NBC broadcaster Todd Richards had a moment to forget at the Winter Olympics after a hot mic caught him describing the men’s snowboarding big air finals as ‘so boring’ live on air.
Richards, a former professional snowboarder, was calling the big air finals in Italy for Comcast streaming service Peacock on Saturday when the embarrassing blunder occurred.
After seemingly thinking the broadcast had cut to a commercial break, the 56-year-old could be heard saying: ‘That was boring. That was so boring. Qualifier was way more exciting.’
In the event, Japan’s Kira Kimura and Ryoma Kimata claimed the gold and silver medals, with defending champion Su Yiming of China settling for bronze this time around. American sensation Ollie Martin, 17, just missed the podium in fourth.
But Richards still stands by his assessment that the finals were ‘boring’ – despite not intending to voice it on live TV.
Alongside a lengthy video message explaining his opinion, he wrote on Instagram: ‘Figured I should address the “hot mic” moment after the event.
NBC’s Todd Richards was caught describing the Olympic men’s snowboarding big air finals (pictured) as ‘so boring’ by a hot mic
Richards, an ex-pro snowboarder, took to social media to insist he stands by that assessment
‘This is nothing I wouldn’t say to a reporter or in public. It was my opinion based on what I saw in the qualifier vs the final medal round.
‘Not one word I said had anything to do with a rider in this event. I feel like I shouldn’t have to say that, but I am. They all rule.’
Richards’ viral hot-mic moment came at the sixth Winter Olympics he has worked as a commentator.
The Massachusetts snowboarder represented Team USA when the sport made its debut at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan and won multiple titles throughout his career.
He was also dubbed a ‘pioneer of the halfpipe’ after bringing a skateboarding style to the event.
Back in September, Richards was inducted into the US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame.
