FIRST WORD
WE DIDN’T HIRE HIM TO TURN HIM INTO AN ANNOUNCER. WE HIRED HIM TO BE HIMSELF, AND WE’VE TALKED ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE THAT’S THE MOST VALUABLE THING HE HAS.” NBC Sports executive producer and president of production Sam Flood on Monday about retiring Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who signed a multiyear contract with NBC Universal that will take effect in January. NASCAR’s 14-time most popular driver will be heavily leveraged in multiple NASCAR platforms and possible other sports next season. The deal will give Earnhardt opportunities in other areas, such as movies, television and podcasts. Earnhardt, with 26 Cup victories, announced his retirement in April.