Behind The Mic: NFL Reporter Peter King Retiring, NBC Sports Honors His Legacy on Air
Behind The Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week’s edition: ESPN hires Jorge Castillo to cover New York baseball; Luke Donald to cover PGA Tour for CBS Sports; and more.
Veteran NFL Reporter and Columnist Peter King Retiring
Legendary pro football columnist Peter King has announced his retirement from full-time writing.
King broke the news to readers in his weekly “Football Morning in America” column for NBC Sports, calling himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth.” King is calling it quits after 44 years as a sportswriter, covering the last 40 Super Bowls and writing his weekly column − which was originally called “Monday Morning Quarterback” when it began at Sports Illustrated − for the past 27 years. King has been a contributor on NBC Sports Football Night in America since 2006.
An Appreciation of Peter King From His NBC Sports Colleagues
Peter King’s NBC Sports colleagues share their appreciation following his retirement announcement this morning after a 44-year career as a sportswriter and more than 27 years writing his weekly Monday morning NFL column.
King joined NBC Sports exclusively in 2018, writing his FMIA column, presenting The Peter King Podcast, making weekly appearances on PFT Live and contributing to Football Night in America.
Following are quotes from King’s NBC Sports colleagues on his retirement announcement:
Cris Collinsworth, Analyst, Sunday Night Football: “From his days as the beat reporter in Cincinnati to his brilliant career at Sports Illustrated and NBC, not many people have known Peter King longer nor respected him more. In an era where it is harder to find reporting to trust, the loss of Peter’s voice in football will create a chasm not easily filled. Peter, we love, respect, and admire all that you represent in our profession. We all wish you and Ann a glorious next chapter in one of our all-time favorite books.”
Rick Cordella, President, NBC Sports: “Peter is the best pro football writer of all time. No one brought fans closer to the inner workings of the National Football League. And he did it with his unique brand of storytelling, like a friend telling you about their trip, only it was to Oxnard, Calif., or Bryant College.”
Sam Flood, Executive Producer & President, Production, NBC Sports: “Writing a must-read column each week for nearly three decades takes a special talent. Peter King is that and so much more. A star reporter and writer who can talk to most anyone in the NFL at any time, Peter is both passionate about his work and compassionate in the way he goes about it. Since 2006, we’ve been lucky to work closely with Peter, first on Football Night in America and for the last six seasons as the home of his Monday morning column. Peter, we thank you for your dedication and wish you the best in your adventures to come. Look forward to toasting you and your Beernerdness with a bottle of Bud.”
Fred Gaudelli, Executive Producer, NFL, NBC Sports: “For as long as I’ve been associated with NFL telecasts, Peter King has been the sport’s foremost writer. Through his many relationships, he’s taken us inside the game’s most memorable characters and unforgettable plays, and when he had to, he held all to account. No one has served NFL fans more faithfully and consistently over the course of his career. Monday Morning Quarterback and Football Morning in America were appointment reads, and it’s strange to think of a world without them. I just wish Peter a retirement as fulfilling has his professional career and hope he’ll bang the keyboard a few times a season to satiate his fans.”
Mike Tirico, Play-by-Play, Sunday Night Football: “Monday mornings just will not be the same. Peter’s column had it all – a walk through history, a trip behind the curtain, travelogue, coffee and beer suggestions and just common sense. His column was one that as you read it, you could almost hear it in Peter’s distinct voice. It was an honor to be a teammate and even one-time vacation fill-in for The King. Congratulations and thank you Peter…there is no one like you.”
ESPN Hires Major League Baseball Reporter Jorge Castillo to Cover New York Yankees and New York Mets
ESPN has hired journalist Jorge Castillo as its newest Major League Baseball writer ahead of the upcoming 2024 MLB regular season. He starts in his new role covering the New York Yankees and New York Mets with ESPN.com today.
An in-depth storyteller with a passion for baseball, Castillo joins ESPN after spending nearly six years with the Los Angeles Times, first as a Los Angeles Dodgers beat writer and then as an enterprise reporter.
“As someone who grew up consuming everything ESPN, this opportunity is truly a dream come true for me,” Castillo says. “I’m honored to join such a great baseball crew and excited to work with so many talented people.”
Based in New York, Castillo will contribute news, analysis, storytelling and live event coverage on the Yankees and Mets, with additional coverage of national MLB storylines throughout the season and postseason. He will also contribute on TV and radio.
Rachel Ullrich, ESPN Deputy Editor, ESPN.com adds: “We’re thrilled to welcome Jorge to ESPN’s baseball team. He’s covered some of baseball’s biggest franchises in some of its toughest markets, and we expect nothing less from him in New York. We can’t wait to add his incredible reporting, thoughtful analysis and creative storytelling to our talented team.”
In addition to his time with the Los Angeles Times, he previously covered the Washington Nationals and Washington Wizards for the Washington Post. He also spent time at The New York Times and The Star-Ledger covering baseball. A graduate of Yale University, he is originally from Massachusetts.
Luke Donald to Serve as Analyst for NBC Sports’ PGA Tour Coverage at Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches and Arnold Palmer Invitational
Winning European Ryder Cup captain and former World No. 1 player Luke Donald will serve as NBC Sports’ lead analyst for its coverage of the PGA TOUR Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches and the Arnold Palmer Invitational across NBC, GOLF Channel and Peacock.
Donald is a five-time winner on the PGA TOUR, including the 2006 edition of the Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches, formerly known as the Honda Classic. Most recently, Donald captained the 2023 European Ryder Cup team to victory against the American team at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club last fall.
“I love the game of golf so I’m so thankful to have been given this opportunity and chance to take on the role of lead analyst for NBC Sports over the next two weeks, combining my passion for the sport with my knowledge as a player to deliver inside-the-ropes insight to the national U.S. audience,” says Donald. “This is a significant opportunity for me, and I’m eager to bring my perspective to the coverage while, at the same time, learning from my fellow broadcast and production team members.”
“Luke certainly boasts impressive playing credentials as a former No. 1 player in the world,” says Tommy Roy, lead producer for NBC Sports’ golf coverage. “Beyond his play, I was impressed with how Luke excelled in the intense role of Ryder Cup captain last year, providing strong and thoughtful answers to the media throughout his press conferences and interviews. We think Luke will bring all of that to the broadcast booth and we look forward to him joining our team at PGA National and Bay Hill.”
Donald will make his debut this Thursday alongside the broadcast team of Dan Hicks, Brad Faxon, Curt Byrum, Steve Sands, John Wood, Smylie Kaufman and Damon Hack.
The Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches is the second of seven consecutive PGA TOUR events airing on NBC through early April, including next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational (March 7-17) and The PLAYERS (March 14-17). Live coverage from PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., begins this Thursday, February 29, at 2 p.m. ET on GOLF Channel and Peacock.
