Scott Hanson in Talks With NBC As NFL Network Negotiations Stall

NFL RedZone host Scott Hanson is in talks with NBC Sports about a wide-ranging job that could include Olympics and NFL coverage.

Hanson’s contract with NFL Media expired after the NFL season, sources tell Front Office Sports. The 53-year-old free agent was one of the breakout stars of NBCUniversal and Peacock’s Paris Olympics coverage this summer, serving as lead host of the Gold Zone whiparound highlights show. 

NBC is eying Hanson to return as Gold Zone’s primary primetime host for the 2026 Winter Olympics and possibly the 2028 Summer Olympics, say my sources.

Hanson drew rave reviews for his work during the Paris Olympics. Molly Solomon, president of NBC Olympics production, praised his enthusiastic narration of Olympic action (Hanson got so excited at one point that he cut his hand banging it on the desk).

“Scott brought his inimitable enthusiasm and energy to Gold Zone. NFL fans loved watching him transfer his ‘all-in’ mentality from football Sundays to the Paris Olympics,” she told FOS in a September 2024 statement. “Each of our four hosts brought his own unique personality to the show, and Scott was certainly a key contributor to our process of re-imagining how Gold Zone could be experienced and consumed going forward.”

As John Green, bestselling author of “The Fault in Our Stars,” tweeted: “I’ve taken a lot of drugs in my life but I’ve never taken a drug like Peacock’s Olympic Gold Zone. What a rush.” 

Meanwhile, Hanson is still in negotiations to return to NFL Media, where he’s hosted the popular NFL RedZone since its inaugural season in 2009. However, the talks have stalled, said sources, amid negotiations for ESPN to take over NFL Media and NFL RedZone. If Hanson leaves NFL Media, I could see fellow Syracuse alumnus Andrew Siciliano taking his spot on NFL RedZone. Siciliano hosted DirecTV’s rival Red Zone channel from 2005 to 2023. But if ESPN gains control, I could also see the network searching its deep bench of NFL talent for a new host.

On Wednesday, NBC announced that Gold Zone and multiview will return next year along with an evening show dubbed Primetime in Milan, featuring top stars, events, and stories.

During his long run on NFL RedZone, Hanson has become one of the faces of the league. There’s an intriguing possibility he could also be hosting NFL coverage again if he joins NBC.

Maria Taylor, host of Sunday Night Football, could also host NBC’s new NBA coverage starting in the 2025–2026 season. If Taylor leaves the host chair on SNF, that would open up one of the highest-profile hosting jobs in sports media for Hanson. NBC is on deck to broadcast Super Bowl LX from Santa Clara on Feb. 8, 2026.

FOS first reported Hanson could test free agency in September. NBC declined to comment on this story. Hanson, who recently signed with Athletes First for representation, could not be reached.