In the crowded landscape of sports media, where hot takes often overshadow nuanced conversation, a new show is emerging with a different playbook. BET’s “106 & Sports” represents more than just another program about athletics—it’s a cultural intervention, helmed by two distinct voices who bring complementary expertise and a shared mission to elevate the conversation.
At the forefront are former NFL MVP Cam Newton, whose career spanned the highest peaks of professional athletics, and Ashley Nicole Moss, the groundbreaking journalist who became the first Black woman to lead Sports Illustrated’s video vertical. Their partnership on “106 & Sports” represents a deliberate fusion of insider athletic experience with journalistic integrity.
What makes this pairing particularly compelling is how their backgrounds inform their approach. Newton brings the perspective of someone who has faced media scrutiny at the most intense levels of sport, while Moss understands the responsibility that comes with platforming athletes’ stories. Together, Newton and Moss are creating a space where authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of every conversation.
Authenticity as a north star
Moss’s philosophy of interviewing represents a significant departure from the confrontational style that dominates much of sports media. Her experience building SI’s video division from scratch taught her that the most revealing moments come from conversation, not interrogation.
“I’m not here to trip you up or get a sound bite,” she explains. “I’m here to peel back the layers of who you are, what you do, and why you do it.”
This approach reflects a broader shift in sports journalism toward more empathetic storytelling. By prioritizing safety, respect, and truth, Moss creates an environment where athletes feel comfortable revealing dimensions of themselves rarely seen in traditional press conferences or post-game interviews. The chemistry between her and Newton isn’t accidental—it’s essential to the show’s identity, creating a dynamic where different perspectives can coexist and complement each other.
Accountability, culture, and the athlete’s eye
Newton’s contribution to this partnership comes from his lived experience in the arena. Having navigated the complexities of NFL stardom, including both MVP seasons and public scrutiny, he understands the athlete’s perspective in a way few media figures can. His candor about the unpredictability of content creation is balanced by an unwavering commitment to integrity.
“I want to be held accountable just like I hold other people accountable,” he says. “If it rubs you the wrong way, I hope you can respect that.”
This accountability-focused approach reflects Newton’s evolution from athlete to media personality. For him, “106 & Sports” represents an opportunity to bridge the gap between sports and culture with intention. His passion for elevating overlooked stories—from HBCU standouts to community leaders—stems from his own experiences with both representation and misrepresentation in media.
“I’ve always stood on the table to magnify the good in our communities,” he notes, highlighting how the show extends beyond game highlights to explore the broader impact of sports figures.
The rise of women’s sports — and how they’re showing up for it
Perhaps nowhere is the show’s innovative approach more evident than in its coverage of women’s sports. As female athletes experience unprecedented visibility and cultural influence, “106 & Sports” positions itself at the forefront of this movement.
The current landscape represents a transformative moment for women’s sports. From the Williams sisters’ decades-long dominance to the emergence of new icons like A’ja Wilson, Angel Reese, and Caitlin Clark, female athletes are not just excelling in their sports—they’re reshaping cultural narratives and business models alike.
Moss makes the show’s commitment plain: “We’re giving a platform to women athletes across every sector—WWE, boxing, tennis, basketball. This is their moment in the sun, and we’re here for it.”
This isn’t token coverage. The producers’ alignment with this mission signals a fundamental shift in how women’s sports are covered—with the same seriousness, production value, and analytical depth traditionally reserved for men’s athletics. In an era where women’s basketball is breaking viewership records and female athletes are becoming cultural icons in their own right, “106 & Sports” recognizes that treating women’s sports as secondary is no longer just poor journalism—it’s bad business.
A show unlike any other
What ultimately sets “106 & Sports” apart is its rejection of the cookie-cutter format that dominates sports programming. The hosts promise coverage that isn’t sanitized, commentary that reflects genuine perspective, and storytelling that respects the intelligence of its audience.
As the sports media landscape fragments into niche audiences and polarized commentary, Newton and Moss are building something different—a space where sports conversations can be both substantive and entertaining, where accountability coexists with empathy, and where the cultural dimensions of athletics receive the attention they deserve.
The sense of purpose surrounding “106 & Sports” suggests it’s more than just another entry in the sports content ecosystem. It represents a reclamation of sports storytelling—an expansion of what sports media can be when it prioritizes authenticity over controversy, and community over clicks. If the passion of its hosts translates to the screen, this show won’t just cover the culture of sports—it will help shape it.