NBC Golf announced Changes to the PNC Championship analyst lineup
A new voice is stepping into the spotlight at NBC Golf.
Kevin Kisner’s?
Dan Hicks, the play-by-play man for NBC, made the announcement on Sunday at the PNC Championship that Kisner would be joining the network for its first two marquee broadcasts of the 2024 PGA Tour season: the WM Phoenix Open as well as the Sentry Tournament of Champions. The employing, promoted for the time being as a tryout, denotes an unexpected expansion for NBC, which reported last month that it was heading out in different directions from lead examiner Paul Azinger following five years. NBC has been attached to both long-lasting expert Paul McGinley and 2006 U.S. Open victor Geoff Ogilvy lately.
In a Sunday press release, NBC Golf lead producer Tommy Roy stated, “I have always found Kevin to be very forthright, honest, and fearless when sharing his thoughts and opinions about the game, whether it’s in a conversation on the driving range or during his pre- and post-round press conferences.” We figure his style will make an interpretation of well to the watchers at home and we’re eager to have him join the NBC Sports broadcast group at the Guard and the WM Phoenix Open.”
Kisner, a beloved podcast guest and frequently one of the most entertaining golf quotes, is an intriguing choice for at least the first two events of ’23 at the top of the NBC Golf food chain. A proud voice and clever character, Kisner will be a famous voice among the two players and watchers while his playing future remaining parts being referred to. The four-time Tour champion was denied entry into the Tour’s “signature events” series in 2023 because he did not rank among the top 200 players in the FedEx Cup standings. He still has his PGA Tour card and could potentially compete at 39 years old. However, the NBC job could be an opportunity to forge a career after playing golf.
“I’m eager to have this open door with NBC Sports to watch the sport of golf from the opposite side and remark on the thing I’m seeing on the course,” Kisner said in a similar delivery.
Although NBC sources have indicated that the network does eventually intend to hire a full-time candidate, it is unclear whether the network will hire a lead analyst before the start of the 2024 season. It is also unknown if Kisner will be considered for the full-time position, which would be a significant step for a player who has never worked in television, or if the network will be auditioning him for a position similar to the on-course reporter roles held by former players who went on to become broadcasters Colt Knost and Smylie Kaufman.
For the time being, the hire gives NBC’s coverage of golf a boost at a crucial moment for the network and its PGA Tour partners. The Visit stays buried in a continuous fight with LIV Golf that takes steps to overturn the worth of its media freedoms arrangements and poach important television evaluations from NBC and CBS. Even though a new voice won’t change the minds of millions of viewers, Kisner might inject some much-needed life into a show that has struggled in recent years with too many commercials and a lack of content.
The announcement comes just a few weeks after the Associated Press first reported that NBC would not be renewing its contract with Azinger after five years in the lead chair position. Azinger’s flight was vital, especially taking into account his ancestor Johnny Mill operator’s 29-year residency ahead of the pack seat, yet it missed the mark concerning amazing. The previous U.S. Ryder Cup chief’s residency as NBC lead expert frequently fell under analysis for his overreliance on folksy, sense driven examiners — a propensity that frequently contradicted effectively open realities or data. Lately, Azinger showed a rising inclination to reprimand “golf media” from the stall, an inquisitive decision considering his own job as ostensibly golf’s most persuasive media voice.
Azinger said in a statement at the time, “I have treasured working alongside Dan Hicks and the other talented NBC broadcasters, as well as lead producer Tommy Roy and all those behind the scenes.” They are a remarkable group, and I will greatly miss them. My gratitude to them and the endless other people who have upheld me and aided me en route during my work in TV. I have confidence in what’s on the horizon for me, for NBC, and for the extraordinary round of golf.”
Kisner’s tryout is also the latest development in a long line of changes for NBC’s golf coverage. Last year, longtime hosts Gary Koch and Roger Maltbie left, and Kaufman and Curt Byrum joined. NBC is moving toward the center of a nine-year media freedoms concurrence with the PGA Visit that goes through the decade’s end. In addition to other agreements with the USGA and R&A for the rights to the U.S. Open and Open Championship, the agreement stipulates that NBC will pay the Tour close to $400 million annually for the privilege of broadcasting its events.
