NBC Announcer Criticizes Olympics’ Big Air Finals as ‘Boring’ on Hot Mic
A recent broadcast of the men’s snowboarding big air finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics sparked controversy after NBC announcer Todd Richards criticized the event as “boring.” This comment was unintentionally captured by a hot mic during the live coverage.
Todd Richards’ On-Air Criticism
During the finals held on February 7, 2026, in Livigno, Italy, Richards, a former professional snowboarder, expressed his lack of enthusiasm for the event. He stated, “That was boring,” and reiterated, “The qualifier was way more exciting.” His remarks came after Japan’s Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata secured the gold and silver medals, respectively.
Performance Highlights
- Gold Medal: Kira Kimura (Japan)
- Silver Medal: Ryoma Kimata (Japan)
- Bronze Medal: Su Yiming (China)
- Fourth Place: Ollie Martin (USA), 17 years old
Ollie Martin, a promising 17-year-old from Colorado, narrowly missed the podium by finishing in fourth place. Team USA continues to seek its first medal of the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.
Richards’ Background and Legacy
This marks Todd Richards’ sixth appearance as a commentator at the Winter Olympics, highlighting his deep connection to the sport. As a former competitor, he represented Team USA during snowboarding’s Olympic debut in 1998, at the Nagano Games. Within the snowboarding community, Richards is often recognized for his contributions, particularly in the halfpipe, revolutionizing the style with influences from skateboarding.
In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame in September 2025, solidifying his status as a pioneer in the sport.
