News Release
ESPN on ABC sports anchor Kevin Negandhi to accept the award
Washington, D.C. — Long-running sports anthology series “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” will be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Broadcasting Hall of Fame at the 2023 NAB Show as this year’s television inductee. The show, which aired on ABC from 1961-1998, will be honored at NAB Show during the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame Ceremony on the Main Stage, held April 17 in Las Vegas, Nev.
Legendary journalist Jim McKay served as the longtime host of the iconic sports series, which brought athletics from across the globe into living rooms of Americans on Saturday afternoons for 37 years. Fulfilling the promise of the show’s opening sequence of “Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sport,” McKay and the show’s co-hosts introduced sports that were not traditionally broadcast on television in the United States, such as rodeo, badminton and barrel jumping.
Kevin Negandhi will accept the award on behalf of ABC. Negandhi co-anchors “SportsCenter,” ESPN’s flagship news and information program, and is part of the ESPN on ABC College Football studio team.
“‘ABC’s Wide World of Sports’ transformed sports broadcasting by opening our eyes to unique sporting events across the globe and offering a one-of-a-kind perspective,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “The combination of renowned journalists, award-winning athletes and off-beat sports propelled the show into a category of its own. Congratulations to ‘ABC’s Wide World of Sports’ on the ‘thrill of victory’ marking its induction into the NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame.”
The NAB Broadcasting Hall of Fame recognizes radio and television personalities or programs that have earned a place in broadcasting history. Past television show inductees include “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “FOX NFL Sunday,” “Meet the Press,” “The Price is Right” and “Saturday Night Live.” Explore the complete list of past inductees here.
Qualified members of the media may apply for NAB Show press registration here.
About NAB Show
NAB Show, held April 15 – 19, 2023 in Las Vegas, is celebrating its centennial year as the preeminent conference and exhibition driving the evolution of broadcast, media and entertainment. It is the ultimate marketplace for next-generation technology inspiring superior audio and video experiences. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms, NAB Show is where global visionaries convene to bring content to life in new and exciting ways.
About NAB
The National Association of Broadcasters is the premier advocacy association for America’s broadcasters. NAB advances radio and television interests in legislative, regulatory and public affairs. Through advocacy, education and innovation, NAB enables broadcasters to best serve their communities, strengthen their businesses and seize new opportunities in the digital age. Learn more at www.nab.org.