LOS ANGELES – FOX Sports announced the premiere of FAIR GAME WITH KRISTINE LEAHY on Monday, Oct. 22 (5:30 PM ET) on FS1.
The network’s new weekday sports show features host Leahy in conversations with the biggest names in sports and entertainment. The announcement was made by Mark Silverman, President, National Networks, FOX Sports.
“We are thrilled to have Kristine back on FS1 interviewing top names in sports and entertainment,” said Silverman. “FAIR GAME will provide us a great opportunity to continue to broaden the programming mix at FS1.”
Filmed in Santa Monica, just steps from the ocean, this 30-minute, single-guest show is destined to make waves as Leahy gets her guests to relax, open up and move the conversation forward. The show will mix in-depth sit-down interviews with rapid-fire inquiries and fun segments talking about pop culture, music, fashion or social media. Some of the guests for premiere week of the show include former professional football player Ray Rice, Los Angeles Clippers Head Coach Doc Rivers, movie star Josh Duhamel, Olympic gold medal winning gymnast Nastia Liukin and WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder.
“I’m thrilled to be working with IMG to produce a show I hope will resonate with audiences looking for authenticity,” said Leahy. “Our show aims to bring out the personal side of athletes, entertainers, and others close to the sports world. I am so excited to share this project we’ve been working on for the last several months with viewers.”
The show is produced by IMG Original Content for FOX Sports. “Kristine is an engaging intuitive, interviewer with a unique ability to create dynamic dialogue no matter the setting,” said Mike Antinoro, senior vice president of IMG Original Content. “This format will offer Kristine’s audience a new perspective on her guests through insightful and entertaining conversations.”
IMG Original Content recently teamed with HBO Sports to produce the critically acclaimed “Being Serena,” a five-part docu-series on tennis superstar Serena Williams. It also produces daily talk shows, award shows and live events for both linear and digital networks including FOX, HBO, Showtime, Netflix, Amazon and ABC.
Leahy began at FS1 as co-host on THE HERD WITH COLIN COWHERD, a role she had for the show since its inception in 2015. The duo developed an easy chemistry that resonated with viewers across television and radio. Currently, she’s co-host of the Emmy nominated NBC show, American Ninja Warrior. Leahy also served as a contributor on SPEAK FOR YOURSELF. In 2016, Leahy was honored with a Gracies Award in the category of On-Air Talent, Sports, for her outstanding work on THE HERD WITH COLIN COWHERD.
She previously spent three years in the CBS and Turner Sports families as a sideline reporter for March Madness, regular-season college basketball and college football. Leahy also filled in as a host on the CBS Sports Network show “Lead Off,” while working as an anchor/reporter for the CBS Los Angeles and KCAL duopoly.
Leahy worked for the Boston Celtics as the team reporter from 2009-11, and for the New England sports radio station WEEI as a host and reporter before becoming sports anchor for FOX Boston at the age of 24. She has a bachelor of science in journalism from Boston University, where she was part of the team that created BUTV’s first sports talk show, which she co-anchored for three years.
About FOX Sports
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FS1, FS2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com and FOX Sports GO. Also included in the Group are FOX’s interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that established the FOX Sports Radio Network.
About IMG
IMG is a global leader in sports, fashion, events and media, operating in more than 30 countries. The company manages some of the world’s greatest sports figures and fashion icons; stages hundreds of live events and branded entertainment experiences annually; and is a leading independent producer and distributor of sports and entertainment media. IMG also specializes in sports training and league development, as well as marketing, media and licensing for brands, sports organizations and collegiate institutions. IMG is part of the Endeavor network.
