News broke that NBC senior analyst Paul Azinger will not be returning to the booth in 2024, sparking rumors of his possible firing.
However, sources indicate that Azinger was actually in contract negotiations for a new deal, according to Sports Illustrated.
Both NBC Sports and Azinger’s team had agreed on a schedule for the 2024 season and other terms for a one-year contract.
An official offer was made to Azinger, but it included financial terms lower than his 2018 contract when he replaced Johnny Miller as the lead analyst.
In response, the 1993 PGA Championship winner countered NBC Sports’ offer, leading the company to decide not to renew his contract.
Azinger is not the only veteran to lose his job at NBC, as veteran Golf Channel producer Brandt Packer was also let go, along with other high-profile departures in the past year.
It seems that cost-cutting is the focus for Comcast-owned NBC, evidenced by production staff not being sent to Italy for the Ryder Cup, with production being handled from their headquarters in Connecticut.
More cuts are expected for 2024, indicating further changes for the network and Golf Channel.
Next week, NBC will broadcast Tiger Woods’ return at the Hero World Challenge, but Azinger will not be in the booth. It is uncertain if Curt Byrum, who will be in the lead analyst chair alongside Dan Hicks, will be the full-time replacement or not.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. You can follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports for more golf coverage. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough too.
Daniel Miller takes readers to the greens with his passion for golf. He offers coverage of major golf tournaments, player achievements, and insights into the sport’s rich history, making him a trusted source for golf enthusiasts.
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