byLarry Eder
Image via CrunchBase
In a confirmed story, first broken in the New York Times, and then confirmed by both NBC Universal and the USOC, Dick Ebersol, the architect of modern Olympic sports coverage, from 1984 until now, has resigned from NBC.
Sources were at pains to note that this has nothing to do with Comcast’s rumored need to cut expenditures, and among the major cuts would be the Olympic involvement of the new NBC.
Ebersol’s departure is rumored to be over the remuneration of Mr. Ebersol after contract ended in 2012.
This is not an opportune time for NBC Universal to have changes as the auction, held by the IOC, for the next four Olympics is about to begin (one month from now).
Mr. Ebersol was the founding producer of the famed Saturday Night Live comedy show. Dick Ebersol is 63.
Image via Wikipedia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2011
U.S. Olympic Committee statement on Dick Ebersol
In response to news regarding Dick Ebersol’s resignation from NBC
Universal, the following statements are attributable to U.S. Olympic
Committee Chairman Larry Probst and CEO Scott Blackmun, respectively:
Probst said, “Dick Ebersol has been a true
visionary and champion of the Olympic Movement in the United States for
more than forty years. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to
work with him, get to know him, and gain insight from his unique
perspective and experience with the Olympic Games. No one has benefited
more from Dick’s lifetime of achievement than our Olympians whose
stories he has told with unrivaled dedication and passion. While I am
extremely sorry to see Dick step away from his role, I look forward to
working with Mark Lazarus and the incredibly talented NBC Olympic team
as we head to
London in 2012.”
Blackmun said, “Throughout the history
of the U.S. Olympic Movement, few people have shown the transformative
impact and the unwavering passion that we’ve seen from Dick Ebersol.
He’s been an advocate, a champion and a visionary for the power of the
Olympic spirit. Through his lens, he has told the moving stories of our
athletes time and again, bringing them to life and sharing them with
millions of fans. He leaves a legacy that will be nearly impossible to
match – one of leadership and conviction that will continue to benefit
the Olympic Movement for decades to come.”
