Ahmed Fareed won’t be hard to find this fall.
In a release on Tuesday, NBC announced that Fareed is the new host of its Big Ten College Countdown show. The program was previously hosted by Maria Taylor, who will now shift her focus to NBA hosting duties as the network prepares for its return as a league partner next season.
The NBA’s return to NBC airwaves will also include a new role for Fareed. Following the conclusion of the college football season, the Syracuse alum will host NBC Sports’ Monday night NBA studio show, which will air exclusively on Peacock.
“College football under the lights is sacred, and we’ve got the crew to match its energy. Plus, helping shape our NBA coverage in its return to NBC Sports? I can’t wait to start,” Fareed said in a statement. “I’m thankful to be trusted with these roles. I’m even more motivated by the responsibility that comes with them.”
NBC Sports’ release referred to Fareed as an “extremely versatile host,” a label that is easy to prove with one look at his resume. In addition to covering multiple Olympics and Paralympics, the Sparta, Michigan, native has contributed to the network’s coverage of the Premier League, Major League Baseball, college football and basketball and horse racing.
This past May, Fareed famously stepped in on short notice to host the network’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby after Mike Tirico suffered a reaction from a nut allergy. Speaking with Awful Announcing’s Drew Lerner shortly after the event, he reflected on the unique nature of the high profile role.
“… You’re definitely keenly aware of how many people are potentially watching,” Fareed said. “But, I don’t know, for whatever reason I’m able to be in the moment and it doesn’t make me any more or less nervous. It’s not that I’m not nervous, but it’s like, I’m also nervous to do a good show for 10,000 people. …You want to do a good job. You don’t ever want to look like an idiot, so it really is no different.”
To this point, Fareed has managed to avoid doing just that. And NBC’s higherups have clearly taken notice, with Tuesday’s announcement positioning him as a key member of both the network’s present and future plans.