Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

Behind the Mic: ESPN Sends Contract Extensions to Bomani Jones, Pablo Torre; Emmanuel Acho Jumps to Fox Sports' Speak For Yourself

03/07/2020

Behind the Mic: ESPN Sends Contract Extensions to Bomani Jones, Pablo Torre; Emmanuel Acho Jumps to Fox Sports' Speak For Yourself By Kristian Hernandez, Associate Editor

Thursday, July 2, 2020 - 8:00 am

Print This Story | Subscribe

Story Highlights

Behind the Mic provides a roundup of recent news regarding on-air talent, including new deals, departures, and assignments compiled from press releases and reports around the industry. In this week's edition, ESPN re-ups two notable names, a former NFL linebacker makes the leap from ESPN to Fox Sports, and more.

ESPN has reached a multi-year contract extension with host and commentator Bomani Jones. Jones will continue to lead his popular ESPN Podcast, The Right Time with Bomani Jones, twice per week (Tuesday and Thursday). In May, The Right Time was downloaded more than 650,000 times, a 60% increase over last year.

His ESPN Audio presence will also include regular guest appearances across ESPN Radio sports talk programming.

Jones will play a significant role on Highly Questionable alongside Dan Le Batard, appearing three or four days each week. He will also continue to be a key contributor across ESPN's television studio lineup, including SportsCenter, Get Up, Outside the Lines, and as a panelist on Around the Horn.

I'm thrilled to continue my tenure at ESPN, Jones said. The Right Time is growing, and the ability to share my voice on many shows and platforms is exciting in this moment.

Bomani's voice is impactful and resonates across platforms, says Norby Williamson, ESPN executive vice president and executive editor, production. He is an important member of our team and we are very happy he will continue to help us serve sports fans.

Known for insightful sports commentary and thought-provoking conversations on social topics, Jones joined ESPN full time in 2013 as a co-host of Highly Questionable and launched his podcast, The Right Time with Bomani Jones, in April 2018. He hosted ESPN Radio's The Right Time with Bomani Jones from 2015-17. From 2018-20, he co-hosted High Noon on ESPN. Jones has contributed to ESPN across a variety of platforms since 2004

ESPN commentator Pablo Torre will become the new, full-time host of the ESPN Daily podcast in August - beginning the transition by working select shows in July - as part of a new, multi-year contract extension with the network. With new editions every weekday morning, ESPN Daily brings sports fans an inside look at some of the most intriguing stories with ESPN's industry-leading journalistic resources and deep roster of reporters, producers and commentators.

Torre will continue to evolve the successful podcast, which launched in October 2019. Mina Kimes, the original host, will be joining the network's NFL Live team as an analyst and will host The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny football podcast. Kimes will continue to be a key contributor to ESPN Daily.

Torre will also continue to have a presence on ESPN's weekday afternoon studio shows Highly Questionable and Around the Horn and make appearances on the network's other studio shows.

Torre joined ESPN from Sports Illustrated in 2012 as a senior writer for ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine. His writing has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers, the Boxing Writers Association of America, the Association of Health Care Journalists, GLAAD, Mental Health America, and The Best American Sports Writing.

In addition, Torre has been a contributor to the network's ESPN Films projects, including appearing in the 30 for 30 Broke - based on his own reporting of athletes' financial health - in 2012, and writing and producing his first 30 for 30 short film Friedman's Shoes in 2016. From 2018-20, he co-hosted High Noon on ESPN with Bomani Jones

Former NFL linebacker and celebrated broadcaster Emmanuel Acho joined Fox Sports as co-host of Speak For Yourself on FS1. Acho is partnering with Marcellus Wiley for a revamped version of the show airing weekdays at 3:00 PM ET on FS1 that began on the week of Monday, June 22.

Acho was taken in the sixth round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns after a four-year college career with the Texas Longhorns. After spending four seasons in the NFL, largely with the Philadelphia Eagles, he transitioned into broadcasting as an analyst for the Longhorn Network in 2016. Acho quickly emerged as one of the sport's preeminent voices and made the leap to ESPN in 2018, appearing on college football Saturday programming as well as the network's studio shows. In 2019, he was recognized for his exemplary on-air work as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree.

Outside of broadcasting, Acho is well known for his advocacy work, most recently producing a video series titled Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man, which opened a virtual conversation with white America to educate and inform on racism and social injustice. The series has been a resounding success, debuting with over 22 million views across social media platforms and garnering widespread media coverage. Acho also takes an active role in his family's non-profit organization, Living Hope Christian Ministries, which provides medical care to rural communities in Nigeria.

A Dallas native, Acho holds a bachelor's degree in sports management and a master's degree in sports psychology from The University of Texas at Austin

One of the best in the business has come on board as Sportsnet welcomed award-winning broadcaster - and one of Canada's most recognizable hockey voices - Chris Cuthbert to the Sportsnet family.

Bringing more than 30 years of broadcast excellence, an undeniable passion for the game, and an unwavering dedication to Canadian viewers to the
LINK: https://www.sportsvideo.org/2020/07/02/behind-the-mic-espn-sends-contr...
See more stories from svg

Most recent headlines

12/12/2025

BitFire, Appear Form Strategic Partnership Integrating IP-Based Solutions

HUDSON, Mass. BitFire and Appear have struck a strategic partnership aimed at offering broadcasters, sports leagues and streaming platforms a faster, more flexi...

12/12/2025

TV Tech, TVBEurope to Explore MXLs Impact on Media Production

The broadcast industry is evolving faster than ever. #IPWorkflows #remoteproduction, and next-gen audio systems are reshaping how teams design, deliver, and sca...

12/12/2025

Wrapbook Acquires TV and Film Production Scheduling Platform Cinapse

LOS ANGELES The payroll and production accounting platform Wrapbook has announced the acquisition of Cinapse, a modern scheduling platform for film and televisi...

12/12/2025

Ross Video Expands South Asian Operations

DEHLI Ross Video has announced that it is expanding and restructuring its commercial and technical teams in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation...

12/12/2025

Rise AV Launches Asia Pacific Council and Mentoring Program

LONDON Following the success of its UK launch in January 2025, Rise AV, the global not-for-profit initiative dedicated to supporting and advancing women in the ...

12/12/2025

Tubi To Introduce Matter Casting For Fire TV

SAN FRANCISCO Ad-supported streaming service Tubi next week will launch Matter Casting, a new casting standard that will enable seamless mobile-to-TV viewing di...

12/12/2025

HPA Announces Tech Retreat Highlights

LOS ANGELES The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today said futurist Robert Tercek, creative technologist Jessie Hughes from Leonardo.AI and Emmy-winnin...

12/12/2025

December 11, 2025

Scripps Research team pioneers an efficient way to stereoselectively add fluorine to drug-like molecules A new method uses a novel catalyst and inexpensive fluo...

11/12/2025

AI for Sustainability: Lessons from Sarajevo

Thomson and the Center for News, Technology and Innovation (CNTI) convened a two-day workshop in Sarajevo bringing together more than 35 journalists, editors, p...

11/12/2025

ESPN's Aims for Spectacular With Heisman Trophy Show

ESPN's Aims for Spectacular With Heisman Trophy ShowEvent firsts include 1080p HDR production airing on both national broadcast and cableBy Dan Daley, Audio...

11/12/2025

SVG Students To Watch: Frankie Patton, University of Colorado

SVG Students To Watch: Frankie Patton, University of ColoradoThe 2025 grad is hitting the ground running as a PA on national broadcastsBy Brandon Costa, Directo...

11/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 3

SVG Summit 2025 Technology Exhibits Preview, Part 3By SVG Staff Thursday, December 11, 2025 - 7:24 am Print This Story | Subscribe Story Highlights The 2...

11/12/2025

SVG Sit-Down: What Makes Gen Z, X, and Y Fans Tick? Dave Gavant of WSC Sports Goes Inside the 2025 Fan Engagement Survey

SVG Sit-Down: What Makes Gen Z, X, and Y Fans Tick? Dave Gavant of WSC Sports Go...

11/12/2025

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: 5G, MXL, Spectrum Loss, and Outerspace on Tap for Tuesday Tech Talks'

SVG Summit 2025 Preview: 5G, MXL, Spectrum Loss, and Outerspace on Tap for Tues...

11/12/2025

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: David Levy, Turner Titan and Master of All Sports-Media Trades

2025 Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame: David Levy, Turner Titan and Master of Al...

11/12/2025

SVG Launches Follow the Money' Podcast: Go Inside the Sports Media Biz with Sam McCleery and John Kosner

SVG Launches Follow the Money' Podcast: Go Inside the Sports Media Biz with...

11/12/2025

A Deep Dive Inside Game Creek Video's Bird and Magic Mobile Units, Home to Amazon's NBA on Prime Video'

A Deep Dive Inside Game Creek Video's Bird and Magic Mobile Units, Home to A...

11/12/2025

How Sound Effects for Monsters Funday Football' Emulated the Sonic Soul of Monsters, Inc.'

How Sound Effects for Monsters Funday Football' Emulated the Sonic Soul of ...

11/12/2025

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: CSP Mobile Productions' Len Chase on Upgrading Truck Fleet to 1080p, HDR, and ST 2110

SVG New Sponsor Spotlight: CSP Mobile Productions' Len Chase on Upgrading Tr...

11/12/2025

Spotify and The Game Awards Debut Gaming-Inspired Spotify Singles From Labrinth, Evanescence x GUNSHIP, and Bilmuri

Having the right song soundtrack your moves can make all the difference when gam...

11/12/2025

Celebrate Taylor Swift's Record-Breaking Year and New Docuseries with Exclusive Playlist Cover Art Stickers

It's been a big year for Taylor Swift. Her highly anticipated album The Life...

11/12/2025

L3Harris Ramps Up Production of Next-Gen Missile Tracking Satellites at Expanded Florida Facility

New satellites for the SDA Tranche 1 Tracking program in production at L3Harris&...

11/12/2025

L3Harris Delivers First Meadowlands Production Unit to US Space Force

The Meadowlands system, a compact and mobile version of the CCS, uses ground-based radio frequency units to disrupt satellite communications....

11/12/2025

L3Harris Demonstrates Interoperable Network to Unify Department of War and U.S. Government Agencies

The L3Harris demonstration united tactical communications devices, counter-UAS c...

11/12/2025

2025: L3Harris Year in Review

Throughout 2025, L3Harris delivered innovative solutions to U.S. and allied warfighters across every domain. With an unrelenting commitment to excellence, our...

11/12/2025

Nielsen reveals exclusive new data and insights in annual Tops of Sports report

A Majority of the World's Population (51%) Identify As Soccer Fans The 2025 MLB postseason notched 58.2 billion viewing minutes, up +24% from the prior y...

11/12/2025

Zixi Names Roi Sasson Vice President, Engineering

WALTHAM, Mass. Video-over-IP software provider Zixi said Roi Sasson has joined the company as vice president, engineering....

11/12/2025

LG Ad Solutions Expands Local CTV Data Coverage

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. In a move that highlights the growing competition between broadcasters and CTV platforms for local advertising, LG Ad Solutions has announ...

11/12/2025

Boston Conservatory Earns Several Best of Accolades in 2025

Boston Conservatory Earns Several Best of Accolades in 2025 Highlights include a faculty Grammy win, a seventh consecutive year on Playbill's list of co...

11/12/2025

Lawo, SMPTE To Conduct ST 2110 Practical Lab

RASTATT, Germany Lawo and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) have partnered to launch the SMPTE ST 2110 Practical Lab, an immersive ...

11/12/2025

Comcast's Xfinity Revamps National Video Plans

PHILADELPHIA Comcasts Xfinity operating brand has announced the launch of new national video plans with all-in pricing that the operator said will provide custo...

11/12/2025

Analyst: Pay TV Video Subs Rise for First Time Since 2017

After eight years of declines, MoffettNathansons new Cord Cutting Monitor for Q3 2025 shows that pay TV subscribers to linear TV packages rose by 303,000, the f...

11/12/2025

Happy Holidays from Berklee

Happy Holidays from Berklee Enjoy this years holiday student-performance video. December 10, 2025 By Office of the President Dear Berklee community, As w...

11/12/2025

As AI Grows More Complex, Model Builders Rely on NVIDIA

Unveiling what it describes as the most capable model series yet for professional knowledge work, OpenAI launched GPT-5.2 today. The model was trained and deplo...

11/12/2025

VEON's Banglalink Receives Regulatory Approval to Launch Digital Payment Services to Advance Financial Inclusion in Bangladesh

11 Dec 2025 VEON's Banglalink Receives Regulatory Approval to Launch Digita...

11/12/2025

Sky Arts paints a picture of Britains beauty as Landscape Artist of the Year returns on 14 January

Thursday 11 December 2025 Sky Arts paints a picture of Britain's beauty as ...

11/12/2025

Meet the Most Relatable Hero This Holiday: Main Trailer and Poster Unveiled for Cashero'

Back to All News Meet the Most Relatable Hero This Holiday: Main Trailer and Po...

11/12/2025

'High Tides': Netflix Shares Release Date Final Season

Back to All News High Tides: Netflix Shares Release Date Final Season Credit: Netflix / Thomas Nolf Entertainment 11 December 2025 GlobalNetherlandsBelgium...

11/12/2025

Made in Texas: How Netflix House Dallas Is Leaving a Lasting Footprint

Back to All News Made in Texas: How Netflix House Dallas Is Leaving a Lasting Footprint From left to right: America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerl...

11/12/2025

The Second Part of 'One Hundred Years of Solitude' Will Arrive in August 2026

Back to All News The Second Part of One Hundred Years of Solitude Will Arrive i...

11/12/2025

Website launch for pianist Georgina

It's not every day we're asked to create a website for a classical musician! So, we were delighted to help pianist Georgina Duncan as she embarks on he...

11/12/2025

2026 HPA Tech Retreat Brings Together Visionaries to Navigate Media's Next Chapter

The Hollywood Professional Association (HPA) today announced additional programm...

11/12/2025

Shane Lowry, Oti Mabuse and Brendan Fraser among the guests on this week's Late Late Show Christmas Special!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Irish golfing hero Shane Lowry...

11/12/2025

The RT Sport Sportsperson of the Year Nominees 2025 Revealed

RT Sport Awards 2025 live on RT One and RT Player at 8:05pm on Saturday 20 December On Saturday 20 December live on RT One and RT Player at the earlier ti...

11/12/2025

Ride Into Adventure With Capcom's Monster Hunter Stories' Series in the Cloud

Hunters, saddle up - adventure awaits in the cloud. Journey into the world of M...

11/12/2025

Fair City star Stephanie Kelly revealed as fifth contestant for Dancing with the Stars 2026

Sash is ready to samba as Fair City star Stephanie Kelly is revealed as the late...

10/12/2025

Sound-Alike Commercials Are Part of Sports' Soundtrack

Sound-Alike Commercials Are Part of Sports' Soundtrack Johnny Cash for Coca-Cola is the latest in a long litany of sonic approximationsBy Dan Daley, Audio ...

10/12/2025

Immersive Sound Is Logical Next Step for Sports Venues

Immersive Sound Is Logical Next Step for Sports VenuesSound-systems suppliers are sanguine, but the market has its challengesBy Dan Daley, Audio Editor Wednes...

10/12/2025

The Romans Built Arenas for Immersive Sound 2,000 Years Ago

The Romans Built Arenas for Immersive Sound 2,000 Years AgoThe historic Arena of Nimes in France is still in use todayBy Dan Daley, Audio Editor Wednesday, De...