Mike Tirico is poised to achieve a remarkable broadcasting feat this February, as he prepares to call his first Super Bowl and simultaneously serve as NBC's primetime host for the Olympic Games. This unprecedented combination makes Tirico the first announcer to undertake both roles in the same year, highlighting an extraordinary period in his illustrious career.
A Winter of Firsts for Tirico
This Sunday, Tirico will step into the spotlight to call the Super Bowl, featuring a matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Immediately after the game concludes, he will transition to his duties as the main host for NBC's Olympic coverage, creating a seamless shift from football to global sports. Tirico expressed his excitement, stating, "Nothing can match this winter. You don't even think about dreaming of doing something like this because it's stupid to think that this is reality. But I'm so excited for it and very blessed to be a part of it."
Historic Overlap and Career Milestones
This event marks the third time NBC has broadcast both the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl in the same year, but only the second instance where they overlap on the same Sunday. Tirico's journey to this point includes leaving ESPN for NBC in 2016, partly motivated by the opportunity to eventually call a Super Bowl. Previously, he served as the voice of "Monday Night Football" from 2006 to 2015, and Sunday's game will be his 290th NFL broadcast, excluding preseason matches.
Cris Collinsworth, a fellow broadcaster who will be analyzing his sixth Super Bowl, praised Tirico's abilities, saying, "For him to have this moment in time where he's going to do the Super Bowl, he's going to be the lead voice in the Olympics, he's going to be the lead voice in the NBA—I can barely keep these two teams straight in my mind. How he keeps all of that inside that computer brain of his, I have no idea, but there's nobody like him."
Preparation and Storytelling Excellence
Despite the added pressure, Tirico has maintained his usual meticulous preparation. As soon as the Seattle Seahawks secured their spot in the Super Bowl by defeating the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship game on January 25, he began assembling game charts and analyzing key players, such as backup quarterbacks. Producer Rob Hyland commended Tirico's storytelling skills, noting, "I think Mike has become, in my opinion, the best storyteller in live television. He told that kicker story in 25 seconds, and you really understood a lot about him, a lot about the Ravens organization, why they moved on from Justin Tucker."
Transition to Olympic Duties
Following the Super Bowl, Tirico will immediately embark on a journey to Milan, Italy, to begin reporting for the Olympics during Tuesday's daytime coverage. This will be his fifth Olympics as a primetime host and his third for a Winter Games. His experience covering major events like the FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships for ESPN has equipped him to handle the intense schedule of the 16-day Olympic Games. Tirico shared his approach, saying, "Usually when I get to Olympics or World Cups, I've found myself on a really good schedule, getting your daily routine dialed in and just maintaining that because I think it maintains your sanity."
While other broadcasters like Curt Gowdy, Greg Gumbel, and Jim Nantz have also hosted both the Super Bowl and Olympics, Tirico is unique in accomplishing this in the same year. His February began with calling a Los Angeles Lakers-New York Knicks game to launch NBC's "Sunday Night Basketball" package, further showcasing his versatility across multiple sports platforms.
