ESPN's Kevin Negandhi went from being the first Indian-American on a national sports net to "one of the most respected, versatile and popular anchors" at the company, according to Michael McCarthy of SPORTING NEWS. Negandhi on Feb. 8 debuted as co-anchor for "SportsCenter: AM'" in the 7:00am ET window, and during his stint in Bristol has also hosted "NFL Live," "Baseball Tonight," "OTL" and the "Scripps National Spelling Bee." Below are excerpts from the Q&A, some of which have been edited for brevity.
Q: How is "SportsCenter: AM" doing so far?
Negandhi: I like it because it's a challenge. ... It's not like network morning TV. Or even local morning TV, where they've done it before. So for me the challenge is starting something completely different. (ESPN Senior VP/"SportsCenter" & News) Rob King has been our biggest supporter. To see it come together six months in is pretty amazing. ... We are adjusting and finding what works, and doesn’t work, in morning TV. But at the same time, we're making sure we stay true to the core of delivering highlights, delivering breaking news, having live interviews and telling a story that’s going to be relevant the rest of the day.
Q: What do you say to critics like [Fox Sports President of National Networks] Jamie Horowitz, who say sports highlight shows are a dinosaur?
Negandhi: I get a lot of people on Twitter, who say, "I wish I saw more highlights." Then I tell them, "You’re getting plenty of highlights at 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. and the overnight shows." We put a little twist on it. When you watch our show, you're getting a highlight with sound. ... There's still a demand for highlights. People want highlights.
Q: What's next? Do you want to host your own show someday?
Negandhi: September will be my 10-year anniversary. I really love what I do. I'm really lucky to be a part of "SportsCenter" and to be a part of the brand and the franchise every day. ... I came to ESPN with the dream of being a play-by-play guy. I did some play-by-play -- and I loved it. But when I got the "SportsCenter" gig six years ago, I told my agent no more play-by-play. I needed to do "SportsCenter."
Q: Word on the street is your contract expires in four months. Do you want to stay at ESPN?
Negandhi: I am really happy where I’m at. Honestly, that's probably the extent I can talk about my contract. I really wake up every day saying, "Don't I have a freaking great gig?" I am really lucky (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 9/5).
