I Follow: Kevin Connors
Editor’s note: I Follow is all about ESPN employees on Twitter: what they tweet, whom they follow and how you can interact socially with anyone and everyone.
SportsCenter anchor Kevin Connors joined ESPN in July 2008 as an anchor for ESPNEWS. Connors just signed a multi-year contract extension with ESPN.
Kevin Connors joined ESPN in 2008 after working in New York City at WCBS-AM 880 and WCBS-TV. Kevin is a SportsCenter anchor and has served as the primary host of NBA Tonight and NBA Coast-to-Coast for the past two seasons.
A native of Rockville Centre, N.Y., Kevin attended South Side High School and was recognized as a two-time All-Nassau County basketball player. A four-year letterwinner on the Ithaca College men’s basketball team, Kevin graduated from Ithaca’s Park School of Communications in 1997. He has won four awards from The New York State Broadcasters Association.
Front Row caught up with him to talk about Twitter and what he likes most about working for ESPN.
Handle: @kevconnorsespn
Followers: 2,188
Following: 191
(As of 7/23/12)
When did you join Twitter and why?
I joined in 2009 but have only been active this past year. A little late to the party, but I’m trying to make up for lost time! #helpmeincreasemyfollowers! My primary reason for joining was to interact with our viewers, something I do whenever I can.
Who is your favorite person or people to follow on Twitter and why?
@DavidSpade – his picture tweets are always hilarious. [ESPN NBA analyst] @Chris_Broussard and Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) are the best at breaking NBA News. @TheBillsMafia, @foofighters, and @realDonaldTrump are right up there, too.
In your bio it says you are the “Undisputed, #1 [Jimi] Hendrix & Foo Fighters fan.” Have you had any challenges to that title claim on Twitter? What’s your connection to both musicians/bands?
Undefeated and still champion! But I welcome a good challenge. Not only do I love Jimi’s music, I admire him because he was so far ahead of his time. Still is. Foo Fighters are the best band on the planet. Dave Grohl is a genius. My brother Bill and my mom met him in LAX. One day I hope to as well.
You have re-signed with ESPN recently. What is it about this place that made you want to stay?
Simply put, ESPN is the most powerful name in sports. The innovation, talent and vision at this network are unrivaled in the industry. I take the responsibilities of my job (serving sports fans) very seriously and working alongside the best in TV challenges me to bring my best every single day.
What’s your favorite Tweet you’ve received or your favorite Twitter moment?
Any form of positive feedback from our viewers is always very humbling. I had a back and forth exchange with [NFL linebacker] Shawne Merriman about the Bills chances this season, which was fun. I also set a Twitter record for Celebrity Apprentice re-tweets, but sadly The Donald is still reviewing my application for the cast of Season 6.
Do you feel that Twitter enhances your role as an ESPN anchor?
Without a doubt! Connecting with our audience and the athletes we cover isn’t the future of journalism anymore — it’s the present. Embracing that — and utilizing it — provides me, as an anchor, with an invaluable tool. Drop me a note to talk sports or music: @kevconnorsespn
