Move over Scott Hamilton, Tom Hammond and Sandra Bezic — NBC Sports Group has a new No. 1 figure skating broadcast team: Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski and play-by-play announcer Terry Gannon. All three previously served as commentators during NBC’s coverage of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.
See photos: 12 of the Most Dramatic Moments in Sport Movies
“Johnny, Tara and Terry were breakout TV stars in Sochi,” said Jim Bell, Executive Producer of NBC Olympics. “We’re excited that viewers will be treated to this team’s informative and entertaining commentary for many years to come, all while looking fabulous.”
The three will make their fall debut together on Oct. 26 during the 2014 Hilton HHonors Skate America, which is the first competition of the seven-event ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.
See video: Jason Sudeikis Returns as Clueless Soccer Coach, Drives ‘Bradley Mini Cooper’
Hamilton, who has provided commentary for NBC since 2002, will remain part of the broadcast team as a special contributor. The network also said Hammond would return for their 2016 Rio Olympics coverage to cover track and field.
As TheWrap previously reported, Weir and Lipinski most recently served as fashion experts for NBC Sports’ coverage of the Kentucky Derby in May and “Access Hollywood’s” coverage of the 2014 Academy Awards.
Also read: Rio’s Olympics Prep Is ‘Worst I’ve Ever Seen,’ Says Committee Vice Chairman
“I am so honored to be a part of the NBC family and I hope to bring figure skating and the Olympics into America’s living rooms for many years to come,” Weir said. “I could not have asked for a better first experience than in Sochi and along with my broadcast partners Tara and Terry. I cannot wait to start a fresh new era of commentary and analysis that will entertain and inform. I love my sport and I can’t wait to go on more Olympic journeys!”
“NBC gave us an opportunity of a lifetime in Sochi, I could not be more excited to continue this journey,” said Lipinski. “My goal is to continue educating, entertaining and bringing the incredible sport of figure skating to a new generation of fans. It is an honor to be a part of an Olympics. I cannot wait to begin and I’m lucky to have my talented co-pilots Johnny and Terry by my side. Being a part of this is a combination of all of my favorite things and I look forward to the adventures in the years ahead.”
Also read: Johnny Weir, Tara Lipinski to Serve as Oscar Fashion Correspondents for ‘Access Hollywood’
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to cover skating at the highest level on NBC with partners that are informative, unpredictable and uniquely stylish…time to upgrade my wardrobe,” Gannon said.
Weir is a three-time U.S. figure skating champion. Lipinski won a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.