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Kevin Wildes (sportscaster)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kevin Wildes
Born
Kevin Robert Wildes

(1978-02-10) February 10, 1978 (age 46)[1][2]
Alma materLa Salle University
Occupation(s)Sports television producer and host
Notable credit(s)SportsNation
NBA Countdown
The Jump
First Things First
Spouse
Libby Geist
(m. 2011)

Kevin Robert Wildes is an American sports television producer, personality, sports radio talk show host, and podcaster. Wildes currently serves as a co-host on Fox Sports 1's First Things First (FTF) alongside Nick Wright and Chris Broussard.

Early and personal life

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Wildes is a native of Groton, Connecticut.[3] Wildes graduated from La Salle University in Philadelphia.[1] In 2011, he married his wife, Libby Geist.[1]

Sports broadcasting career

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Television

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Wildes worked as a coordinating producer on ESPN2 shows SportsNation and Numbers Never Lie.[1] Additionally, Wildes also served as a coordinating producer Winners Bracket, a part of ESPN Sports Saturday.[1] Wildes also has producing credits on Olbermann, Grantland Basketball Hour, and It's the Shoes.[4]

While at ESPN, Wildes became the Vice President of Original Content for NBA Studio Production.[5] He supervised production for NBA Countdown, and also launched and developed The Jump.[5][6] Wildes also launched and developed Detail by Kobe Bryant for ESPN+.[5]

Later, in 2018, Wildes served as the executive producer for ABC's GMA Day when it launched.[5][7]

In 2020, Wildes joined FS1 to be an on-air host on First Things First.[4][5] As of 2024, Wildes remains in that role.[8]

Podcasting

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In 2013, Wildes and David Jacoby co-hosted the Grantland podcast Half-Baked Ideas.[9] Wildes has appeared on multiple podcasts hosted by Bill Simmons. While with ESPN, Simmons hosted The B.S. Report, on which Wildes appeared.[10] Wildes has also made guest appearances on Simmons' eponymous sports podcast.[11][12] Wildes contributes to the "Half-Baked Ideas" segment on Simmons' podcast.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Libby Geist, Kevin Wildes". New York Times. September 18, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  2. ^ @firstthingsfirstonfs1 (February 10, 2021). "Happy birthday to our guy @kevin.wildes!! 🎉🎉". Retrieved August 14, 2024 – via Instagram.
  3. ^ a b "Kevin Wildes Bio & Career Accomplishments". Fox Sports. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  4. ^ a b Maglio, Tony (February 27, 2020). "Longtime TV Producer Kevin Wildes Replaces Cris Carter on FS1's 'First Things First'". TheWrap. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e Steinberg, Brian (February 27, 2020). "Kevin Wildes, Longtime ESPN Producer, Goes On Camera for Fox Sports". Variety. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  6. ^ Carfado, Ben (October 13, 2016). "ESPN NBA Countdown: Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups & Tracy McGrady to Join Host Michelle Beadle" (Press release). ESPN Press Room U.S. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (August 2, 2018). "ESPN's Kevin Wildes Joins 'GMA Day' As Executive Producer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  8. ^ Tornoe, Kevin (August 31, 2022). "Fox Sports adds LeSean McCoy, WFAN and ex-WIP host Craig Carton to FS1 lineup". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  9. ^ "Half-Baked Ideas Podcast: David Jacoby and Kevin Wildes". Grantland. December 1, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  10. ^ "The B.S. Report: Bill Simmons and Kevin Wildes". ESPN. September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
  11. ^ Simmons, Bill; Jacoby, David (June 1, 2022). "NBA Finals Angles With David Jacoby and Kevin Wildes. Plus, Jon Bernthal's Return to the Pod". The Ringer. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
  12. ^ Simmons, Bill; Jacoby, David (June 1, 2022). "A Kevin Wildes–Dave Jacoby Reunion, Plus Freddie Gibbs Finally Comes On". The Ringer. Retrieved September 25, 2022.