Gumbel Named Prime-Time Olympic Games Host

Bryant Gumbel, anchor of NBC’s “Today” program, will be the prime-time host of the network’s 1988 Summer Olympics coverage from Seoul, South Korea, NBC announced Monday.

NBC is expected to announce that Dick Enberg will serve as a venue host and Bob Costas will serve as a daytime host during the Olympics.

Gumbel worked for NBC Sports before becoming the “Today” anchor in 1982. He was host of the network’s pregame NFL show from 1977 through 1981, and also was host of NBC’s major league baseball and National Collegiate Athletic Assn. basketball coverage.

NBC’s coverage of the 1988 Summer Olympics will run from Sept. 15-Oct. 4. The network plans to telecast 180 hours of Olympic programming.

Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath has joined NBC as a National Football League analyst.

NBC Sports President Arthur Watson said Namath signed a multiyear contract with the network.

Namath will be paired with play-by-play announcer Marv Albert on NFL telecasts next season. The former New York Jets’ quarterback was a commentator on ABC’s Monday night football during the 1985 season.

An NBC source told The Times that Namath will make less than half the reported $800,000 he made with ABC. Watson said Namath’s salary is comparable to what other NBC football analysts make.