NBC taps Weisman to head “Football Night in America”

Emmy Award-winning producer Michael Weisman has been named Executive in Charge of Production for “Football Night in America,” it was announced today by Dick Ebersol, Chairman, NBC Universal Sports & Olympics.

“Michael is one of the most talented sports producers of this era,” said Ebersol. “He has an uncanny sense of how to get the best out of people and he will bring the same joy, passion and, most importantly, fun to ‘Football Night in America’ that he’s brought to his past production of the biggest events in sports television. I’m enormously happy to welcome Michael back to NBC Sports in this very important role.”

“I’m delighted to be reunited with NBC Sports and the extremely talented roster of sports broadcasters that Dick has assembled,” said Weisman. “The NFL and NBC have a rich history and we hope to enhance viewers’ enjoyment with a lively, informative and entertaining show.”

“Michael is the consummate showman and his enormous creative talent will be the perfect addition to ‘Football Night in America,'” said David Neal, Executive Producer, NBC Sports.

Weisman is reunited with “Football Night in America” host Bob Costas, who Weisman appointed host of “NFL on NBC” in 1984, Costas’ first-ever studio work.

Weisman, winner of 22 Emmy Awards, was most recently Executive Producer, NBC Universal Television Group, working closely with NBC News and other news and information programming. Last year he served as executive producer for “Olympic Ice,” USA Network’s Emmy Award-nominated daily figure skating show during the Torino Winter Olympics.

Weisman is recognized for his groundbreaking production of sporting events ranging from the World Series to the Super Bowl to the Olympics. He began his career as an NBC page in 1971; he joined NBC Sports in 1972 and was appointed Executive Producer, NBC Sports in 1982, a position he held until 1989.

Responsible for significant advances in live-television production, Weisman is best known as a producer-executive producer of high-profile sporting events, including the Rose Bowl, the Orange Bowl, Wimbledon and the NCAA basketball championships.

Weisman also introduced the first-ever, female play-by-play NFL commentator as well as the first female network sports host. He was the innovator behind the “Silent Minute” and the “Ten-Minute Ticker” for updating NFL scores, as well as the producer for the “Announcer-less Game” in the early 1980s.

Weisman’s experience extends well beyond the world of sports broadcasting to include entertainment shows, network and cable specials, talk shows, reality programs, documentaries, and even music videos.

Weisman attended the University of North Carolina on a baseball scholarship. He graduated from Queens College in New York with a bachelor of arts in radio/television.

Weisman resides in New York City with his wife, Carol, and their two children.