A beloved NBC Sports Boston host is headed (back) to the Worldwide Leader. NBC Sports Boston Celtics and Patriots host Amina Smith is headed to ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor. The news was first reported by The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn via his X account:
According to Finn, Smith’s last day is reportedly Mar. 20. This may also be the date of her last broadcast — the Celtics play the Bucks at home that evening. Finn says fellow NBCSB host Tom Giles will handle Celtics pre-and post-game festivities for the remainder of the season.
In response to the news, some of Smiths’ sports media peers sent her well-wishes:
On Friday, ESPN PR officially announced that Smith would join the Worldwide Leader as a SportsCenter anchor, confirming Finn’s report. Smith will begin her new role on April 2:
“Joining ESPN is truly a dream come true,” said Smith. “I’m excited for the opportunity to connect with fans blending my knowledge and passion for sports and entertainment to deliver engaging, fun, and thoughtful content.”
Smith graduated from the University of Miami and started her professional career at 6 News in Lawrence, Kansas, and then moved into sports roles with Fox Sports, Big Ten Network, BET Networks, and Stadium Sports. During her time at “The U,” she worked in various production and on-air roles for networks such as NBC, ESPNU, FOX, and her campus station UMTV. Before transferring to Miami, she attended the University of South Carolina, where she worked with SGTV, the school’s student-run station, where she covered football and women’s basketball.
In 2022, Smith won a New England Emmy for Outstanding Sports Programming – Live as the host of Patriots Pregame Live.
“As a former athlete and being surrounded by sports my entire life, ESPN has always been in the picture and I’m ecstatic to finally call the network home – a place where I can continue to show up as my authentic self while connecting with viewers from all walks of life,” she said.
