Former ESPN Anchor Jemele Hill to Host New Spotify Podcast ‘Unbothered’
Twice-weekly series to explore sports, politics and culture
Reid Nakamura | January 8, 2019 @ 2:11 PM
Last Updated: January 8, 2019 @ 2:15 PM
Photo by Robby Klein / ESPN Images
Jemele Hill is set to launch a new talk show podcast for Spotify, the former ESPN host announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Titled “Unbothered,” the twice-weekly show will see Hill discuss news, politics and culture with her co-hosts and rotating stable of guests. It is currently slated to launch in March.
“Spotify and I are very like-minded,” Hill said in a statement. “We both believe in being bold and authentic. I am thrilled to get the opportunity to stretch myself in a much different way, with a support system that I believe will bring out the best in me. I look forward to sharing my perspective and experience with Spotify’s many listeners across the world.”
“Jemele is an important voice in sports, race, culture and politics, and their intersection in media,” Spotify Studios head Courtney Holt said. “She will bring her unique point of view to our platform with ‘Unbothered,’ which is sure to be a favorite of listeners with diverse interests and viewpoints.”
Hill spent 12 years at ESPN, which included a run as a “SportsCenter” host, during which time she was outspoken about race and politics — something that earned her rebuke from the White House for calling Donald Trump a “white supremacist.” She exited the company in September and has since joined The Atlantic as a staff writer.
ESPYS Parties 2018: Snoop Dogg, Aly Raisman Kick Off Biggest Week in Sports (Updating Photos)
The 2018 ESPYS take place live on Wednesday from the Microsoft Theater but ESPN's annual awards extravaganza has turned into a week-long event as the biggest names in sports descend on Los Angeles -- swapping their jerseys and cleats for designer clothes and cool shoes.
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Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman was joined by Alison Overholt -- vice president, editor-in-chief of ESPN The Magazine and espnW - at the HEROES at the ESPYS party in Los Angeles Tuesday.
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Raisman graces the cover of ESPN the Magazine's special HEROES issue ahead of receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award with other survivors of sexual abuse committed by Larry Nassar.
The Cedars-Sinai and Sports Spectacular Gala on Sunday night marked the start of ESPYS week as former San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman joined Snoop Dogg at his Inglewood "compound" to help raise awareness about diabetes and obesity.
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Olympic skier Gus Kenworthy at HEROES at THE ESPYS pre-party event in LA.
ESPN host Jemele Hill at the at HEROES at THE ESPYS pre-party event in LA.
Paralympic snowboarder and former "Dancing With the Stars" contestant Amy Purdy was honored with the Inspirational Athlete Award, telling TheWrap that "so many people don’t even know they have diabetes so I think this is an incredible cause that raises a lot of awareness." Having overcome the loss of her legs to meningitis at age 19, Purdy is now writing her second book on inspiration, "so it is fitting to be getting an inspiration award tonight."
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Chloe Kim was also honored with an Inspirational Athlete Award after she became the youngest woman to win an Olympic snowboarding medal with her Halfpipe gold in Pyeongchang this year.
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Coming off the biggest season of his NFL career, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell said he wants to "encourage kids and talk to them about how to understand their bodies and be active, especially nowadays with so much technology available. I think playing sports is really important ... there’s a lot of lessons to be learned on how to take care of your body and knowing what your limits are," he added.
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Having retired in 2o12, Merriman said that "even having been done with the NFL for six years, I still love being in the gym ... There are people who didn’t have that regimen and it’s a struggle for them to stay in shape, but I always say to them ‘just stay active.'"
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No. 1 NFL draft pick Baker Mayfield was also on hand at the Sports Spectacular to combat diabetes. The 23-year-old QB said technology and video games have a lot of kids staying inside, but getting out and exercising is "great not only for physical health but for mental health too." As for heading into his rookie year with the Cleveland Browns, who went 0-16 last season, "people don’t have high expectations for us but we know what we have," he said.
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Constance Schwartz-Morini, partner and co-founder of SMAC Entertainment, was also honored with the Visionary Award for her work with clients such as NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan.
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US Women's National Hockey Team at HEROES at the ESPYS pre-party event in LA
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Sports Spectacular Gala launches ESPYS week events, as ESPN the Magazine spotlights bravery and philanthropy at the HEROES party
The 2018 ESPYS take place live on Wednesday from the Microsoft Theater but ESPN's annual awards extravaganza has turned into a week-long event as the biggest names in sports descend on Los Angeles -- swapping their jerseys and cleats for designer clothes and cool shoes.
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