5 minute read
Ashley Baker
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Q. Thanks for interviewing with us, tell everyone who you are and what you do.
A. Well, first and foremost thank you so much for the opportunity! I am Ashley Baker, and I am a reporter with Fox Sports 1340 am based out of Hopewell, VA. I am also a social media producer with BetQL under Audacy Sports, I am the host and producer of the About Nothing but Sports Podcast and I also host a Twitter Spaces show called Sports After Dark.
Q. Let’s talk a little bit about your journey and how you got to where you are today.
A. Well, my journey is an interesting one. I’ve always loved sports my entire life. Watched it as a child with my mother around the age of 9. I grew up with it being a constant staple in my household and realized very on, that I loved to talk it. Analyze it. Debate it. All the time! Coming out if high school I had no clue what having a career in sports would look like—I wanted to be an astronomer. But through the years and two beautiful children later, I finally could see the light in that regard. Social Media. Back then, and even now my social media is about 95% sports and that was noticed by my mentor, Michael Lyle. Michael recommends that I interview with Fox Sports 1340 am, who needed a social media producer. In addition to being a social producer, I was assigned the task of reporting on the Washington Wizards. That role put me in places I couldn’t imagine in my wildest dreams. Locker rooms, conferences, networking events and so much more! Being granted with such an opportunity inspired me to build my personal sports brand—About Nothing but Sports.
Q. How have your experience been being a reporter for the Wizards?
A. The experience of being a reporter for the Wizards has been an interesting one. The organization prides itself on dignity, integrity and giving back to the community. Seeing the work, they put in during the season and in the off season is really special. I’ve reported for the Wizards during one of the most exciting times during the franchise’s history. Whether it was being in the building when Paul Pierce knocked down the dagger 3 pointer in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks in 2015 to win or watching the Wizards players enter in all black apparel in their “funeral” game against the Celtics in 2017 or even more recently witnessing Russell Westbrook be crowned with most triple-doubles in the history of the NBA while in a Wizards jersey, it’s been one hell of a ride reporting for this team.
Q. Can you give us some details about the NFL Draft in Vegas?
A. Coverage of the NFL draft was new territory for me. This was my first one ever and it was exactly what I thought it would be. Amazing. The excitement around the event, the city it’s held in (In this case, Las Vegas) and understanding that a lot of young lives will be changed in one night, is pretty dope. Being a part of that special night in any capacity made me feel like everything I’ve worked for so far had paid off in those moments.
Q. What has been one of your most memorable moments you’ve had in your career?
A. Wow. I have a few of those! I don’t know if it was my fun and silly exchange with Stephen Curry in the locker room, standing & watching the Cowboys vs Green Bay game in the locker room with Bradley Beal and talking trash to him because he’s a huge Packers fans or covering the Washington Commanders game against the Dallas Cowboys down at AT&T Stadium on Thanksgiving. Each of these moments have a special meaning to me. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
Q. Where do you see yourself in the next three years?
A. I see myself as a household name in the sports world in the next 3 years. I see myself in the beginning stages of launching my media company—ANB Sports. I see myself at speaking engagements telling people that no dream is too big. I see myself encouraging others through media on working through Anxiety since this is a mental issue I suffer with. Ultimately, I see myself helping people. Making people laugh while enough sports narrated by me in the process.
Q. Tell us a what you love about your career as a reporter?
A. I love the process. I love the experience I gain on a daily basis. I love the networking opportunities. I am LITERALLY doing what I love. Sports. At no time does it really feel like I am working. Hopefully I’m not speaking too soon!
Q. What is one fun fact about yourself?
A. I have two amazing children ages 14 & 11. They do NOT like sports. At all. I tell people that and they find it hard to believe.
Q. Are you working on any projects or upcoming events?
A. I am working on really making Sports After Dark a legitimate show on and off of Twitter Spaces. It will be filled with guest athletes and so much more especially during the upcoming NFL season. I am also looking to launch a social media branding company by the end of the year.
Q. Where can the readers follow you?
A. @ashleybaker_21 on Twitter, Instagram &Tik Tok Ashley Baker on Facebook.
