLE AWARD WINNER |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/news/bob-trumpy-named-rozelle-award-winner/ |website=profootballhof.com |publisher=PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME |access-date=August 14, 2019}}</ref> In 1984, he would replace [[Len Berman]] as studio host.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profootballresearchers.com/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/26-05-1045.pdf|title=A CHRONOLOGY OF PRO FOOTBALL ON TELEVISION: Part 3|last=Brulia |first=Tim|website=Pro Football Researchers}}</ref> Among his NFL colleagues was [[O.J. Simpson]], who had called [[30 Rockefeller Plaza]] asking to speak to Costas during Simpson's infamous [[Murder trial of O. J. Simpson#Bronco chase|police chase]] through the freeways of [[Los Angeles]]. However, Costas was several blocks away at [[Madison Square Garden]] covering Game 5 of the [[1994 NBA Finals]]. Costas learned of the attempted contact when visiting Simpson in prison later that year.<ref name="Costas3">{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/news/bob-costas-oj-simpson-rcna147525 |title=Bob Costas recalls O.J. Simpson car chase following his death: 'It was surreal, to put it mildly' |work=Today |date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2024}}</ref> Costas remained NFL studio host until 1992, when he was replaced by [[Jim Lampley]].

NBC Sports allowed Costas to opt out from having to cover the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]]. He publicly denigrated the league throughout its existence and remains a vocal critic of the XFL and its premise.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Tom |title=Director Charlie Ebersol Talks 'This Was the XFL' 30 for 30, Vince McMahon, More |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2690645-director-charlie-ebersol-talks-this-was-the-xfl-30-for-30-vince-mcmahon-more |website=Bleacher Report |publisher= Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. |access-date=August 18, 2019}}</ref>

In [[2006 NFL season|2006]], Costas returned to NFL studio hosting duties for NBC's new ''[[NBC Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]'', hosting its pre-game show ''[[Football Night in America]]''.

Costas is nicknamed "Rapping Roberto" by New York City's ''[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]]'' sports media columnist Bob Raissman.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/story/451507p-380022c.html | title=NBC out-Foxed in opener | work=[[Daily News (New York)|Daily News]] | author=Raissman, Bob | date=September 12, 2006 }}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[Al Michaels]] also called him "Rapping Roberto" during the telecast between the [[2006 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]] and the [[2006 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] on September 10, 2006, in response to Costas calling him "Alfalfa".<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2006-09-10-weekend_x.htm | title=Scores, injury updates early fodder for NBC's Sunday-night NFL show | work =[[USA Today]] | author= Hiestand, Michael | date= September 11, 2006}}</ref>

====Olympics (1988–2016)====
Costas has frontlined many Olympics broadcasts for [[Olympics on NBC|NBC]]. They include [[1988 Summer Olympics|Seoul in 1988]], [[1992 Summer Olympics|Barcelona in 1992]], [[1996 Summer Olympics|Atlanta in 1996]], [[2000 Summer Olympics|Sydney in 2000]], [[2002 Winter Olympics|Salt Lake City in 2002]], [[2004 Summer Olympics|Athens in 2004]], [[2006 Winter Olympics|Torino in 2006]], [[2008 Summer Olympics|Beijing in 2008]], [[2010 Winter Olympics|Vancouver in 2010]], [[2012 Summer Olympics|London in 2012]], [[2014 Winter Olympics|Sochi in 2014]] and [[2016 Summer Olympics|Rio in 2016]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Guinto, Joseph |url=http://www.americanwaymag.com/costas-now-olympics-beijing-bob-costas |title=Golden Boy |work=[[American Way (magazine)|American Way]] |date=August 1, 2008 |access-date=July 31, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813051502/http://www.americanwaymag.com/costas-now-olympics-beijing-bob-costas |archive-date=August 13, 2012 }}</ref> He discusses his work on the Olympic telecasts extensively in a book by Andrew Billings entitled ''Olympic Media: Inside the Biggest Show on Television''. A personal influence on Costas has been legendary [[ESPN on ABC|ABC Sports]] broadcaster [[Jim McKay]], who hosted many Olympics for [[Olympics on ABC|ABC]] from the 1960s to the 1980s.<ref>(June 7, 2008). [http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25019261/ "Legendary Broadcaster McKay Dies—TV Sports Journalist Known for Hosting 'Wide World of Sports' and Olympics"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723135112/http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25019261/ |date=July 23, 2012 }}. [[NBC Sports]]. Retrieved July 31, 2012.</ref>

During the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Opening Ceremonies, Costas's remarks on China's teams' possible drug use caused an uproar among the American Chinese and international communities. Thousands of dollars were raised to purchase ads in ''[[The Washington Post]]'' and Sunday ''[[The New York Times]]'', featuring an image of the head of a statue of [[Apollo]] and reading: "Costas Poisoned Olympic Spirit, Public Protests NBC".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://museums.cnd.org/CND-Global/CND-Global.96.3rd/CND-Global.96-08-31.html | title=Text of Protest Ad| work = [[China News Digest]] |first=K. Harrison|last=Liang | date= August 29, 1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E6D6163BF935A3575AC0A960958260| title=Cultural Views: Differing Outlooks | work = [[The New York Times]] |last=Sandomir|first=Richard| author-link = Richard Sandomir | date= September 6, 1996 | access-date = July 31, 2012}}</ref> However, Costas's comments were made subsequent to the suspension of Chinese coach Zhou Ming after seven of his swimmers were caught using steroids in 1994. Further evidence of Chinese athletes' drug use came in 1997 when Australian authorities confiscated 13 vials of [[Growth hormone|Somatropin]], a human growth hormone, from the bag of Chinese swimmer Yuan Yuan upon her arrival for the [[1998 World Aquatics Championships|1997 World Swimming Championships]]. At the World Championships, four Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned substance [[Triamterene]], a diuretic used to dilute urine samples to mask the presence of anabolic steroids. Including these failed drug tests, 27 Chinese swimmers were caught using performance-enhancing drugs from 1990 through 1997; more than the rest of the world combined.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-jan-18-sp-9735-story.html | title=Latest Drug Scandal Has China Critics Seeing Red | author = [[Mike Penner|Penner, Mike]] | date= January 18, 1998 | work= [[Los Angeles Times]] | access-date = July 31, 2012}}</ref>

Along with co-host [[Meredith Vieira]] and [[Matt Lauer]], Costas's commentary of the [[2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony|2012 Summer Olympics Opening Ceremonies]] came under fierce criticism, with Costas being described as making "a series of [[jingoistic]] remarks, including a joke about dictator [[Idi Amin]] when [[Uganda]]'s team appeared"<ref>Adams, Guy (July 30, 2012). [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/news/as-america-succeeds-at-the-games-back-home-all-the-talk-is-about-nbcfail-7986147.html "As America Succeeds at the Games, Back Home All the Talk Is About #NBCfail—Host Bob Costas Made a Series of Jingoistic Remarks, Including a Joke About Idi Amin When Uganda's Team Appeared"]. ''[[The Independent]]''. Retrieved August 1, 2012.</ref> and the combined commentary as being "ignorant" and "banal".<ref>Huff, Steve (July 28, 2012). [http://observer.com/2012/07/nbcs-broadcast-of-the-olympics-opening-ceremony-was-the-worst-video/ "NBC's Broadcast of the Olympics Opening Ceremony Was the Worst—We Cringed"]. ''[[The New York Observer]]''. Retrieved August 1, 2012.</ref><ref>Holmes, Linda (July 27, 2012). [https://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2012/07/28/157521409/the-opening-ceremonies-in-london-from-the-industrial-revolution-to-voldemort "The Opening Ceremonies in London: From the Industrial Revolution to Voldemort"]. [[NPR]]. Retrieved August 1, 2012.</ref><ref>Keller, Emma G. (July 28, 2012). [https://www.theguardian.com/media/us-news-blog/2012/jul/28/nbc-olympics-opening-ceremony "NBC Lambasted Over Banal Butchering of Opening Ceremony—And Rightly So—Tim Berners-Lee? Who's That? Madagascar? Oh, Like the Kids Movie! If You're Going To Make Us Wait Hours To Watch the Ceremony Live, NBC, the Least You Could Have Done Is Keep Quiet"]. ''Olympics2012'' (blog of ''[[The Guardian]]''). Retrieved August 1, 2012.</ref>

Following the Olympics, Costas appeared on [[Conan O'Brien]]'s [[Conan (talk show)|talk show]] and jokingly criticized his employer for its decision to air a preview of the upcoming series ''[[Animal Practice]]'' over a performance by [[The Who]] during the London closing ceremonies. "So here is the balance NBC has to consider: The Who, 'Animal Practice'. [[Roger Daltrey]], [[Pete Townshend]]—monkey in a lab coat. I'm sure you'd be the first to attest, Conan, that when it comes to the tough calls, NBC usually gets 'em right," Costas said, alluding at the end to O'Brien's involvement in the [[2010 Tonight Show conflict|2010 ''Tonight Show'' conflict]].<ref>Porter, Rick. (September 13, 2012). [http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/09/conan-bob-costas-not-a-fan-of-nbcs-olympic-closing-ceremony-coverage.html "'Conan': Bob Costas not a fan of NBC's Olympic closing ceremony coverage"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914233615/http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2012/09/conan-bob-costas-not-a-fan-of-nbcs-olympic-closing-ceremony-coverage.html |date=September 14, 2012 }}. [[Zap2it]]. Retrieved September 16, 2012.</ref>

An eye infection Costas had at the start of the [[2014 Winter Olympics]] forced him, on February 11, 2014, to cede his Olympic hosting duties to [[Matt Lauer]] (four nights) and [[Meredith Vieira]] (two nights), the first time Costas had not done so at all since the [[1998 Winter Olympics]] (as the rights were not held by NBC).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/matt-lauer-fill-bob-costas-nbcs-olympic-primetime-show?ctx=att-olympic-news-desk|title=Matt Lauer to fill in for Bob Costas on NBC's Olympic primetime show|website=www.nbcolympics.com|access-date=February 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212064658/http://www.nbcolympics.com/news/matt-lauer-fill-bob-costas-nbcs-olympic-primetime-show?ctx=att-olympic-news-desk|archive-date=February 12, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Thoroughbred racing====
From [[2001 Kentucky Derby|2001]] until 2018, Costas co-hosted the [[Kentucky Derby]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Hoppert |first=Melissa |url=http://therail.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/nbc-blankets-churchill-downs/ |title=NBC Blankets Churchill Downs | publisher = The Rail (blog of [[The New York Times]]) |date= May 2, 2012 |access-date= August 5, 2012}}</ref> In 2009, he hosted [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]]'s coverage of the 2009 [[Kentucky Oaks]].<ref>[http://www.nt2099.com/J-ENT/news/american-entertainment/ladies-first-bravo-at-the-kentucky-derby-airs-on-bravo-friday-may-1-at-5-pm-etpt/ Ladies First Bravo at the Kentucky Derby Airs on Bravo] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100328030859/http://www.nt2099.com/J-ENT/news/american-entertainment/ladies-first-bravo-at-the-kentucky-derby-airs-on-bravo-friday-may-1-at-5-pm-etpt/ |date=March 28, 2010 }}</ref> After Costas officially departed from NBC Sports, his role on NBC's [[Thoroughbred Racing on NBC|thoroughbred racing coverage]] was essentially filled-in by [[Rebecca Lowe]], beginning with the [[2019 Kentucky Derby]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=FROM THE MANCHESTER DERBY TO ... THE KENTUCKY DERBY, NBC SPORTS' REBECCA LOWE MAKES HER HORSE RACING DEBUT AT CHURCHILL DOWNS NEXT WEEK |url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2019/04/23/from-the-manchester-derby-to-the-kentucky-derby-nbc-sports-rebecca-lowe-makes-her-horse-racing-debut-at-churchill-downs-next-week/ |website=NBC Sports Group Press Box |publisher=NBC Universal |access-date=August 14, 2019}}</ref>

====Departure from NBC Sports====
On February 9, 2017, Costas announced during ''[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]'' that he had begun the process of stepping down from his main on-air roles at NBC Sports, announcing in particular that he would cede his role as primetime host for NBC's Olympics coverage to [[Mike Tirico]] (who joined the network from ESPN in 2016), and that he would host [[Super Bowl LII]] as his final Super Bowl.<ref name="usatoday-tiricoolympics"/> However, Costas ultimately dropped out of the coverage entirely.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smerconish |first=Michael |title=Bob Costas is right about the alarming dangers of football |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]] |url=http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/michael_smerconish/super-bowl-2018-lii-philadelphia-eagles-bob-costas-football-concussions-cte-20180131.html |access-date=February 2, 2018}}</ref>

''USA Today'' reported that he would similarly step down from ''Football Night in America'' in favor of Tirico. Costas explained that he was not outright retiring and expected to take on a role at NBC Sports similar to that of [[Tom Brokaw]], being an occasional special correspondent to the division. He explained that his decision "opens up more time to do the things that I feel I'm most connected to; there will still be events, features, and interviews where I can make a significant contribution at NBC, but it will also leave more time for baseball (on MLB Network), and then, at some point down the road, I'll have a chance to do more of the long-form programming I enjoy." Costas told ''USA Today'' his gradual retirement was planned in advance, and that he did not want to announce it during the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] or the NFL season because it would be too disruptive, and joked: "I'm glad that Sochi wasn't the last one. You wouldn't want your pink-eye Olympics to be your last Olympics."<ref name="usatoday-tiricoolympics">{{cite web|title=Bob Costas steps down as NBC host of Olympics; Mike Tirico to replace him|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/02/09/bob-costas-nbc-sports-stepping-down-olympics-sunday-night-football-nfl/97683870/|website=USA Today|access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref><ref name="usatoday-replacingcostas">{{cite web|title=Brennan: Bob Costas has been the face of the Olympics for Americans|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2017/02/09/bob-costas-olympics/97684504/|website=USA Today|access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref>

Costas's final major on-air broadcast for NBC was hosting the [[2018 Belmont Stakes]], where [[Justify (horse)|Justify]] won the [[Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)|Triple Crown]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/media/bob-costas-nbc-belmont-1.18990237 |title=Bob Costas ready to host NBC's coverage of the Belmont Stakes |publisher=Newsday |date=June 5, 2018 |access-date=October 4, 2019 |archive-date=February 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217142244/https://www.newsday.com/sports/media/bob-costas-nbc-belmont-1.18990237 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On January 15, 2019, it was announced that Costas had officially departed from NBC Sports after 40 years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bob Costas Leaves NBC Sports After Nearly 40 Years |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bob-costas-leaves-nbc-sports-after-nearly-40-years-11547715970 |website=The Wall Street Journal |date=January 17, 2019 |access-date=August 14, 2019}}</ref><ref name="NYPost" />

On August 11, 2024, Costas made a rare guest appearance on NBC's coverage of the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] for a segment previewing the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] in Los Angeles, joining Tirico and Al Michaels in a discussion of notable moments from past Olympics hosted by the United States.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=October 7, 2021 |title=Bob Costas Joins WarnerMedia's Post-Season Baseball Lineup |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/bob-costas-baseball-nlcs-warnermedia-turner-sports-1235083053/ |access-date= |work=Variety |location=}}</ref>