Last July, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and NBC Sports announced the popular NASCAR driver would join the network as an analyst for the 2018 NASCAR season. Earnhardt’s contract with NBC Universal allows him to be used on a wide range of platforms which will be on full display over the course of the next few weeks.
With the start of the NASCAR season around the corner, NBC will first use Earnhardt on the network’s coverage of Super Bowl LII on Sunday, February 4, followed by the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, beginning Thursday, February 8.
“I’m excited to get to work with my new NBC family. Beginning with two huge events like the Super Bowl and Olympics, right out of the gate, should be quite the introduction. I’m looking forward to raising the profile of NASCAR, and all that we’re going to be doing during the 2018 season, said Dale Earnhardt Jr.
With two weeks leading up to the big game to analyze the Super Bowl, networks try to get creative and attract a broader audience. Adding Dale Earnhardt Jr., who was voted by fans as NASCAR’s most popular driver for 15 consecutive years, to their Super Bowl and Olympic coverage is an interesting way of jump-starting his media career.
His exact role in Minnesota was not defined, but NBC states Earnhardt will “share his great sense of adventure” participating in outdoor events and activities. In terms of the Olympics, Earnhardt will be connected with speed skating and bobsled events, providing analysis by comparing the sports with race car driving.
“We can’t wait to get Dale’s take on what is one of the most compelling aspects of the Winter Games – sports that offer a mix of speed with the prospect of danger, an equation that he knows very well. But instead of the turns at Daytona, it’s the downhill, the luge, and the short track oval. And I think he will have something unique to offer about the need for speed on snow and ice,” said Jim Bell, President, NBC Olympics Production and Programming.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
