Ever Present (Costas), Presence (Tirico) and Presently (Finebaum) Play Out During an Interesting Week

During a busy week in the sports media world, three unrelated stories seem tied together because of personalities present as the respective protagonists.

In the story that will attract the most viewers, NBC Sports announced this week that Bob Costas would serve as host of the network's primetime Winter Olympics coverage from Feb. 6-23. It's his 10th such assignment. He'll also host late night coverage.

Since 1992, Costas, 61, has been the primetime host for every Olympics on NBC. That's six Summer Games and three Winter Games.

He's the ever-present face of the Games for many U.S. viewers and he brings an approach that works in terms of potential news and necessary storytelling -- especially with the Winter Games and sports that often do not get much exposure in the United States. With such softer fare, he's less likely to come off as overbearing or pompous, which some critics allege when he's working more mainstream sports and feels free to blur the line between hosting and taking an opportunity to opine.

That's not always an easy line and especially so for a play-by-play man, but ESPN's Mike Tirico handled such a case gracefully and professionally in a stellar example of presence earlier this week "Monday Night Football."

With the controversial non-call ending between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers, Tirico stayed on top of things as they happened. He kept viewers engaged as what was initially flagged as a pass interference penalty in the end zone on the game's final play was waved off.

The "MNF" production team had the right replays and reaction shots at the right times, and Tirico made the most of that material while working in color commentator Jon Gruden and former official Gerry Austin. And, credit Austin for being more succinct and on point than usual, even if you disagree that he agreed with/confirmed the call.

Still, it was Tirico who directed the traffic and put his partners in a position to succeed. Good work by someone from whom we've come to expect such work.

Another person who knows how to do good work, because he knows his audience, is Paul Finebaum -- and his audience will broaden significantly Monday when ESPN adds him on its satellite radio lineup. The show will air from 2 to 6 p.m. on ESPN Xtra (Channel 85).

While he was still based in Birmingham, Ala., Finebaum's flavor and style -- and honestly the flavor and style of his callers -- found acceptance among callers all over the nation when it was on satellite radio. As a result, his return should be welcomed by many who listen faithfully to satellite radio.

In addition, he enhances his brand and value at ESPN with the move. Along with the radio show that had been on air regionally, he's become an interesting and regular part of the network's college football coverage (from "College GameDay" to weekday spots on several shows) and will no doubt be a big part of whatever happens related to the launch of the SEC Network next year.