Inland Empire 66ers Extend Broadcasting Offer to Bob Costas

Today, as announced by the new Director of Ticket Operations & Media Relations Joey Seymour, The Inland Empire 66ers (High-A affiliate of the Angels) have extended an offer to Bob Costas to become the team's broadcast announcer for the 2013 season. While no financial details have been offered or made public, the team is serious about having Mr. Costas in their booth for the upcoming season.

Full presser details, courtesy of Joey Seymour, can be found below and at this LINK:

San Bernardino, CA- The Inland Empire 66ers are officially extending an offer to legendary sports announcer, Bob Costas, to become the Voice of the Inland Empire 66ers for the 2013 season. In a recent interview with sports columnist, Joe Posnanski, Costas stated that he still had a dream of calling an entire season of minor league baseball. According to Posnanski, "He (Costas) has often talked about a dream -- one he insists he still has, even after hosting all the Olympics and winning all the awards -- of broadcasting a full season of minor league baseball somewhere. The draw for him is the preparation, it is getting to know all the players and the manager, it is working through the daily stats and stories, it is about immersing himself in baseball."

66ers General Manager, Joe Hudson stated, "Mr. Costas is a legend and we would be honored to help him fulfill his dream of broadcasting for a minor league team here at San Manuel Stadium. Our fans would get a thrill hearing his voice and having him here at the ballpark. Mr. Costas would be very welcomed and we would make sure he feels at home as part of the 66ers organization."

Costas began his career in the early 1970s as the announcer for the Syracuse Blaze, a minor league hockey team. From 1979 - 1980, he was the play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Bulls. In 1980, he signed a deal with NBC Sports which would lead to an unrivaled career calling games for the NFL, MLB, NHL, and most prominently, the Olympic Games. Costas has even hosted several popular talk shows.

Beyond his accomplishments as a broadcaster, Costas is a devout and passionate baseball fan. In 1992, then Oakland A's manager, Tony LaRussa, allowed Costas to manage the A's in a spring training game. Hudson continued, "We will be respectful of Mr. Costas's incredibly busy schedule. However, the booth is all his, if he wants it. We know he is passionate about baseball and feel there is no better place for him than here with the Inland Empire 66ers."

At this time the 66ers are unwilling to discuss the financial terms of the proposed deal, however the club has guaranteed that if Mr. Costas accepts, he will be entitled to all the hot dogs, soda, and popcorn that he wants. Fans are encouraged to use the hashtag #HireCostas to support this proposal.

The 2013 season will kick off on Thursday, April 4, 2013 at San Manuel Stadium when the 66ers take on the Modesto Nuts. Inland Empire fans can now purchase season ticket and group packages for the 2013 season. Tickets can be purchased by calling 909-888-9922. Additional information is available online at www.66ers.com. For more information on the Inland Empire 66ers please contact Joey Seymour, Director of Ticket Operations and Media Relations, at 909-495-7638.