ESPN is solidifying its lineup of investigative journalists. The network the hiring of two newcomers as well as contract extensions for four others.
Xuan Thai and Sara Coello are the two newcomers to The Worldwide Leader, starting their jobs in January.
Thai previously worked at NBC News and MSNBC. Most recently, she was the deputy bureau chief of the south region at NBC.
Coello has made her way to ESPN after stops at The Charlotte Observer, The Dallas Morning News and The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C.
Alyssa Roenigk, Tisha Thompson, Sam Borden and Tom Junod are the four others who received contract extensions.
Roenigk is the most senior of the group, with 2023 being her 21st year at ESPN. She’s been an editor, sideline reporter, studio host and writer in that stretch of two decades.
Thompson and Borden both started at ESPN in 2017. Thompson has covered stories including the ongoing government investigation of Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder and investigated sexual assault allegations within the U.S. Snowboard team.
Borden has appeared regularly on various ESPN platforms like the ESPN Daily podcast and Outside the Lines. He’s a 2021 Edward R. Murrow Award winner for an NFL Countdown piece called “This Big Mo Show.”
Junod has been at ESPN since 2019. His previous stops include GQ, Esquire, Life and Sports Illustrated.
Additionally, a contract extension for veteran feature producer Scott Harves was announced by the network.
