Kevin Wildes (sportscaster)
Kevin Wildes | |
|---|---|
| Born | Kevin Robert Wildes February 10, 1978[1][2] |
| Alma mater | La Salle University |
| Occupations | Sports television producer and host |
| Notable credit(s) | SportsNation NBA Countdown The Jump First Things First |
| Spouse |
Libby Geist (m. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
Kevin Robert Wildes (born February 10, 1978) 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 (FS1)'s First Things First alongside Nick Wright and Chris Broussard.
Early and personal life
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, who is the sister of television personality Willie Geist.[1][4]
Sports broadcasting career
Television
Wildes worked as a coordinating producer on ESPN2 shows SportsNation and Numbers Never Lie.[1] Additionally, Wildes also served as a coordinating producer for Winners Bracket, a part of ESPN Sports Saturday.[1] Wildes also has producing credits on Olbermann, Grantland Basketball Hour, and It's the Shoes.[5] While at ESPN, Wildes became the Vice President of Original Content for NBA Studio Production.[6] He supervised production for NBA Countdown, and also launched and developed The Jump.[6][7] Wildes also launched and developed Detail by Kobe Bryant for ESPN+.[6]
Later, in 2018, Wildes served as the executive producer for ABC's GMA Day when it launched.[6][8]
In 2020, Wildes joined FS1 to be an on-air host on First Things First.[5][6] As of 2025, Wildes remains in that role.[9]
Podcasting
In 2013, Wildes and David Jacoby co-hosted the Grantland podcast Half-Baked Ideas.[10] Wildes has appeared on multiple podcasts hosted by Bill Simmons. While with ESPN, Simmons hosted The B.S. Report, on which Wildes appeared.[11] Wildes has also made guest appearances on Simmons' eponymous sports podcast.[12][13] Wildes contributes to the "Half-Baked Ideas" segment on Simmons' podcast.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e "Libby Geist, Kevin Wildes". New York Times. September 18, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ @firstthingsfirstonfs1; (February 10, 2021). "Happy birthday to our guy @kevin.wildes!! 🎉🎉". Retrieved August 14, 2024 – via Instagram.
- ^ a b "Kevin Wildes Bio & Career Accomplishments". Fox Sports. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ Nesheim, Jay Jay (September 18, 2018). "Like Dad, Like Daughter: The Geists Know How To Tell A Story". ESPN. Retrieved January 19, 2026.
This past Sunday, after 31 years of incredible storytelling, Bill retired from CBS's "Sunday Morning," and his final piece – like many before – included clips of Libby and her brother, MSNBC's Willie Geist, from throughout their lives.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Petski, Denise (August 2, 2018). "ESPN's Kevin Wildes Joins 'GMA Day' As Executive Producer". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Half-Baked Ideas Podcast: David Jacoby and Kevin Wildes". Grantland. December 1, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ^ "The B.S. Report: Bill Simmons and Kevin Wildes". ESPN. September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.