The Los Angeles Times has an article today about Steve Kornacki’s new contract with NBC Universal. It is a four-year, multimillion dollar deal. In addition to political coverage contributions to NBC and MSNBC, he will be a regular analyst for other NBC sports programs including professional football, horse racing, and the Olympics as well as statistical analysis of local NHL, NBA, and MLB teams on NBC regional sports channels. He will also develop and host a new game show for the entertainment division.
The article starts off with a description of his marathon coverage of the last presidential election including his stapled-together worn out tie, and “nerd chic style”. Here are some excerpts:
Rather than turn Kornacki into another cable news host weighing in on politics, NBCU executives agreed to a plan that would take greater advantage of his data analysis skills and pop culture appeal powered by his nerd chic style.
The Kornacki brand expansion began in early December when NBC Sports invited him to analyze the NFL playoff picture on “Sunday Night Football”; he was invited back each week for the rest of the season. Earlier this month, he joined the network’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby, where he was the only analyst on the broadcast to pick Medina Spirit, the winner that paid out at 12-1 odds.
In his new deal, Kornacki will be a regular analyst on NBC’s “Football Night in America” and the halftime report on “Sunday Night Football.” He will also be a part of the network’s Super Bowl telecast in 2022.
Good for him! Seems like a good use of his capabilities.