It's a winter night in New York City and I'm at an ESPN Radio launch party for "The Trifecta," with Sarah Spain, Kate Fagan and Jane McManus.
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I ask the co-hosts the same question I'd ask any ambitious ESPN radio host: Do you eventually want your own TV show? "Doesn't everybody?" answered Spain with a laugh.
That got me thinking: Which up-and-coming ESPN talents are in line for their own TV shows?
Having your own TV show means money and fame. And just as importantly, leverage come contract time.
There's a bidding war shaping up for the top talent between ESPN/ESPN2 and Fox Sports rival FS1/FS2. When I asked FS1's Jamie Horowitz recently about the kind of "Opinionists" he wants to hire for his networks, he ticked off a list of current ESPN talent with their own daily weekday shows: Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith of "First Take"; Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser of "Pardon the Interruption"; and Jemele Hill and Michael Smith of "His & Hers."
After checking around with some ESPN brass and talent agents, here are some of the young turks poised to host their shows at the network.
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Sarah Spain, Kate Fagan and Jane McManus
Besides their new espnW radio show which debuted Jan. 9, the Trifecta trio has been increasing their TV profiles at ESPN. The trio guest-hosted Jemele Hill and Michael Smith's "His & Hers." Fagan and Spain are now frequent guests on "Around the Horn."
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"I think the chemistry that these women have is going to really break through," said Laura Gentile, senior vice president of espnW and women's initiatives. "They're super smart and super engaging. It would make great TV."
Bomani Jones, "Highly Questionable"
Jones has done a standout job since joining Dan Le Batard and Le Batard's father, Gonzalo, as a full-time co-host of "Highly Questionable." He is a versatle talent who hosts his own ESPN Radio show, provides guest hits on "Outside the Lines" and writes his own column for ESPN.com. He's being eyed by ESPN brass for his own TV show without the Le Batards.
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Kevin Negandhi, "SportsCenter"
The profile of the popular, versatile morning anchor keeps rising in Bristol. He is seen as an all-around talent who will eventually host his own show.
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Molly Qerim, "First Take"
The NFL Network veteran has come a long way from her days doing interviews for ESPN Mobile. She has a huge platform co-hosting "First Take" with Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith, the highest-rated studio show on ESPN2. Her profile grew recently with her morning "SportsCenter" hits teeing up the coming debates on "First Take."
Sarina Morales, "SportsCenter: AM"
Feisty and fun-loving, she jumps off the screen while contributing to the morning show with Negandhi, Jay Harris and Jaymee Sire. Morales is a social media expert who appeals to younger viewers who might otherwise drop "SportsCenter" in favor of news/highlights from their own mobile devices.
Adnan Virk, "Baseball Tonight"
There's a reason why Virk, an import from the Canadian outlet TSN, is viewed as the No. 1 fill-in for various ESPN TV and radio shows. He's smart and can cover a variety of events. He is the studio host for ESPN's college football coverage, a prominent gig that can make him a natural for college or professional football.
Will Cain, ESPN The Magazine
Cain is an outspoken opinionist in the Bayless/Smith mode. That's why you see him on shows like "His & Hers" and "First Take. If ESPN continues to Embrace Debate, Cain will be at the forefront.
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Cassidy Hubbarth, "NBA Tonight"
Hubbarth is rising quickly through the ranks in Bristol. The brass would deny it, but many executives inside ESPN regard the NBA as the second most-important league/partner relationship after the NFL. Her perch on the NBA highlight show positions her for her own show in the future.
