On Wednesday, The Athletic reported that Fox Sports South would not be bringing Kelsey Wingert back as a sideline reporter for Atlanta Braves games in the 2020 season. The move caught fans and the industry off guard, as just last month Harrison Coburn reported that the Braves were happy with their broadcast team and not anticipating any changes.
Fans are not happy with the move. As of Thursday afternoon, nearly 8200 people have signed a petition at Change.org demanding Wingert be reinstated. “Kelsey Wingert has added an irreplaceable level of heart and excellence to Braves broadcasts. Reports that the Braves are parting ways with Kelsey, if true, are inexplicable and upsetting to thousands of fans who have come to appreciate her on Braves broadcasts,” the petition reads. “To state this clearly, Braves mgmt: Bring back Kelsey Wingert!”
Kelly Crull has been tapped as Wingert’s replacement. Crull has no shortage of experience as a sideline reporter. She comes to Atlanta from Chicago where she covered the Cubs, Blackhawks, and Bulls for NBC Sports Chicago. Prior to that she had worked the sidelines for FOX Sports San Diego’s coverage of the Padres and FOX Sports Oklahoma’s coverage of the Thunder.
Wingert has remained silent on social media since the news broke. It is worth nothing that Wingert still lists herself as the Braves’ sideline reporter on both her Twitter and Instagram pages.
