The man who has done tremendous damage on NHL on NBC broadcasts since 2006 and on Versus starting this year will do even more as Pierre McGuire has signed a new full-time contract with the NBC Sports Group. McGuire who has split time between NBC/Versus and TSN in Canada will leave the Great White North and move from his Montreal home to Connecticut where Versus’ headquarters are located.
Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette has the story directly from McGuire himself. In addition to doing games twice a week for NBC/Versus, McGuire will be in the Versus studio for one game.
In addition to working the NHL, McGuire tells Hickey that he’ll be working the Olympics for the NBC Sports Group, not just during Winter, but the Summer Games too.
“I’ve enjoyed my time with both networks and I’m grateful for the opportunities TSN and NBC have provided for me,” McGuire said. “Concentrating my efforts on the NBC and Versus gives me more family time and there are some interesting professional opportunities.”
McGuire is referring to the fact that NBC recently renewed its contract to cover the Olympic Games.
“I’ll get a chance to work on the next three summer Games and two winter Games,” McGuire said.
McGuire has been used as an Inside the Glass analyst by NBC and TSN, a concept that’s been copied by CBC and on various regional sports networks. I’m not a fan of McGuire as I’ve felt he adds nothing to the broadcasts, but obviously, I don’t run a network.
McGuire says his decision to sign with NBC was based on spending more time with his family. He will continue to work for TSN on radio and be involved in “special projects”, i.e., the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships and NHL Draft coverage.
I thank Steve Lepore of Puck The Media for tweeting the news about McGuire today.
