Bob Costas Biography: Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, NBC Sports Career, Olympics & Facts

Bob Costas is an American sportscasting legend whose voice has narrated some of the most iconic moments in sports history for over five decades. From hosting 12 Olympic Games to calling World Series and NBA Finals, he has won a record 29 Emmy Awards — more than any other sports broadcaster — and remains the only person to win Emmys in sports, news, and entertainment. In 2026, at age 74, he returned to NBC Sports to host the “Sunday Night Baseball” pregame show, proving that his passion for the game is as strong as ever.

Quick Facts

Related Names: Marv Albert, Mike Tirico, Al Michaels, Jim Gray, Jill Sutton, Carole Krummenacher, Aaron Judge, Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali.

Early Life & Education

Robert Quinlan Costas was born on March 22, 1952, in Queens, New York City. He is the son of John George Costas, an electrical engineer, and Jayne Quinlan. His paternal grandparents were Greek immigrants from Athens and Kefalovryso on the island of Kalymnos, while his maternal family is of Irish descent.

Costas grew up primarily in Commack, New York, and attended Commack High School South. He was a lifelong sports fan from an early age, particularly obsessed with baseball. After high school, he enrolled at Syracuse University’s prestigious S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, where he got his first radio experience as a freshman at WAER, the student-run radio station.

He dropped out of Syracuse in 1974 to accept a job at KMOX radio in St. Louis, one of the most powerful radio stations in the country. Years later, Syracuse University awarded him an honorary degree from the Newhouse School in recognition of his extraordinary career.

Career Journey

Early Radio and Local TV (1973–1980)

Costas began his professional broadcasting career at WSYR-TV and radio in Syracuse in 1973 while still a student. In 1974, he joined KMOX radio in St. Louis, where he hosted the program “Open Line” and served as a play-by-play announcer for the Spirits of St. Louis of the American Basketball Association. His time at KMOX honed his skills and built the foundation for his rise to national prominence.

Rise at NBC Sports (1980–1990s)

In 1980, Costas joined NBC Sports, where he would spend nearly four decades. He quickly became one of the network’s most versatile and respected voices, covering baseball, basketball, football, golf, and boxing. He was the play-by-play voice for NBC’s MLB coverage for 15 seasons (1982–89 and 1994–2000) and hosted “NFL Live” and “Later… with Bob Costas,” his critically acclaimed late-night interview show that ran from 1988 to 1994.

He hosted six Super Bowls, either hosted or called play-by-play for seven World Series and 10 NBA Finals, and co-hosted NBC’s Triple Crown horse racing coverage from 2001 to 2018.

The Olympics: A Record 12 Games (1988–2016)

Costas became the face of NBC’s Olympic coverage, serving as primetime host for a U.S. television record 12 Olympic Games from 1988 through 2016. He passed the torch to Mike Tirico in 2017. His Olympic hosting duties cemented his status as one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in American television.

HBO and MLB Network (2002–2019)

After his first NBC tenure, Costas worked extensively with HBO, hosting “Inside the NFL,” “Costas Now,” and “On the Record with Bob Costas.” In 2009, he joined MLB Network, where he hosted “Studio 42 with Bob Costas” and contributed to the network’s coverage of baseball’s biggest events. He also served as a contributor to CNN, offering commentary on sports and politics.

Return to NBC and Recent Work (2026)

In January 2026, NBC Sports announced that Costas would return to the network to host the “Sunday Night Baseball” pregame show, marking his first regular MLB role with NBC since 2000. He debuted on March 26, 2026, for the prime-time season opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks.

NBC Sports president Rick Cordella said: “We’re excited that Bob has agreed to come home to NBC Sports, where he helped make baseball an iconic brand earlier in his career for so many years. There is no more knowledgeable, authoritative and passionate voice on baseball than Bob Costas”.

Costas said of his return: “As appreciative as I am of other aspects of my career, especially HBO and the MLB Network, for 40 years, my true broadcasting home was NBC. So many great moments, memories, and friendships”.

Career Stats

• Emmy Awards: 29 (most among any sports broadcaster)
• National Sportscaster of the Year: 8 times (record)
• Olympic Games Hosted: 12
• World Series: 7 (hosted or play-by-play)
• NBA Finals: 10
• Super Bowls: 6
• Years Active: 1973–present

Personal Life

Family and Marriages

Costas married Carole “Randy” Randall Krummenacher in 1983. They had two children together: son Keith (born 1986) and daughter Taylor (born 1989). The couple divorced in 2001 but maintained a respectful co-parenting relationship.

On March 12, 2004, Costas married his second wife, Jill Sutton. The couple resides primarily in Newport Beach, California.

Children

Costas shares a particularly memorable story about his son Keith’s birth certificate. During a 1986 baseball broadcast, Costas and his broadcast partner Tony Kubek made a friendly wager with Minnesota Twins star Kirby Puckett over a game. When Puckett won, Costas jokingly agreed to name his son “Keith Michael Kirby Costas,” and the birth certificate was indeed changed to include “Kirby”.

Hobbies and Interests

Costas is a devoted baseball historian and has written several books on the subject, including Fair Ball: A Fan’s Case for Baseball. He is also an avid music fan and has frequently cited his admiration for artists like Bruce Springsteen. Despite his decades in the public eye, he has famously avoided social media, once saying he would “rather get pink eye again than join Twitter”.

Controversies

Concussion Commentary and NFL Fallout

Costas has been an outspoken critic of the NFL’s handling of concussions and CTE. His comments during NBC’s football coverage in 2012 drew national attention and reportedly led to tensions with the league. He was eventually pulled from NBC’s NFL broadcasts, a move many attributed to his willingness to speak honestly about the sport’s dangers.

Yankees Playoff Criticism (2024)

During the 2024 ALDS between the Yankees and Royals on TBS, Costas faced harsh criticism from fans who accused him of sounding disinterested and “nearly falling asleep” during a key play. The backlash was so intense that it contributed to his decision to step back from MLB play-by-play work.

Political Commentary

Costas has never shied away from expressing political opinions. In 2025, he criticized the Democratic Party’s handling of President Joe Biden, accusing them of “gaslighting” the American public. He has also warned against the dangers of “MAGA media” and the “ongoing assaults” on the free press, saying “Democracy as we know it is under attack”.

Awards & Achievements

• 29 Emmy Awards — Most among any sports broadcaster
• National Sportscaster of the Year — 8 times (record)
• Ford C. Frick Award — National Baseball Hall of Fame (2018)
• Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism — 2012
• National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame — Inducted 2012
• Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame — Inducted 2018
• Baseball Digest Lifetime Achievement Award — 2025
• Only person to win Emmys in Sports, News, and Entertainment

Physical Statistics

• Height: Approximately 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
• Hair Color: Brown (now greying)
• Eye Color: Brown
• Build: Average
• Distinguishing Features: Distinctive broadcast voice, glasses

Quotes

“You know, having a contest to see who can walk the fastest is kind of like having a contest to see who can whisper the loudest. If you’re really in that much of a hurry, run. And if you really want me to hear you, shout.”

“If we’re talking about media, you’re not an honest broker if you’re only calling fouls on one side.”

“What’s happening now are not matters of small degree. Democracy as we know it is under attack.”

Favorites

• Favorite Sport: Baseball
• Favorite Career Moment: Hosting the Olympics primetime coverage
• Favorite Interview: His conversations with Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan
• Favorite Book: Fair Ball: A Fan’s Case for Baseball (his own)
• Favorite Place: A baseball stadium on a summer evening

Earnings

Bob Costas’s estimated net worth is between $45 million and $50 million as of 2026. His wealth comes from his decades of work at NBC Sports, HBO, MLB Network, and CNN, as well as his books and speaking engagements. His annual salary during his peak NBC years was estimated at $7 million.

Interesting Facts

• Kirby Puckett Bet: Costas named his son Keith “Kirby” Costas after losing a bet to Kirby Puckett during a 1986 broadcast.
• No Social Media: Costas has never had an official Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook account and has said he’d “rather get pink eye again than join Twitter”.
• Greek Heritage: His father’s family immigrated from Athens and the island of Kalymnos.
• Late-Night Host: His 1989–1994 show “Later… with Bob Costas” featured interviews with everyone from Elie Wiesel to Woody Allen.
• Triple Crown: He co-hosted NBC’s coverage of American Pharoah’s and Justify’s Triple Crown victories.

Did You Know Already?

• Bob Costas was the youngest person to ever win National Sportscaster of the Year when he won in 1985 at age 33.
• He hosted the primetime coverage of 12 Olympic Games — an American television record.
• He is the only person in television history to win Emmy Awards in sports, news, and entertainment.
• He dropped out of Syracuse University but later received an honorary degree from the same school.
• He wrote the book Fair Ball: A Fan’s Case for Baseball, which argued for economic reform in the sport.

Social Media Links

Bob Costas does not have any official social media accounts. He has never joined Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, and has been vocal about his decision to stay off social platforms. A fake Twitter account briefly appeared in 2020, but his son quickly confirmed it was not his father’s.

For official updates, follow NBC Sports and MLB Network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Bob Costas’s career is a testament to the power of preparation, passion, and a genuine love for the games he covers. From his early days at KMOX radio in St. Louis to hosting the Olympics for a record 12 Games, he has become one of the most trusted and recognizable voices in American sports. At 74, his return to NBC Sports in 2026 proves that his story is far from over. Whether he’s calling a World Series, interviewing a legend, or sharing his unfiltered opinions on the state of sports media, Bob Costas remains a class act and a true broadcasting icon.

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