Danny Parkins is reportedly moving to afternoons on FS1; Ian Baker-Finch is stepping away from the microphone; and Jimbo Fisher is joining the ACC Network and ESPN. Plus additional news about Baron Davis, Justin Fuente, Flora Kelly and Dan Steinberg.
Danny Parkins reportedly joining “First Things First” on FS1
As part of an overhaul of its daily lineup, FS1 is reportedly expanding its afternoon program “First Things First” to three hours and adding Danny Parkins as a daily member of the show. Parkins, who was a regular on the now-canceled “Breakfast Ball,” will be working alongside Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes in the new third hour of the program, which has been on the airwaves since 2017 and airing in afternoons for the last three years.
Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports was the first to report the news of Parkins’ addition.
Parkins joined FS1 on a full-time basis last year as part of a “Breakfast Ball” cast that included Craig Carton and Mark Schlereth. His move to “First Things First” marks a reunion of sorts with Wright, a friend of his dating back to their college years at Syracuse.
Prior to working in television, Parkins hosted the afternoon drive slot at 670 The Score in Chicago with Matt Spiegel, and he continues to appear on the station for an annual 24-hour radiothon to raise money for cancer research.
Ian Baker-Finch to retire from broadcasting
Longtime CBS golf analyst Ian Baker-Finch announced his retirement on Tuesday, ending a 19 year-run working for CBS Sports. Baker-Finch will work the final two CBS-produced tournaments of the season, ending his broadcast career from the Wyndham Championship on Sunday, Aug. 3.
“Golf has been an enormous part of my life,” Baker-Finch said in a statement. “I was fortunate to compete against the best players in the game and more recently work with the very best in television. To my CBS Sports family–my teammates, producers, directors and crew — thank you for your extraordinary talent, dedication, and camaraderie. You’ve made every moment in the booth a joy, transforming broadcasts into cherished memories.”
Prior to working with CBS Sports, Baker-Finch served as an analyst for ESPN golf coverage and was also a hole announcer for ABC Sports. Upon joining CBS Sports in 2007, he started contributing to broadcasts as both an analyst and hole announcer where he had the chance to commentate alongside broadcasters such as Jim Nantz, Trevor Immelman and Dottie Pepper. Baker-Finch said he has “immense gratitude and pride” for moments that have been shared with colleagues and golf fans around the world and that he is looking forward to new adventures while maintaining his “enduring love of golf.”
“As a major champion during his successful playing career and over three decades in broadcasting, Ian Baker-Finch distinguished himself as one of the most respected and trusted voices in golf,” David Berson, president and chief executive officer of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “As he announces his retirement, we’ll miss his passion, insight, warmth and steady presence on the air but know he will continue to make his mark across the world of golf. Finchy will always be part of the CBS Sports family, and we thank him for being an incredible teammate and friend, and for his immeasurable contributions the past 19 years at CBS.”
Jimbo Fisher to join ACC Network, ESPN
Former Florida State football head coach Jimbo Fisher is joining the ACC Network as a studio analyst, it was announced Tuesday. Fisher, a three-time ACC champion and National Championship winner, will be appear weekly on ACC Huddle where he will appear on a weekly basis alongside host Taylor Tannebaum and analysts Eric Mac Lain and Eddie Royal. EJ Manuel, who was on the program since joining the network in 2019, will be transitioning to a new ESPN studio role in the fall and also maintain a presence on the ACC Network.
In addition to delivering analysis on ACC Network, Fisher is also going to be a college football analyst at ESPN.
“I’m looking forward to joining ACC Network and the Huddle team this season,” Fisher said in a statement. “I’ve always had tremendous respect for this conference, and I’m looking forward to breaking down the action each week with such a talented group.”
Fisher led Florida State to the national championship in the 2013-14 season and accrued a 83-23 record throughout his time with the university. He departed FSU in 2017 to become the head coach of Texas A&M, but was fired within his sixth season with the team. Although Fisher has not resumed coaching since 2023, he joined SiriusXM ahead of the last football season where he worked alongside the aforementioned Manuel and Jacob Hester to host a weekly program on its College Sports Radio channel.
Plus: Baron Davis, Justin Fuente, Flora Kelly, Dan Steinberg
- Former NBA guard Baron Davis has been named the host of “Raiders: Talk of the Nation,” anchoring a 30-minute sit-down interview series analyzing lifestyle, culture and community surrounding the team. Silver & Black Productions is producing the show, which will include “in-depth conversations with a rotating mix of local voices, national media personalities and celebrity guests.”
- Former Virginia Tech football coach Justin Fuente has been named the lead color analyst for TCU Horned Frogs football games airing on the Horned Frog Sports Network. Fuente, who formerly coached at the collegiate level for more than two decades, will work on the radio with play-by-play announcer Brian Estridge and sideline analyst Elvis Gallegos.
- Vice president of ESPN Research Flora Kelly has been promoted to senior vice president of the division. Kelly has been working with the company since 2006 starting as a research analyst and helping the company measure its multiplatform success.
- Digital sports editor and columnist Dan Steinberg announced that he is departing The Washington Post after working for the publication since 2001. Steinberg, who founded D.C. Sports Bog in 2006, said that Wednesday is his final day on the job.
