NBC Sports chief Dick Ebersol resigns

NEW YORK (AP) — NBC Sports Group Chairman Dick Ebersol, who helped launch “Saturday Night Live” then later established the network as the home of the Olympics, has resigned.

Richard Carrion, the IOC executive board member who negotiates U.S. rights, told The Associated Press on Thursday that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts confirmed the departure to him.

“He assured me they are 100 percent committed to the Olympics and the rights process,” Carrion said.

“It comes as a complete surprise,” he added.

A person with knowledge of the decision told the AP it came because of a contract dispute and did not involve the network’s bid for the broadcasting rights to upcoming games under its new partnership with Comcast.

The person spoke on condition on anonymity because the resignation had not yet been announced. Ebersol’s decision was first reported by The New York Times.