In a tell-all interview with Golfweek, former NBC Sports lead golf analyst Paul Azinger didn’t hold back on his frustration and disappointment regarding the circumstances surrounding his departure from the network after five years.
Azinger, 63, expressed surprise at the abrupt ending of his tenure at NBC Sports, which concluded in November. While he admitted to enjoying the freedom that comes with not being a golf analyst, he voiced discontent about how his exit unfolded and revealed details in the candid interview.
Paul Azinger rips NBC in tell-all interview: ‘I’m kind of happy it ended’ https://t.co/Rqz7Y1nRbf pic.twitter.com/todJpaFzxO
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Negotiations for a one-year contract extension reportedly hit a snag over compensation, with Azinger’s proposed renewal aligning with lead announcer Dan Hicks’ contract, set to expire in late 2024. Azinger disclosed that despite apparent agreement on the extension’s duration and schedule, NBC’s offer was lower than his previous pay.
“I thought I was gonna go for about five more years to be honest. I thought I would do at least one more year and then sign a four-year deal,” Azinger stated.
Azinger expressed disappointment at the lack of communication during the negotiation process, saying, “There was no reason, it just was complicated, it’s complicated. I was like, ‘How complicated can it be, bud?’ It’s money.”
The former lead analyst voiced his dissatisfaction with NBC Sports executive vice president & president of production Sam Flood, who Azinger claimed handled the negotiations poorly. Azinger criticized Flood’s approach, stating, “Sam Flood came in and was just, you know, just an a-hole about it.”
Despite the disappointing conclusion, Azinger expressed gratitude for his time at NBC but wished for a better ending. He cited that he was “kind of happy it ended” and emphasized that he was ready to continue.
NBC/Golf Channel has yet to announce a permanent replacement for Azinger, experimenting with various analysts throughout the season. Azinger proposed Charles Barkley as a potential replacement, acknowledging the likelihood of financial constraints.
Azinger praised Barkley’s ability to connect with athletes under pressure, although he recognized the practical challenges of such a move.
