Report: Scott Hanson in talks with NBC for 'Gold Zone' Olympics return after NFL RedZone contract expiration

During the 2024 Tokyo Olympics, Scott Hanson and NBC had a hit with the Gold Zone broadcasts on Peacock. A return could be in the cards – and those talks are taking place as Hanson looks at free agency.

Front Office Sports’ Michael McCarthy reported Hanson is in conversations with NBC to bring Gold Zone back for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and potentially the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The show debuted this past summer during the Tokyo games and became popular among viewers as Hanson and Andrew Siciliano split duties.

NBC already announced Gold Zone would be back in 2026. Now, the discussion is about bringing Hanson back as host – and, perhaps, NFL coverage in a “wide-ranging role,” McCarthy reported. The network is set to host Super Bowl LX next season, and Football Night in America host Maria Taylor is preparing to take on NBA coverage at NBC after the new media deal kicks in next year.

News of Hanson’s talks with NBC comes as his NFL RedZone future faces some uncertainty. His contract with NFL Media expired at the end of the 2024 season, meaning he could be entering free agency. McCarthy and FOS previously reported Hanson could hit the open market, and he added Thursday talks “have stalled” between the two sides.

Could ‘NFL RedZone’ be on the move?

Scott Hanson has been the host of NFL RedZone since its inception in 2009, becoming a fan-favorite as he led the charge for “Seven Hours of Commercial-Free Football” every Sunday. However, this past year, NFL Media tested ads on the show during Week 15, leading him to apologize for using the iconic phrase before the commercials aired. He later said the show would feature, “seven hours of RedZone football” later in the year.

“As we kick off a great football weekend, I just wanted to take a quick second and apologize for using the ‘commercial-free’ catchphrase at the top of last show,” Hanson said in a video on X. “I was conflicted about it beforehand, I had a tough decision to make and I made the wrong decision. And I’m sorry.

“I try to be the best host I can possibly be. What we have shared together and what we have seen and experienced together for 16 seasons on NFL RedZone is unlike anything else. I love it. I hope to do it for 16 more years. But being a great host means being accurate, being truthful and having integrity. So I hope you consider accepting this apology.”

All the while, NFL Media is facing an uncertain future of its own. The NFL recently re-started talks with ESPN about acquiring the company, including RedZone and NFL Films, after talks quieted down, Puck News John Ourand reported. ESPN is getting ready to launch its own direct-to-consumer service, which helped spark negotiations to start back up with the NFL.

Conversations between the two sides were first reported in January 2024 about the NFL receiving an equity stake in ESPN. A year later, it appears they’re starting back up.