2015By Ken Fang on

Late on Monday, in fact it was almost Tuesday on the East Coast, Russ Thaler tweeted this news, breaking his own departure from NBC.:

Thaler was brought on board to NBC from Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in 2011 to host NBC SportsTalk on NBC Sports Network, a show which lasted until February 2013. Thaler was replaced as host by Erik Kuselias in 2012, but he was then tapped to host MLS games as well as a host on the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for NBC on CNBC or USA. He filled in on the English Premier League for Rebecca Lowe and also hosted Pro Football Talk.

Thaler also had a role on the 2012 Olympics in London serving as the boxing reporter from a chaotic venue and during the 2014 Sochi Olympics hosting Olympic Ice, an online-only show on NBCOlympics.com dedicated to figure skating.

However, now that MLS has left NBC and departed to ESPN/Fox, NBC Sports Group chose not to renew his contract once it expired.

When asked for a comment, NBC issued the standard terse statement whenever a network parts way with one of its employees:

“We wish Russ all the best.”

Thaler’s hosting reel showcasing his time at NBCSN is available on YouTube:

As you can see, Thaler hosted a multitude of events at NBC/NBCSN. Here’s hoping, he can find a new gig on another network. He was a good host on MLS and did just about everything NBC asked of him.

And Thaler is hoping he can find something down the road as well:

About Ken Fang

Ken has been covering the sports media in earnest at his own site, Fang's Bites since May 2007 and at Awful Announcing since March 2013.

He provides a unique perspective having been an award-winning radio news reporter in Providence and having worked in local television.

Fang celebrates the four Boston Red Sox World Championships in the 21st Century, but continues to be a long-suffering Cleveland Browns fan.

View all posts by Ken Fang

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