Friday, April 24, 2026
FOS Expands to TV More Details

Snoop Dogg Will Lead Olympic Hockey Alt-Cast During Men’s Quarterfinal

Sports TV networks are increasingly rolling out “alt-casts” around major sporting events.

Feb 17, 2026; Milan, Italy; Snoop Dogg looks on in the womens figure skating short program during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
James Lang-Imagn Images

Snoop Dogg is again doing it all during NBC Sports Olympic coverage.

NBC’s special Olympic correspondent will lead an alternative “Snoop-Cast” on Peacock during the third period of Team USA’s men’s hockey quarterfinal against Sweden on Wednesday. The opening face-off is scheduled for 3:10 p.m. ET. The move is part of a growing trend of networks adding alternative telecasts around the main broadcast of major sporting events.

During NBC’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, the rapper turned sportscaster became a popular figure among athletes and viewers alike. For the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games, Snoop has been all over the place again, appearing on-air with host Mike Tirico, hanging out with Olympians, and serving as a torchbearer for Team USA. 

Wearing an NBC Olympic blazer, the 54-year-old entertainer went through some of his favorite moments so far in Italy with Tirico. 

“USA hockey. Let’s go. We are the best fans. We dress for the occasion,” said Snoop Dogg over a clip of an American fan stripping down to his red, white, and blue underwear. He also visited Milan’s famed La Scala opera house with fellow Olympics commentator Martha Stewart in a segment called “Snooping Around Italy.” 

Sweden was ranked third before coming into Milan. So they’re expected to be a tough opponent if Team USA is to make it to the gold medal game.

Previously, the rapper served as a ringside commentator for the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. boxing match in 2020. He stole the show, too, with lines such as, “This is like two of my uncles fighting at the barbecue!” ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith said his commentary was the most “entertaining” part of the fight. In January, he joined NBC’s NBA announce team during a livestream of Warriors vs. Clippers on Peacock.

Using a fan favorite like Snoop for an alt-cast is a smart strategy. These telecasts tend to skew younger, attracting fans who might not watch the main game broadcast. 

For example, there’s likely to be at least three alt-casts surrounding ESPN’s first Super Bowl telecast on Feb. 14, 2027, Front Office Sports reported last week.

One would be a Super Bowl Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show, similar to the on-field alt-cast the show did during the College Football Playoff. The second would be a ManningCast with Super Bowl–winning brothers Peyton and Eli Manning. The third would be an animated alt-cast featuring Disney IP such as Star Wars, The Simpsons, Family Guy, or Cars.

ESPN would have to clear rights hurdles from the NFL. But McAfee wrote on X/Twitter those rights hurdles are “very hurdle-able.” A Super Bowl “Field-Cast” starring him and his crew would be “absolutely bonkers,” predicted McAfee.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks on field before Super Bowl LX against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
opinion

From Denials to Damage Control: Hubris Haunts Vrabel and Russini

New photos from 2020 show Vrabel and Russini appearing to kiss.

New Photos of Vrabel, Russini at NYC Bar Leak Hours Before Draft

The photos were taken at a New York City bar in 2020.
Zaslav

WBD Shareholders Approve Sale, Reject Pay Package for Zaslav

The combined company would have one of the largest sets of sports rights in the industry.

Featured Today

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 25: Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever sits on the baseline and makes photographs during the Indiana Pacers game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 25, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Why Athletes Are Moonlighting As Sports Photographers

Athletes are swapping courtside seats for sideline cameras.
Quinnipiac women's varsity rugby
April 21, 2026

The Death of Quinnipiac Women’s Varsity Rugby

The sudden decision at Ilona Maher’s alma mater left players blindsided.
April 17, 2026

The Lawyer Steering the NIL Era

In the new era of college sports, Darren Heitner is everywhere.
blake griffin
April 14, 2026

Inside Blake Griffin’s Rookie Season at Prime Video

The six-time All-Star was initially hesitant to enter the media space.

NFL Draft’s Shorter Clock Delivers Faster, Tighter First Round

The league shaves more than a half-hour from the first round.
exclusive
April 23, 2026

NWSL’s Midge Purce Says Her New Podcast Is ‘Not Chit-Chatting’

Purce is launching a new twice-monthly podcast with Vox Media.
Apr 19, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) reacts to a call by an official during the second half of game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
April 23, 2026

NBA Playoffs Opening Weekend Is Second-Most-Watched Since 2011

The opening weekend of the NBA Playoffs averaged 4.3 million viewers.
Sponsored

Why Brandon Marshall Bet on Athlete-Owned Media

Brandon Marshall on athlete media, life after football, building I AM ATHLETE.
Feb 22, 2026; Milan, Italy; United States bench react after the game-winning goal is scored by Jack Hughes (not pictured) of the United States against Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
April 23, 2026

Comcast Earnings Get Boost From Winter Olympics, Super Bowl

The NBC Sports parent company touts results from its “Legendary February.”
Jun 19, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles against the Golden State Valkyries during the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

All 44 of Caitlin Clark’s Fever Games Will Be on National TV

This season marks the first of the WNBA’s new rights deal.
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

How the Patriots Are Stage-Managing the Vrabel-Russini Fallout

Vrabel says he’ll begin counseling this weekend.
Apr 10, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
April 22, 2026

Steve Kerr Looms as Top TV Target Amid Coaching Uncertainty

Kerr previously served as TNT’s top game analyst