A former ESPN reporter, Charissa Thompson joined the network to anchor the daily highlights show Fox Sports Live. Thompson had previously worked for Fox Sports. "We’re thrilled to have Charissa back in the family," said Scott Ackerson, the network's executive vp, studio production, in her hiring announcement.
The cable sports network veteran also jumped from ESPN to Fox Sports 1. At the newly launched network, she'll be a host of Fox College Saturday. "The sidelines aren't as glamorous as everyone thinks. When halftime happens, you do the interview, and then you've got to grab a coach or a player," she recently told The Hollywood Reporter.
The 2004 U.S. Open champ was unveiled as a co-host for Fox Sports Live in May. The tennis phenom, who retired from the pro circuit a year ago, had worked on a Fox radio show. "I didn't pretend to know anything about radio," Roddick explained to Sports Illustrated. As for the new gig, the player said it has "always been a dream of mine."
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The NBA player, known for trash-talking ways as a Seattle Sonic on the court, will bring his game to the network as an analyst for Fox Sports Live.
The Chicago Bears linebacker, who recently retired, signed on as one of the hosts for Fox Football Daily, the network's NFL talk show, and will appear as a pregame anchor on Fox NFL Sunday.
NFL wide receiver Randy Moss was recruited, along with Brian Urlacher and Donovan McNabb, to be a football expert for Fox Football Daily and Fox NFL Kickoff.
Joining Brian Urlacher as a recently retired NFL great who joined the sports network, former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has signed on to host Fox Football Daily. "Make sure you tune in tomorrow," he wrote on Twitter the day before launch.
13-year NFL veteran Ephraim Salaam joined up with the network as a co-host on Fox Sports Live. Prior to launch, the offensive tackle played a tennis match with fellow host Andy Roddick. "I beat the hell out of @andyroddick in tennis today. Poor guy. I feel really bad. Hey at least he has TV," he wrote on Twitter.
The former Saints linebacker, who retired earlier this year, is set to be an expert of Fox Football Daily. "Excited to expand my role at @FOXSports @FOXSports1 & get busy on the dotcom side too!" he wrote on Twitter just prior to the network's launch.
The duo previously hosted Sportscentre in Canada and were recruited to join the network to host Fox Sports Live. "The prime minister said it was a dark day for Canada when they left," Eric Shanks, co-president and COO of Fox Sports Media Group told The Hollywood Reporter.
The 81-year-old former host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire will try his hand at sports hosting with Crowd Goes Wild, a daily sports entertainment show. Of the unexpected nature of his hiring, Philbin told the New York Times: “Some people are wondering why I took this job … But I’m a fan."