As previously reported by Sporting News, Jenna Wolfe is poised to return to the morning TV wars as the third cast member of FS1’s “First Things First” with Cris Carter and Nick Wright.
The ex-“Today” Show weekend anchor/correspondent could be announced in the next few days, sources told SN. Sporting News first reported Wolfe was a candidate on July 16. On Thursday, Ryan Glasspiegel of The Big Lead reported Wolfe was joining the new "First Things First” with Pro Football Hall of Famer Carter and rising star Wright.
Wolfe got her foot in the door at FS1 via former programming czar Jamie Horowitz, who worked with her at NBC's "Today" show. She aced her audition with Carter and Wright in Los Angeles, then beat out several other finalists for the job.
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FS1 and Wolfe’s reps declined to comment.
This looks like a solid move by FS1 as it tries to find a foothold in the crowded morning TV market. Carter and Wright have little experience, except as guests, on morning TV. Wolfe has demonstrated the chops to anchor a national show.
Wolfe, a fitness and lifestyle expert, also has a sports background. She started her TV journalism career as a weekend sports anchor for WABC in New York. She also worked as a reporter/anchor for MSG Network.
Wolfe's a trailblazer in the LGBT community. Wolfe publicly came out as a lesbian on the "Today" show in 2013, when she announced was expecting a baby girl with partner and fellow NBC journalist Stephanie Gosk.
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Produced in New York, "First Things First" will mark FS1's first move into early morning TV (6:30 a.m to 9:30 a.m.). The show will premiere Sep. 5 in time for the 2017 NFL season, and is designed to create a lead-in for "Undisputed" with Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe and Joy Taylor (9:30 a.m. to 12 noon).
FS1's new show will face tough competition: ESPN is planning a new solo show with Mike Greenberg of "Mike & Mike in the Morning" that will premiere Jan. 1, 2018.
The "Worldwide Leader in Sports" wanted to recruit Charissa Thompson back from Fox Sports for Greenberg's new show, and after Fox told SN it "absolutely" wanted to keep Thompson, the network re-signed her to a new deal, according to Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated.
NFL Network's fast-growing "Good Morning Football" is also drawing viewers and critical praise.
