However, after 20 years of covering sports, Crull is now in the midst of a career transition, joining Atlanta’s 680/93.7FM as the newest radio host and podcaster to share her thoughts on basketball, baseball, and football.The fan.
Courtesy
Courtesy
She took on a number of freelancing jobs, including filling in as host on the Fan, after losing her position as a Braves reporter at Bally Sports in 2023. She was promoted to full-time by the station, where she now co-hosts the evening show with Buck Belue whenever the Braves aren’t playing a night game and appears on The Locker Room morning show on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
It’s a change in perspective, Crull stated. The guys try to get me to open up and share my thoughts by prodding me a little.
She has already launched a fan interview podcast called Crill Me Maybe that features local athletes, and she has plans to launch another that focuses on women’s sports.
She said, “They’re definitely keeping me busy.”
Since Sandra Golden’s departure in 2021, The Fan hasn’t had a consistent female voice.(Golden currently co-hosts 92.9/The Game with Steak Shapiro on a part-time basis.)
Crull’s abilities as a substitute were noticed by both program director Andy Roth and fan president David Dickey, who secured a place for her on the roster.
According to Roth, she is talented yet underrated. He said he could feel the spark between her and Belue when she was a rotating co-host on his nightly show earlier this year.
Belue, the quarterback who led Georgia to a national title in 1980 and joined the Fan in 2000, said, “I respected her work on the Braves.” She is also very knowledgeable and positive. You roll your eyes since there have been female sports hosts in the past. However, I don’t need to be concerned about Kelly.
Although Crull acknowledges that college football isn’t her finest skill, she said she is making a concerted effort to learn more about a sport that is important to her core fan audience.
He attempted, but was unsuccessful, to get her to reveal her pay for her first official performance with Belue this past Monday. He then made a joke about her probably having a signing bonus.
There was no signing bonus, Crull informed him. The bargain was simply that I got to work with the Hall of Famer in you and maintain order in the morning program.
Belue went on a tirade, lamenting that the Braves had already used up 60 players in a season marred by injuries. “I’m exhausted,” he said. I simply feel lightheaded.
Even though the Braves won’t be making the playoffs, Crull pointed out that the team still has dignity and might finish third, ahead of the Miami Marlins.
“All I’m trying to do is make you smile,” she added.
Courtesy
Courtesy
Crull, 41, played tennis and basketball in high school while growing up in Indiana. After graduating from the University of Missouri with a degree in broadcasting, she worked as a sports reporter for Purdue University at a local television station. She then went on to cover the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Diego Padres before joining Comcast in Chicago.
According to John Schippman, her manager at Comcast, she introduced her own ideas. She enjoyed her role as a Cubs reporter and developed ties with both the staff and players.
She spent months at a time embedded with the team, both with the Braves and the Cubs. Crull remarked, “You’re with these men and their families all the time.” They integrate with you. You genuinely wish for their success. You recognize the amount of effort and sacrifice they make for their family.
Former Atlanta Brave player David Ross, who played his final games as a Cub during that historic 2016 World Series run, claimed to have became friends with Crull that year and to routinely follow her career. According to Ross, she was available to chat with us when a pitcher tossed a whole game or during those heartfelt walk-off home runs. What a professional she was. She seemed to have been a member of the team.
Crull expressed her gratitude to CEO Derek Schiller for giving World Series rings to broadcasters like her when the Braves won the 2021 championship.
It’s without a doubt my most costly piece of jewelry! “I said,” she said.
If you pay attention
93.7/680 is Kelly Crull’s number. The Buck Belue Show is from 6 to 8 p.m. on weekdays when the Braves are off and from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The Fan’s The Locker Room is open from 6 to 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
