Paul Azinger, the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports for the past five years, has parted ways with the network without even realizing that the Ryder Cup in October was his last event with them.
According to a statement from his manager, “With the golf and media landscapes now in a more challenging environment, Azinger and NBC will part ways as their current contract ends.”
Azinger, while expressing a mix of disappointment and surprise, chose not to delve into specific reasons as to why another contract wasn’t initiated. He mentioned that he was supposed to cover the Bahamas at the Hero World Challenge in December, where Tiger Woods was playing for the first time since April. The replacement for Azinger alongside NBC host Dan Hicks for the event is yet to be announced.
It’s noteworthy that NBC has also let go of Roger Maltbie and Gary Koch in the past year, both veterans with long-standing tenures at the network.
“I have treasured working beside Dan Hicks and the other talented NBC broadcasters as well as lead producer Tommy Roy and all those behind the scenes,” Azinger said. “They are a remarkable team, and I will miss them tremendously.
“I have faith in what the future holds for me, for NBC, and for the great game of golf,” he added.
An NBC spokesperson confirmed Azinger’s departure from the network and extended thanks for his contributions over the past five years.
Paul Azinger won the 1993 PGA Championship in a playoff over Greg Norman and later that year was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He began his television work in 2005 with ABC and ESPN in a unique role sharing analyst duties with Nick Faldo in the booth.
His career highlights include leading the American team to victory as the Ryder Cup captain in 2008. Additionally, Azinger joined Fox Sports as the lead analyst for the U.S. Open after ESPN lost its rights to the British Open in 2015. NBC then recruited him to replace longtime analyst Johnny Miller in 2018, all the while maintaining his role at Fox. Eventually, NBC regained the U.S. Open contract in 2020.
Azinger did not have any immediate plans except to fish at his home in Bradenton, Florida, and work with Fry/Straka Global Global Golf Course Design on the Miakka Golf Club in Florida.
