Today’s sports media scene is blessed with established stars. Men and women who have spent decades excelling as writers, anchors and reporters. Similarly, plenty of young and emerging talents are making their mark in the business.
Some work regionally, while others have established themselves nationally. Here are seven personalities who have caught my attention.
Aileen Hnatiuk
Aileen Hnatiuk is making a name for herself covering sports in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. As an anchor and reporter for WFLA-TV, she continues to do excellent work covering the Tampa Bay Rays, Lightning and Buccaneers.
Hnatiuk is the definition of versatility, flourishing as an anchor, reporter and interviewer.
She is a tireless worker, whether in the studio, on-site or behind a podcast microphone. She also did terrific work covering the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Tampa has become a major sports city. The Buccaneers have largely dominated their division, the Lightning have won multiple Stanley Cups, and the Rays have returned to the World Series. Hnatiuk is on her way to becoming a star in her own right.
Russell Wilson
The phrase “rising star” is normally reserved for a young media personality, but I’m putting a 37-year-old former quarterback on my list. As part of CBS’ The NFL Today pregame show, Russell Wilson hasn’t taken to television as quickly as fellow CBS colleagues past and present, such as Nate Burleson, Tony Romo and Matt Ryan.
However, I see the potential.
Most television neophytes need to slow down and take a breath. With Wilson, it’s just the opposite. He brings a casual manner to the set, and I’d like to see him raise his energy level a bit. In essence, he needs to be himself, but better. The knowledge, style and demeanor are there. Just as he did as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Wilson needs to rehearse and refine his approach.
Claudia Bellofatto
CBS Sports Network’s HQ Spotlight has been home to a host of talented sportscasters, including Chris Hassel, Katie Mox and Jenny Dell. The program has also introduced new talent, including Claudia Bellofatto. She made a name for herself in her native Boston, hosting and contributing to numerous programs at New England Sports Network (NESN).
Bellofatto consistently delivered quality television across a variety of shows and alongside a diverse group of on-air colleagues.
Bellofatto has worked for Netflix, MLB, MSG Networks and NBC Sports. She is also an in-studio anchor for Sunday Night Rugby on ESPN platforms. Across all her roles, she has established herself as an engaging presence who continues to evolve.
Drew Carter
I may be underrating Drew Carter by calling him a rising star. The Syracuse University graduate cut his media teeth in Birmingham, Alabama, and has covered a variety of sports, from college football and basketball to lacrosse, softball and hockey.
Carter has also been part of ESPN’s stable of talent since 2021.
What has impressed me most is his work as the Boston Celtics’ play-by-play voice on NBC Sports Boston. In 2023, Carter succeeded an absolute legend in Mike Gorman.
He has put his own stamp on the broadcasts and does an excellent job keeping his analyst, the often-outlandish Brian Scalabrine, in check.
Carter is a sportscaster who uniquely combines passion, pace and personality.
Keiana Martin
Keiana Martin made a sterling debut as an ESPN SportsCenter anchor this past June. She took to the role as if she had been there since Chris Berman was wearing Huggies. The former MLB Network and CBS Sports Network host and reporter has owned her opportunity on ESPN’s flagship news program, bringing enthusiasm and electricity to the venerable show.
Beyond delivering highlights and conducting live interviews, Martin has demonstrated an uncanny ability to mesh with a variety of fellow SportsCenter anchors.
She is on the fast track to joining the pantheon of greats at the network.
Manti Te’o
NFL Network’s Good Morning Football (GMFB) has undergone enough facelifts to put Cher to shame. One newcomer who has separated himself from the pack is Manti Te’o. The former Notre Dame star was once best known for his personal life, but he is now staking his claim as a rising sports media talent.
Te’o was tentative and awkward when he first joined GMFB, but he has clearly worked to refine his craft. He has slowed his delivery, learned to think before speaking and effectively tapped into his knowledge as a former college and NFL linebacker.
This guy took down plenty of running backs during his playing days. Now, he is tackling television.
Steven Ruiz
FoxSports.com writer and analyst Steven Ruiz chronicles the weekly soap opera that is the NFL. One of his regular features, the Quarterback Notebook, reminds me of the iconic work of Peter King and Will McDonough. Ruiz’s columns combine opinion, statistical analysis and data-driven predictions.
If you’re looking for flimsy blurbs and hot takes, Ruiz isn’t your guy. However, if you want substantive NFL insight presented in an entertaining way by a true football film rat, he is a must-read.
Pure sports writing is sadly becoming a lost art, but Ruiz is bucking that trend with consistently captivating and informative work.
There are certainly plenty of other rising stars working regionally and nationally across multiple platforms, but this Magnificent Media 7 stands out to me. Each is making a mark through a combination of work ethic, ability and impact. They have different backgrounds and approaches, but they share the potential to become even bigger names in sports media.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
