As NFL teams start training camp, this becomes the time of year when Scott Hanson gets geared up for the upcoming season with the NFL Network.
Except he’s nowhere near any campsites, or even in the studio hosting the popular “NFL RedZone” — Hanson has gone from “RedZone” to “Gold Zone” as he assists with the new 2024 Summer Olympics coverage.
Who Is Scott Hanson, and What’s on ‘Gold Zone’?
NBC and Peacock have tapped the host of the whip-around NFL show to provide a similar version for the Olympic coverage.
Hanson, 53, has been with the NFL Network since 2006. Before embarking on a broadcast career, he suited up for the Syracuse Orange, playing for head coaches Dick MacPherson and Paul Pasqualoni. Hanson lined up as a long snapper, wide receiver, and defensive back under both coaches — and he teamed with a future NFL star in WR Marvin Harrison.
Hanson didn’t start his broadcast career with the NFL Network. He first immersed himself in the business by starting at Traverse City, Mich., NBC affiliate WBPN. Hanson eventually dove into the Springfield, Ill., TV market through WICS TV (a fellow NBC station) then landed in Tampa, Fla., for ABC’s WFTS. And it was the latter market where he got the chance to cover a Tony Dungy-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers team.
From 2000 to 2006, Hanson jumped to the northeast through Comcast — where he covered Philadelphia and Maryland-based pro franchises. Now, the NFL world has gotten used to Hanson’s non-stop work on “RedZone” since 2009, when the NFL Network officially launched the format.
On Sundays during the fall, Hanson provides viewers with seven straight hours of uninterrupted, commercial-free coverage of NFL games. The Olympic coverage will allow him to perform something similar. Except this time he can bounce between highlighting track and field, gymnastics, swimming, basketball, rowing, or other summer sporting events during the two weeks in France.
MORE: Bears’ Jonathan Owens On Supporting His Wife Simone Biles at Olympics
Hanson himself shared with IndieWire on Friday that “GoldZone” is going to be similar in format to what he’s known for during the fall.
“I hope to deliver those same dopamine hits that we give to our ‘RedZone’ audience to the ‘Gold Zone’ audience,” Hanson said. “If I’m going from gymnastics to swimming and doing whip-around coverage at ‘Gold Zone,’ it’s the same voice that you hear every NFL Sunday on ‘RedZone.’ Hopefully, it meshes well with this particular Olympic audience.”
How To Watch ‘Gold Zone’
Is “Gold Zone” officially up and running as competitions start heating up in Paris?
The whip-around, commercial-free program is indeed streaming now, except viewers who want to see Hanson’s coverage will need to turn to apps to watch.
“Gold Zone” is offered through Peacock for desktop, the Peacock streaming app on IOS, and through Google Play download.
Coverage of “Gold Zone” starts at 7 a.m. and stretches to 5 p.m. ET. Hanson is also not alone on camera during the coverage. He’s being joined by three more familiar names — one sharing an NFL Network connection with him.
MORE: Simulate the NFL Season With PFN’s Playoff Predictor
Andrew Siciliano, formerly of the network, is part of the panel of hosts alongside Hanson. Siciliano is additionally known for being a “RedZone” alum while also leading the play-by-play coverage of Los Angeles Rams preseason games.
Rounding out the panel with Siciliano and Hanson are former NFL defensive lineman Akbar Gbajabiamila and Matt Iseman, both of whom are popular NBC personalities as hosts of “American Ninja Warrior.” Jac Collinsworth, son of NFL receiver and commentator Cris Collinsworth, is also a member of the broadcast.
