Behind The Mic: Aly Raisman To Join ESPN’s Gymnastics Analyst Team; Selema Masekela Appointed X Games Chief of Sports Culture
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 weeks edition, Pat McAfee returns to the WWE; FOX Sports debuts new NASCAR Cup Series broadcast booth; and more.
Pat McAfee Has Officially Returned to the WWE
Pat McAfee has officially returned to the WWE on a full-time basis Monday night, joining Michael Cole on commentary as the lead color commentator on “Raw” moving forward. It’s the second WWE lead commentary job for McAfee, who previously held the role on “Friday Night Smackdown” from April 2021 to September 2022, when he became a full-time host of ESPN’s “College GameDay.” When he left for “GameDay,” WWE’s Paul “Triple H” Levesque said McAfee would be welcomed back whenever he wanted. McAfee has since held the “GameDay” role for the last two falls and indicated on his show in December that he’s expecting to be back on the program (The Athletic).
FOX Sports Debuts New NASCAR Cup Series Broadcast Booth at the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum
With the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as the backdrop, FOX NASCAR will debut its new NASCAR Cup Series broadcast booth on Sunday, Feb. 4 (8:00 PM ET on FOX), in the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum on FOX.
In his first season as a race analyst, former NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick joins the FOX Sports booth in the 2024 season opener alongside veteran play-by-play announcer Mike Joy and former NASCAR teammate Clint Bowyer. Rounding out FOX NASCAR’s Clash at The Coliseum broadcast crew are technical analyst Larry McReynolds and pit reporters Jamie Little and Regan Smith.
Prerace coverage begins at 7:30 PM ET with NASCAR RACEDAY on FOX, hosted by Chris Myers with Bowyer, Harvick, Michael Waltrip, Little and Smith. FOX also airs live coverage of the qualifying heat races to set the field for the Clash at 6:30 PM ET, with NASCAR RACEDAY delivering the latest prerace news and information from the track at 6:00 PM ET on FOX.
FOX Deportes
FOX Deportes offers live coverage of the Clash at The Coliseum beginning at 8:00 PM ET on Sunday, Feb. 4, helmed by renowned NASCAR play-by-play announcer Tony Rivera, Spanish-language sports broadcasting legend, analyst Jessi Losada and veteran motor sports pit reporter Giselle Zarur. The network also airs qualifying for the Busch Light Clash at The Coliseum at 6:30 PM ET.
NASCAR Mexico Series
The first NASCAR Mexico Series race telecast for either network airs live on FS1 and FOX Deportes from the iconic venue at 4:30 PM ET. Adam Alexander, Waltrip and former NASCAR Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski call the race on FS1, with Josh Sims covering pit road. Rivera, Losada and Zarur are on the call for FOX Deportes.
NASCAR RACE HUB
FS1’s longest-running daily studio show, NASCAR RACE HUB, marks its milestone 2,500th episode in its 2024 season debut on Monday, Jan. 29 (6:00 PM ET on FS1). Returning for HUB’s 15th season are co-hosts Alexander, Shannon Spake, Kaitlyn Vincie and Sims, with analysis from McReynolds, Bowyer, Harvick, Jamie McMurray, Waltrip, Smith, Bobby Labonte, Trevor Bayne, David Ragan and Todd Bodine. NASCAR drivers and crew chiefs rotating as analysts include Aric Almirola, Austin Dillon, Keselowski, Joey Logano, Daniel Suárez, Drew Blickensderfer, Chad Knaus and Andy Petree
X Games Appoints Selema Masekela as Chief of Sports Culture
X Games announces Selema Masekela as the first ‘Chief of Sports Culture,’ a move that supports the brand’s ambitious vision of an innovative, athlete-driven strategy.
The three-year deal will see Masekela, a member of the X Games on-air team, continue his duties as host across a diverse collection of existing and new events being planned, while adding creative advisor, producer, and mentor to his role.
“Selema has been a trailblazing force in the skate and action sports cultures over the past two decades,” says Scott Guglielmino, interim COO at X Games. “His influence extends past just sport, into fashion, music and art – and most importantly their intersection. We’re excited to have him back in the fold at X Games.”
“Since assuming control from ESPN and Disney little more than 18 months ago, X Games is now a 30-year-old start-up, which is exciting. We’re in growth mode. We’re working on myriad plans to elevate the brand, the action sports landscape, and most of all, be a platform for athlete growth. Selema will play a key role in helping X Games live up to our ambitious plans.
In his new role as X Games Chief of Sports Culture, Masekela will help guide the cultural vision for the sport and lifestyle elements of the X Games brand, mentor up-and-coming talent, provide counsel on topics of athlete growth through production, while representing X Games as a public face of the brand.
“It’s an honor for me to rejoin the X Games family in this Chief Of Sports Culture capacity,” says Selema. “I am excited to listen to and collaborate with this current crop of incredible athletes on what I believe is the infinite potential of X Games growth and cultural relevance.”
Beginning his career as an intern at TransWorld, Masekela now boasts decades of action sports journalism and mentorship on his resume. In 1999, he joined the X Games team as a snowboard sideline reporter, swiftly becoming the face and voice of the brand. Masekela hosted X Games for 13 years before departing in 2012 to join Red Bull Media as lead host for sports and music as well to create Emmy Award nominated series VICE World of Sports. His host and journalistic career is unique, spanning ESPN’s NBA coverage, E!’s Daily 10, Vans Pipeline Surf competitions and shows for National Geographic.
In 2020, Masekela joined Burton Snowboards’ Board of Directors, and continues to pave the way for diversity and inclusion in the action sports world through initiatives such as Stoked — a mentoring program providing opportunities in snowboarding, skateboarding and surfing. Beyond his media and sports contributions, he is a musician with two full length albums recorded under his artist name ALEKESAM, is the co-creator of the New York Times’ favorite coffee table book in 2021, “AFROSURF,” and the co-founder of fashion surf brand Mami Wata as well as the original and iconic streetwear brand AlphaNumeric.
Three-Time Olympic Champion Aly Raisman Joins ESPN as Gymnastics Analyst
Three-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time U.S. Olympian Aly Raisman joins ESPN this season as a gymnastics analyst, her first foray into television commentary. Raisman’s first meet will be alongside fellow U.S. Olympian John Roethlisberger on Friday, Jan. 19, when No. 6 Kentucky and No. 8 LSU tumble into action on SEC Network at 9 p.m. ET.
“I’m excited to be part of the ESPN gymnastics team and share my passion and love for the sport in a new way,” Raisman says. “It’s been so fun to watch these incredible athletes and see how much gymnastics continues to grow. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and the opportunity to try something different within the sport.”
Raisman, team captain of the gold medal-winning U.S. Women’s Gymnastics teams in 2012 and 2016, is the third most-decorated American gymnast of all-time. The most accomplished U.S. gymnast at the 2012 Games, Raisman captured the hearts of millions as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the floor exercise. One of only three U.S. gymnasts to make back-to-back teams in more than 20 years, she helped guide the team to gold and landed a silver medal performance in the All-Around competition at the 2016 Games.
“Aly is one of the most impactful gymnastics voices of her generation, and we’re excited that she will share her perspective and insight with fans as the newest member of our ESPN commentator roster,” says ESPN vice president of production, Kate Jackson.
A leader on and off the floor, Raisman uses her platform to help normalize the conversation around mental health, encourage positive body image and promote the importance of self-care. In her New York Times best-selling memoir, Fierce, she shares the highs and lows of her journey, including her survival of sexual abuse. Inspired by an army of survivors, Raisman continues to advocate for systematic changes within the sport of gymnastics and the eradication of sexual abuse.
While this is Raisman’s first commentary appearance on ESPN platforms, she has made her mark across multiple marquee ESPN initiatives. The Needham, Mass. native was on the cover of ESPN The Magazine’s Heroes Issue in 2018, which focused on athletes making change in the world. In 2022, Raisman joined an impressive group of fellow Olympic legends and sports stars at the 2022 ESPYS, celebrating the 50th anniversary of Title IX while acknowledging the ongoing fight for equity in women’s sports. Raisman also posed for ESPN The Magazine’s BODY Issue in 2015 during the leadup to the 2016 Games in Rio
Brandon Gaudin Named 2023 NSMA Georgia Sportscaster of the Year
Bally Sports play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin was named the 2023 Georgia Sportscaster of the Year on Tuesday, January 16, by the National Sports Media Association.
In Gaudin’s first season calling Atlanta Braves games on Bally Sports South and Bally Sports Southeast, he provided memorable moments all season long for Braves fans from a walk-off hit in his first home telecast at Truist Park to the team clinching its sixth consecutive National League East title.
“Brandon is joining an elite group of broadcasters who have won this prestigious honor in Georgia, and it’s easy to understand why after listening to him on the call for a Braves telecast,” says Jamie Shapiro, Executive Producer at Bally Sports South and Southeast. “He is most deserving after a tremendous inaugural season as the television voice of the Atlanta Braves.”
This is the first NSMA award for Gaudin in his broadcasting career.
Gaudin will be honored by the NSMA on Monday, July 1, along with the other NSMA award recipients
