The Olympics bring out the best athletes in the world for the most prestigious set of competitions in the world.
The Games also welcome in the world’s biggest stars and celebrities as both fans and members of the media. Each Olympics features thousands of athletes and hundreds of competitions, so the media must expand to cover all their bases.
Peyton Manning is one of those celebrities who will take the stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics as part of NBC’s broadcasting team. He’ll join a handful of other notable names, such as Kelly Clarkson, Snoop Dogg, and Alex Cooper.
Why did NBC choose the Hall of Fame quarterback, and what is his role with the broadcasting team? The Sporting News answers those questions below.
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Why is Peyton Manning at the Olympics?
The Olympics are the most-watched sporting event worldwide, so it only makes sense for networks to go all-in on their coverage of the Summer Games.
The 2016 Rio Olympics garnered 3.2 billion viewers across the globe, which is the most of any sporting event since 2016. Super Bowl LVII in 2023 had 113 million viewers, according to EMarketer.
Fans already tune into the Olympics at a high rate, but celebrities like Manning give them an extra incentive to stay with the broadcast. People like to see and hear familiar voices, which is often why sports fans have their favorite and least favorite commentators and networks.
NBC brings Manning in, forming a trio for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. He will join Mike Tirico and Kelly Clarkson on air, anchoring coverage of the ceremony.
Tirico began petitioning Manning to join the team during the Kentucky Derby in May 2023. Clarkson had already joined at that point.
“I kind of argued with him as to why he and NBC thought I was worthy,” Manning told The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand. “He said they were bringing in Kelly Clarkson to kind of give the perspective of the fan and wanted me to share the perspective of what these athletes are thinking about it.”
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Manning has established himself as a popular voice in the media following his Hall of Fame NFL career. He hosts the Manningcast on ESPN for Monday Night Football with his brother Eli. He’s also been in a number of commercials throughout his life.
The Hall of Fame quarterback was never an Olympian, but he’ll give a perspective to viewers that not many other players can. Manning is considered one of the best quarterbacks to play in the NFL and made several Super Bowl appearances.
Manning will also have a role as a reporter and is planning to speak with multiple Olympians. He’ll share their stories with the world via NBC.
“Kelly and I are both fans of the athletes and the opening ceremonies of years past,” Manning told The Associated Press. “I think there’ll be a lot of emotions for these athletes. I look forward to finding out those stories between now and July and maybe sharing that with the audience.”
Molly Solomon, the executive producer and president of NBC’s Olympic productions, told Marchand that she’s been “impressed” with Manning so far.
“So far, Iโve been so impressed because, not surprisingly, heโs a maniac for research and preparation,โ Solomon said.
