History of Mike Tirico in Timeline

Mike Tirico is a prominent American sportscaster known for his versatility across various sports. He currently serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC Sunday Night Football and is slated to lead NBC's NBA coverage starting in 2025. He is also the primary primetime host for NBC's Olympic coverage and hosts the Triple Crown races. Previously, he was a play-by-play announcer for ESPN's Monday Night Football from 2006 to 2015. Throughout his career, Tirico has covered a wide array of sports, including NBA, NHL, college football and basketball, golf, tennis, and World Cup soccer, establishing himself as a leading voice in sports broadcasting.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 13, 1966: Birth of Mike Tirico

On December 13, 1966, Michael Todd Tirico was born. He is an American sportscaster.

1988: Graduation from Syracuse University

In 1988, Mike Tirico graduated from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and was the first recipient of the Robert Costas scholarship.

1991: Joined ESPN

In 1991, Mike Tirico joined ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor after working as sports director at WTVH in Syracuse, New York. He was also the first host on ESPNews.

1992: Employment Suspension

In 1992, Mike Tirico faced an employment suspension for three months due to misconduct involving sexual harassment and stalking allegations.

1993: Hosted on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown

From 1993 to 2001, Mike Tirico hosted studio coverage of ESPN and ABC covered events, including a stint on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown.

1997: Handled Play-by-Play for College Football

From 1997 to 2005, Mike Tirico handled the play-by-play for ESPN's Thursday night college football package, college basketball coverage from 1997 to 2002, and golf coverage for ESPN/ABC from 1997 to 2015.

1999: Moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan

Since 1999, Mike Tirico and his wife Debbie have lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

2000: Subject in Mike Freeman's Book

In 2000, Mike Tirico was one of the subjects covered in Mike Freeman's book "ESPN: An Uncensored History".

2001: End of ESPN's Monday Night Countdown Hosting

From 1993 to 2001, Mike Tirico hosted studio coverage of ESPN and ABC covered events, including a stint on ESPN's Monday Night Countdown.

2002: Handled Play-by-Play for NBA Coverage

From 2002 to 2016, Mike Tirico handled NBA coverage and golf coverage for ESPN/ABC from 1997 to 2015.

2005: End of College Football Package

2006: Began calling NBA games

During his career with ESPN, Mike Tirico has called most of NBA games with Hubie Brown starting in 2006.

2006: Play-by-play Announcer on ESPN's Monday Night Football

From 2006 to 2015, Mike Tirico served as a play-by-play announcer on ESPN's Monday Night Football.

September 20, 2007: Hosted The Mike Tirico Show

On September 20, 2007, Mike Tirico began hosting The Mike Tirico Show on ESPN Radio with co-host Scott Van Pelt.

2007: Guest Host on Pardon the Interruption

In 2007, Mike Tirico appeared as a guest host on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption, filling in for Michael Wilbon, alongside Tony Kornheiser.

May 2008: The Mike Tirico Show Renamed

In May 2008, The Mike Tirico Show was renamed Tirico & Van Pelt.

May 19, 2009: Left ESPN Radio

On May 19, 2009, Mike Tirico announced he would be leaving The Mike Tirico Show to focus more on his television duties.

2009: Anchored 2009 U.S. Open (tennis)

In 2009, Mike Tirico anchored the U.S. Open (tennis).

2010: Co-Anchored 2010 FIFA World Cup

In 2010, Mike Tirico co-anchored the FIFA World Cup.

2011: Worked on Outback Bowl

In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Mike Tirico worked with Jon Gruden on Monday Night Football and also the Outback Bowl and Orange Bowl in 2011 and 2012.

2012: Worked on Outback and Orange Bowl

In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Mike Tirico worked with Jon Gruden on Monday Night Football and also the Outback Bowl and Orange Bowl in 2011 and 2012.

2013: Worked on Outback Bowl

In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Mike Tirico worked with Jon Gruden on Monday Night Football and also the Outback Bowl and Orange Bowl in 2011 and 2012.

2014: NBC Planned for Life After Bob Costas

Following the 2014 Winter Olympics, NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus explained that the division had begun to "think about what life after Bob might be".

2014: Worked on Outback Bowl

In 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Mike Tirico worked with Jon Gruden on Monday Night Football and also the Outback Bowl and Orange Bowl in 2011 and 2012.

2014: Co-Anchored 2014 FIFA World Cup

In 2014, Mike Tirico co-anchored the FIFA World Cup.

2015: End of Golf Coverage

From 2002 to 2016, Mike Tirico handled NBA coverage and golf coverage for ESPN/ABC from 1997 to 2015.

2015: End of Monday Night Football Announcer Role

From 2006 to 2015, Mike Tirico served as a play-by-play announcer on ESPN's Monday Night Football.

May 8, 2016: Last NBA game

Mike Tirico called his last NBA game on May 8, 2016, during the second round of the 2016 NBA playoffs.

May 9, 2016: Announcement of Joining NBC Sports

On May 9, 2016, it was officially announced that Mike Tirico would join NBC Sports effective July 1, 2016.

June 30, 2016: Last Day on ESPN

On June 30, 2016, Mike Tirico signed off for the last time on ESPN during the coverage of the UEFA Euro 2016 soccer tournament.

July 1, 2016: Effective Date of Joining NBC Sports

On July 1, 2016, Mike Tirico officially joined NBC Sports.

November 2016: Filling in for Al Michaels on Sunday Night Football

In November 2016, NBC announced that Mike Tirico would perform play-by-play with Cris Collinsworth on three Sunday Night Football games (including the Thanksgiving primetime game) and one Thursday Night Football game, filling in for Al Michaels.

2016: End of NBA Coverage

From 2002 to 2016, Mike Tirico handled NBA coverage and golf coverage for ESPN/ABC from 1997 to 2015.

2016: Hired by NBC Sports

In 2016, Mike Tirico left ESPN after 25 years and was hired by NBC Sports. He debuted during NBC's coverage of the 2016 Open Championship.

2016: NBC's Broadcasts of the 2016 Summer Olympics

In August of 2016, Mike Tirico served as a studio host and contributor for NBC's broadcasts of the Summer Olympics from Rio de Janeiro.

2016: Filled in for Al Michaels

In a similar move to 2016, Tirico filled in for Al Michaels on a few Sunday Night Football games during the 2020 season.

February 9, 2017: Bob Costas Retires

On February 9, 2017, Bob Costas announced his retirement as the primetime host of NBC's coverage of the Olympics, with Mike Tirico replacing him.

May 31, 2017: Replaced Al Michaels for Thursday Night Football

On May 31, 2017, it was announced that Mike Tirico would permanently replace Al Michaels as the play-by-play commentator for all of NBC's Thursday Night Football games. He also took over Tom Hammond's role in Triple Crown coverage.

2017: Won Marty Glickman Award

In 2017, Mike Tirico won the Marty Glickman Award for Leadership in Sports Media from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

2017: Play-by-play for Notre Dame Football on NBC

Since the beginning of the 2017 season, Mike Tirico has served as play-by-play for Notre Dame Football on NBC, partnering with Doug Flutie and later Tony Dungy.

2018: Replaced Costas as the Host of the Winter Olympics

Beginning at the 2018 Winter Olympics, Mike Tirico replaced Bob Costas as the primetime host of NBC's coverage of the Olympics. Tirico also replaced Costas as studio host for NBC's NFL coverage and Football Night in America.

2018: Contribution to the 2018 Winter Olympics

In 2018, Mike Tirico skipped Super Bowl LII to prepare for the Winter Olympics and contributed to NBC's pregame coverage from Pyeongchang.

February 20, 2019: First NHL Game as Commentator

On February 20, 2019, Mike Tirico called his first NHL game on NBCSN's Wednesday Night Hockey, between the Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings, with Eddie Olczyk and Brian Boucher.

2020: Filled in for Al Michaels

During the 2020 season, Mike Tirico filled in for Al Michaels on a few Sunday Night Football games.

2020: Hosted 2020 NHL Winter Classic

Starting in January of that year, Mike Tirico hosted the 2019 NHL Winter Classic and 2020 NHL Winter Classic.

2021: Drew Brees Joined

In 2021, Drew Brees joined NBC Sports as Mike Tirico's partner for Notre Dame games and on Football Night in America with Tirico and Dungy.

September 2022: Acknowledged African American Father

In September 2022, Mike Tirico acknowledged that his father is African American.

2022: Hosted 2022 Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LVI

In 2022, Mike Tirico hosted the Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LVI.

2022: Replaced Al Michaels on NBC Sunday Night Football

In 2022, Mike Tirico replaced Al Michaels as the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC Sunday Night Football.

2025: Becoming Lead Play-by-Play Announcer for NBA Coverage

Coinciding with NBC's return to broadcasting NBA games, Mike Tirico was named NBC's lead play-by-play announcer for its NBA coverage starting in 2025.