How Snoop Dogg became the King of the 2024 Olympics – a timeline
Rumoured to be earning $500,000 a day for simply showing up and being himself, Snoop has become the unofficial mascot of the Olympics. But what exactly is he doing there? And how did he get involved?
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SNOOP DOGG didn’t know much about horses. That was, until he paid a visit to the dressage final at the Château de Versailles – dressed for the occasion and matching with bestie Martha Stewart – that the 52-year old rapper struck what seemed to be an immediate bond with the animal. In a viral video uploaded to X [formerly Twitter], Snoop was captured breaking into some moves alongside the steed, endearing online spectators to the power, heart, fresh takes and droll wit the rapper has brought the Olympics. In less than two weeks, he has become the unofficial Olympics MVP to end all unofficial MVPs.
In his new role as a “special correspondent” covering the Paris Olympics for American TV network NBC, Snoop has been popping up at all sorts of events promoting Team USA and providing his inimitable commentary. On the stands, he’s been sporting custom T-shirts with the faces of American Olympians like gymnast Simone Biles and tennis-pro Coco Gauff. Segments he’s shot for the Today Show have seen him bring Michael Phelps out of retirement for a one-on-one swimming lesson, and a sparring sesh with fencer Miles Chamley-Watson.
While Snoop is busy bringing a new face to sports commentary (we can’t help but wonder which major sporting event he’ll materialise at next), it can’t be forgotten that his ubiquity around the Games has earned him a six-figure sum a day rate. He may be loving every moment of it, but in the end, this is a business trip.
Read more of Esquire’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics:
The unofficial MVPs of Paris 2024, so far
All the Australian Olympic medals won at Paris 2024, so far
The richest athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ranked
The countries that pay their athletes for winning Olympic medals
Underrated and underappreciated: 10 niche Olympic sports to watch at Paris 2024
Which nation has the most stylish Olympic uniform?
How much is Snoop Dogg getting paid for the Paris Olympics?
According to a tweet from Henry McNamara, a partner at Great Oaks Venture Capital in New York, Snoop Dogg is getting paid $500,000 (roughly $766,000 AUD) by NBC per day to ‘commentate’ at the Olympics. Cumulatively, Snoop will earn $8 million ($12.25 million AUD) for all 16 days of the Olympics.
Sat next to an NBC exec at dinner, he said Snoop gets paid $500k a day plus expenses to be here promoting Olympics. From Gin and Juice to a few million to be a celebrity at the Olympics – what a world
— henrylmcnamara (@henrylmcnamara) August 4, 2024
Why is Snoop Dogg at the Paris Olympics?
In a statement released at the end of 2023, NBC announced that Snoop Dogg would be delivering regular reports as a “special correspondent” of the Paris Olympics in a Primetime slot. Paris would mark his second Olympic stint with the broadcaster, the first (and his shot to commentary fame) being his appearance on the network alongside comedian Kevin Hart during the 2021 Tokyo Games. Drawing in millions of viewers, it was the Snoop’s droll observations and inimitable style that earned him a gold medal in sports commentary.
In his new role, Snoop has been making appearances on the Today Show alongside sports commentator Mike Tirico, talking highlights and recaps from Team USA. Other notable appearances saw him fitted out in an equestrian kit at the dressage events with Martha Stewart, as well as linking up with tennis legend Billie Jean King for the men’s singles.
Snoop Dogg’s journey to Paris 2024: A timeline
2021: “The Horse Crip Walking Cuz”: Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart commentate at the Tokyo Olympics
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics marked Snoop’s first stint commentating for NBC alongside comedian Kevin Hart, where the pair hosted a highlights program. During a dressage event, Snoop was astonished by the similarities between the event and the Crip Walk dance routine from his 2004 Drop It Like It’s Hot music video. “Oh, the horse is Crip Walking, you see that? On the set! That’s gangster,” Snoop said to his co-host. The rapper also followed up his commentary with the questions that really matter: “Do the horses get medals, too?” It was probably at this moment that NBC execs realised they might be onto something.
December 31, 2023: NBC announces Snoop Dogg’s Primetime coverage of the Paris Olympics
Following his breakout appearance as an Olympic correspondent in the 2021 Tokyo Games, NBC announced his return, only this time with greater insider access. “He’ll explore the city’s iconic landmarks, attend Olympic competitions and events, and visit with the athletes, their friends, and families,” the broadcaster wrote in a statement.
Fast forward to June 2024, and Snoop made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (which is also part of NBC), fitted out in his Team USA kit, to promote his role covering the Games.
June 24, 2024: Running in the Olympic Trials
If you have tuned into the Olympics and wondered why Snoop Dogg was even there (what did you the rapper have to do with sport? You might’ve thought), spectators at the Olympic Trials were also just as mystified.
Snoop made is Hayward Field debut on the second day of the US Olympic Track & Field Trials, even having a go at the 200m event clocking in at 34.44 seconds. Not bad for a guy that admits to spending most of his days high.
July 25, 2024: Snoop Dogg attends the Prelude To The Olympics at Fondation Louis Vuitton
On the eve of the Olympics, Snoop was seen at the Prelude To The Olympics event hosted by premium sponsor LVMH. Inside the Frank Gehry-designed museum, clad in a gold lamé snakeskin jacket, Snoop rubbed shoulders with other celebrities in town for the Games, as well as athletes and NBC colleague Hoda Kotb.
July 26, 2024: Snoop Dogg, Olympic torchbearer
As is tradition, the Olympic flame is first lit in the ancient site of Olympia in Greece, before making its way to the year’s host country via a network of torchbearers. On its final leg in Paris on the day of the Opening Ceremony, Snoop carried the flame through Saint-Denis, a suburb in the city’s north.
Though he delivered the flame with the swagger and moves he’s known for, when asked about what being a torchbearer meant to him, his answer showed reverence for the occasion. “The torchbearer is a peace messenger, the one who delivers peace. So it fits who I am.”
@relentlessrocksolid Snoop Dogg dancing with Simone Biles
♬ original sound – Rock-Solid
July 28, 2024: Impromptu dance party with gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles
Watching the women’s gymnastics qualifying round on day two, Team USA gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles spotted Snoop Dogg in the stands. Giddy to have the rapper attend their performance, the two broke into some moves with Snoop. Was Snoop Dogg a lucky charm? Team USA qualified with an impressive score of 172.296, making Biles the most decorated American gymnast at the all-round final later that week.
July 29, 2024: A legends-only link up with Billie Jean King
Snoop linked up with tennis legend Billie Jean King as they watched Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the men’s singles second round. At this point, we’re starting to see just how extensive Snoop’s Olympics wardrobe is: wearing Team USA T-shirts with various athletes printed on them for whatever event he’s attending. Seen here with tennis-pro Coco Gauff on his tee, he matched it with fluorescent yellow sneakers and red pants. Dressing for the occasion comes unmatched here.
July 29, 2024: A fencing lesson with Team USA’s Miles Chamley-Watson
Snoop took a stab at sparring with foil fencer Miles Chamley-Watson, both sporting sabre masks with the American flag printed on them.
@nbcnews #SnoopDogg tested out his super “lung power” in a special swimming lesson with Michael #Phelps. Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics on NBC and streaming on Peacock, July 26 – Aug 11. #OlympicsNBCNews ♬ original sound – nbcnews
July 30, 2024: A lesson in ‘lung power’ with Michael Phelps
During one of his segments for the Today Show, Snoop brought off-the-clock Michael Phelps back into the pool to test out the retired swimmer’s famed ‘lung power’. “Mike, you make it look too easy,” Snoop says in the video, gasping for air on the side of the pool.
@sport..moment Badminton 2024 Olympics #snoppdogg #commentate #funny #save #wow #olympics #usa #chine #match #fyp #interesting ♬ original sound – Instant highlights
July 31, 2024: Snoop Dogg’s lyrical commentary at badminton
His first viral clip of commentary came when Team USA was facing off with China in the badminton men’s doubles. As is his discography, his commentary had exceptional flow: “As you see, it don’t stop ’til the casket drop. They rocking and rolling. Back and forth,” he said, to the rhythm of the intense volley. “Give me that. No, I need that. Nope, over here. No, over there. What about over there? Nope.” His ability to capture the inner monologues of athletes is captivating to listen to.
August 3, 2024: In matching equestrian fits with bestie Martha Stewart
If you happened to be unaware of this link up before the Olympics, Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart go way back. The pair first met in 2008 when Snoop was a guest on Stewart’s cooking show, where an immediate bond was struck with the odd but entertaining pairing. On his second visit in 2009, the two famously made brownies (you know the joke), solidifying their joint charisma.
Although his commentary is best known for his jubilation during a Crip Walking/dressage event in Tokyo, the rapper confessed to having a fear of horses. Attending a dressage event at the Château de Versailles, Snoop enlisted Stewart (the lifestyle guru has a stable of Friesians at her Westchester County farm) to be a guiding hand. In no time, Snoop was feeding carrots and apples he had brought along for the horses, having a little dance with them, too.
NO ONE is having a better Olympics than Snoop, I’m not even convinced he knows he has a camera on him, I think he just behaves like this pic.twitter.com/PZbPy6Rxnm
— Sorcha Ní Nia (@Luiseach) August 6, 2024
August 4, 2024: Side quest in the Louvre
Like any VIP visiting Paris, Snoop Dogg was given a private tour of the Louvre Museum. In a TikTok video, the rapper had a staring contest with the Mona Lisa (“I just found out I was Mona Lisa’s twin brother, Tony Lisa”), marvelled at the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and compared his durag to the one donned by the revolutionary in Liberty Leading the People. “The revolution will be televised,” he mused to the 1830 Eugène Delacroix painting.
August 7, 2024: Link up at the skatepark with Tony Hawk
During the men’s park event at the skatepark-converted Place de la Concorde, Snoop appeared on the deck with skating legend Tony Hawk for another iconic link up. Snoop greeted the competing riders, including Australia’s Keegan Palmer who took home gold that day. Despite an ambassador for Team USA, Snoop is a lucky charm for all.
Related:
The unofficial MVPs of Paris 2024, so far
