A snowboarding legend is facing backlash after a hot mic incident caught him talking down the big air Olympic final on Saturday.
It's the first official day of the Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Italy, and everyone bustling around the ski slopes and ice rinks is pumped about the slew of events. Well, every person except maybe one.
NBC commentator and legendary snowboarder Todd Richards was covering the big air finals on Saturday, in which Japan’s Kira Kimura came out on top. That wasn't the end of the story, however, as Richards was caught on a hot microphone following the close of the competition on a broadcast. More news: Ilia Malinin Makes Olympic History With First-Ever Figure Skating Backflip LIVIGNO, ITALY - FEBRUARY 7: Gold medalist Kira Kimura of Team Japan look on after the Men's Snowboard Big Air Final on day one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Livigno Snow Park on February 7, 2026 in Livigno, Italy. More news: Ilia Malinin Visibly Upset After Loss to Japan’s Kagiyama in Olympic Opener After a day of crashes and some of the best snowboarders failing to live up to expectations, Richards was frustrated at the climax to what was supposed to be a highlight-reel night. “That was so boring,“ he said 10 seconds after his team kicked it over to commercial on NBC and Peakcock. “Qualifer was way more exciting.“ While humorous and an honest reflection of how the competition went on Saturday, some online were upset that Richards didn't keep the Olympic spirit even when he didn't know he was being recorded. Others agreed with Richards and applauded him for his opinion, thinking the big air finals were nothing but repetitive routines and poor technical executions. Whether on or against Richards on how the snowboarding discipline final went, NBC commentators will almost assuredly be double-checking they're off air for the rest of the Olympics if they have a strong opinion on what they just witnessed.
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