The post-NFL career of Peyton Manning has forayed into a successful tenure in media.
But even for someone as accomplished as Manning, his latest venture is a prominent next step.
Manning is set to join NBC’s Mike Tirico in Paris this summer to help anchor the network’s coverage of the Olympic opening ceremony. Manning won’t be the only prominent sidekick to Tirico on the broadcast. NBC also will have Grammy Award-winning singer Kelly Clarkson as part of the network’s television coverage of the ceremony. The trio announced the news on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday night.
Manning also spoke with Andrew Marchand of The Athletic about how the arrangement came about, mentioning that Tirico first began courting him for the role last May at the Kentucky Derby.
“I kind of argued with him as to why he and NBC thought I was worthy,” Manning told 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.”
As for Tirico, he was thrilled he was able to convince both Manning and Clarkson to join the telecast.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled that they both said yes,” Tirico told Marchand.
Manning has been a staple during ESPN’s Monday Night Football telecasts over the past couple seasons, as he hosts an alternate ManningCast broadcast with brother Eli. Manning also leads Omaha Productions, a company that has a close partnership with ESPN.
Even in the context of Manning’s accomplished media career, this summer’s Olympics coverage might be Manning’s most significant role yet.
The opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is scheduled for July 26.
