Peyton Manning continues to represent the post-playing career of an iconic athlete of our time.
Start your own production company. check.
Sports Emmy Award Winning Part Time Work From Home Host an NFL primetime broadcast with your brother. check.
Host the Country Music Awards. check.
check. check. check.
Now, the Olympics are coming up in July, and Manning, along with NBC Sports leader Mike Tirico and fellow host Kelly Clarkson, will be broadcasting the unique opening ceremony on the lower Seine River.
It will be the first time that the opening ceremony will be held in a stadium, instead 90 boats carrying thousands of athletes from 200 countries will float down a river in front of thousands of spectators, ending at the Eiffel Tower.
Manning and Tirico spoke. The Athletic The story of how and why Manning took this opportunity to join NBC begins with Manning telling Tirico that he didn't feel he was the right person for the job.
Manning also delved into more than just the Olympics, including the future of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in broadcasting. Manning wants Belichick for a role with Omaha Productions.
For NBC and Manning, the courtship began at the Kentucky Derby in May, when Tirico, who has known the Manning family for about a quarter of a century, broached the idea.
“I got into an argument with him about why he and NBC thought I was worthy,” Manning said. “He said he was bringing in Kelly Clarkson to give the fans perspective, and he wanted me to share the perspective of what the athletes were thinking about it.”
Manning loves the Olympics, attended the 1996 Atlanta Games, and was scheduled to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Games before COVID-19 shut down fans, so the idea immediately struck Manning. It sprouted.
The former Indianapolis Colts quarterback from 1998 to 2010 recalled riding into the Terre Haute training camp dormitory with his teammates to watch Opening Ceremony.
Tirico had a huge influence on Manning's decision-making. Manning said he wouldn't have considered Tirico if it wasn't for him. Manning said the two had been talking about working together for a long time. Tirico finally got the ball over the line, albeit only for one night.
“I couldn't be happier that they both said yes,” Tirico said of Manning and Clarkson.
On the “Manning Cast,” an alternate broadcast with his brother Eli on ESPN's “Monday Night Football,” Payton typically speaks with at least the game's coach and quarterback before each broadcast. He wants to talk to as many Olympians as possible and get their stories as if he were a reporter.
“So far, I'm very impressed because, understandably, he's been diligent in his research and preparation,” said Molly Solomon, president of NBC Olympic production.
Manning's main job remains at Omaha Productions, which has a close partnership with ESPN. Manning said ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro had agreed to allow him to work for NBC in the run-up to the Olympics.
Manning has the unique role of being an on-air performer while also serving as Omaha's GM. last week, The Athletic Reports say Manning is pursuing Belichick.
“If that happens, I think fans will be excited to see how talented Bill Belichick is when he talks about football and how witty and funny he is,” Manning said. .
The Belichick hunt is interesting because he was on the other side of Manning's rivalry with Brady, his nemesis. Brady is set to begin a 10-year, $375 million contract as FOX Sports' chief game analyst in the fall, and the season will end with a Super Bowl broadcast, but Manning is one step ahead of Brady in terms of Olympic appearances. I feel like it might be. .
Manning said that's not part of the calculation. He and Brady are friends and had talked a few weeks ago about Brady's golf event that Manning was scheduled to attend. They are now more friends than rivals.
“He asked me for advice,” Manning said of Brady, who has been in contact with many broadcasters. “I said, 'Tom, I'll be watching football in my neighbor's garage on Monday night. I don't know if I'm qualified to ask for advice on what you're trying to do. ”
Manning has never been in the broadcast booth with Tirico, but they will be together on the Seine. He had only visited Paris once, two years earlier, with his wife Ashley. This time he will bring more family members.
“Another reason I said yes is because I learned a little bit of French in high school,” Manning said. “Her mother said, 'I want you to take her to Paris one day.' And 30 years later, I'm fulfilling that promise.”
(Top photo of Peyton Manning in January 2023: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
