Hot mic captures Bob Costas awkwardly talking about CNN ad read

There was a moment that made it onto Monday’s New York Yankees-Kansas City Royals broadcast that you weren’t supposed to hear.

In fact, Bob Costas, who is calling the series for TBS alongside Ron Darling, probably believed he was pressing the talkback (or cough button) when he grumbled a few remarks that had nothing to do with the game. Costas seemingly had no idea that his mic was on as he broadcasted to millions of fans at home during the fifth inning of Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

As Royals pitcher Angel Zerpa had Yankees catcher Austin Wells down in the count 0-2, Costas was looking ahead to a promo he had to do. The longtime broadcaster asked aloud about doing a CNN promo, saying it put him in a difficult spot after breaking a momentary silence.

Your mic is on, Bob. pic.twitter.com/29PKqNYPNm

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 8, 2024

Now, why would that put Costas in a difficult spot?

For one, Costas is a CNN contributor, so perhaps people might think it odd that he was reading a CNN promo. There don’t appear to be any issues with CNN, but Costas may have found himself in a difficult situation reading the copy as a contributor.

It’s not every day that a broadcasting legend like Costas finds himself in an awkward position like this, but even the greats have their unscripted moments. While Costas likely didn’t mean anything controversial, hearing a veteran broadcaster break the fourth wall with some unintentional candor gave fans a glimpse behind the curtain.

If anything, people seemed to have more issues with the broadcast turning into a George Brett lovefest than Costas’ fleeting moment, which barely filled up a 15-second clip.

[MLB on TBS]