The Crown Network

First Word

Sports EN ↓ 65 episodes

First Word with James Rapien is Cincinnati’s ONLY daily morning sports show, delivering the latest news, analysis, and insider insight on the biggest stories in sports. Rapien is joined by Marisa Contipelli and Jacob Tissot to cover everything happening with the Bengals, Reds, FC Cincinnati, Bearcats, Musketeers and Ohio State Buckeyes. From breaking news and game reactions to exclusive interviews, roster updates, and expert analysis, First Word gets you caught up on everything you need to know before the day starts. Watch LIVE weekdays from 7-11AM ET on YouTube and the Rock Entertainment Spor...

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Episodes

6/23/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Lose to Brewers, NBA Draft Talk 23.06.2026 1:27:11

The Cincinnati Reds lost to the Milwaukee Brewers in extra innings on Monday night at Great American Ball Park. Also, some NBA Draft talk. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/ Listen...

6/22/26: Hours 3 and 4, Reds vs. Brewers, Dusty May to the Dallas Mavericks 22.06.2026 1:26:26

The second half of First Word with James Rapien from June 22nd, 2026, including a preview of the Cincinnati Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, and Michigan head coach Dusty May taking the Dallas Mavericks head coaching job. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Fol...

6/22/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Win Series vs. Yankees 22.06.2026 1:26:55

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 22nd, 2026, including the Cincinnati Reds winning their weekend series against the New York Yankees. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...

6/19/26: Hours 3 and 4, Interview with Greg Garza Previewing USMNT 19.06.2026 1:27:11

The second half of First Word with James Rapien, including an interview with Greg Garza, a former FC Cincinnati and USMNT player, breaking down Friday's USMNT World Cup match against Australia. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Insta...

6/19/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Young Talent, Headlines, Brendan Sorsby Discussion 19.06.2026 1:27:07

The first half of First Word with James Rapien from June 19th, 2026, including a discussion about the Cincinnati Bengals young talent, headlines, and a discussion about Brendan Sorsby. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: htt...

6/18/26: Hours 3 and 4, Contipelli's Countdown, Reds Outlook 18.06.2026 1:27:06

The second half of First Word with James Rapien from June 18th, 2026, including discussion about the Cincinnati Reds and sound from Zac Taylor's press conference. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com...

6/18/26: Hours 1 and 2, Mike Petraglia Interview 18.06.2026 1:27:07

The first half of First Word with James Rapien from June 18th, 2026, including an interview with Mike Petraglia talking about the Cincinnati Reds. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/...

INTERVIEW: Barrett Carter on Bengals Defense, Dexter Lawrence Trade & Linebacker Room 18.06.2026 25:49

Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter joined the show to discuss the state of the defense, including his reaction to the Dexter Lawrence trade, his role moving forward, what he learned from his rookie year and his mindset going into this season. James Rapien, Marisa Contipelli and Jacob Tissot also talked to him about his leadership, DJ Turner's ascension, his plans ahead of training camp a...

6/17/26: Hours 3 and 4, Part 2 of Barrett Carter Interview, Reds/Mets Preview 17.06.2026 1:27:13

The final two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 17th, including the second part of the interview with Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter and a preview of the series finale with the Cincinnati Reds and the New York Mets. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https...

6/17/26: Hours 1 and 2, First Half of Barrett Carter Interview, Reds Win Series over Mets 17.06.2026 1:27:10

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien, including the first half of the interview with Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Barrett Carter, and the Cincinnati Reds winning their series over the New York Mets. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follo...

6/16/26: Hours 3 and 4, Paul Dehner Jr. Interview 16.06.2026 1:26:58

Paul Dehner Jr., Senior Writer and The Growler Podcast host covering the Cincinnati Bengals, joins the second half of First Word with James Rapien. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy...

6/16/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Dominate Mets 16.06.2026 1:28:35

The Cincinnati Reds began their series against the New York Mets with a 12-0 win on Monday night. Hear about all of that and more in the first half of June 16th's First Word with James Rapien. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instag...

6/15/26: Hours 3 and 4, Brian Parker II Interview, Reds-Mets Preview 15.06.2026 1:26:40

2026 Bengals draft pick Brian Parker II, a 2022 St. Xavier high school graduate, joins the First Word crew. Plus, topics including the Cincinnati Reds series against the New York Mets. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: htt...

6/15/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Lose Series, Bengals Trade Opportunities, and Knicks Win Title 15.06.2026 1:26:42

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 15th, including the Cincinnati Reds losing their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Cincinnati Bengals and their trade opportunities, and the New York Knicks winning the NBA title. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitt...

6/12/26: Hours 3 and 4, Geoff Cameron World Cup Preview, and Reds Talk 12.06.2026 1:27:09

The second half of First Word with James Rapien, including an interview with Geoff Cameron previewing the World Cup, and Reds talking entering their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: h...

6/12/26: Hours 1 and 2, While You Slept, Bengals Ring of Honor 12.06.2026 1:26:48

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien, including headlines from while you were sleeping, Bengals Ring of Honor discussion, and more. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/...

6/11/26: Hours 3 and 4, Contipelli's Countdown, Cashius Howell Contract, and Reds 11.06.2026 1:26:31

The second half of First Word with James Rapien, including Contipelli's Countdown, the Cashius Howell contract, and the Reds. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/ Listen to First Word...

6/11/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Lose on Walk-off, Knicks Comeback 11.06.2026 1:27:16

The Cincinnati Reds lost to the San Diego Padres on a walk-off home run. The New York Knicks completed the largest comeback in NBA Finals history. All of that and more in the first two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 11, 2026. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https:...

6/10/26: Hours 3 and 4, John Fanta NBA Finals Preview 10.06.2026 1:26:40

The second half of First Word with James Rapien from June 10th, 2026, including an NBA Finals Game 4 preview with NBC broadcaster John Fanta. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/ List...

6/10/26: Hours 1 and 2, Bengals Restructure Joe Burrow's Contract, Reds Win in Extras 10.06.2026 1:28:17

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 10th, 2026. Topics include the Cincinnati Bengals restructuring Joe Burrow's contract and the Cincinnati Reds beating the San Diego Padres in extra innings. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy F...

6/9/26: Hours 3 and 4, Ben Baby Interview 09.06.2026 1:26:18

The second half of First Word with James Rapien from June 9th, 2026, including an in-studio interview with Ben Baby, Bengals reporter for ESPN. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/ Li...

6/9/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Lose, Bengals Schedule Game, Spurs Win 09.06.2026 1:26:58

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 9th, 2026, including discussions about the Cincinnati Reds losing to the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Bengals schedule predictions, and the San Antonio Spurs winning Game 3 of the NBA Finals. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twit...

6/8/26: Hours 3 and 4, Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Ruled Eligible 08.06.2026 1:26:58

The second half of First Word with James Rapien, including a discussion about Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby being ruled eligible for the 2026 season. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcinc...

6/8/26: Hours 1 and 2, Reds Get Swept 08.06.2026 1:27:24

The first two hours of First Word with James Rapien from June 8th, 2026, focusing on the Reds getting swept in St. Louis by the Cardinals. -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Twitter: https://x.com/FirstWordCincy Follow First Word on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstwordcincy/ Listen...

INTERVIEW: Orlando Brown Jr. Breaks Down Bengals' Offseason, Joe Burrow, Contract Extension & More 05.06.2026 32:24

Orlando Brown Jr. joins First Word to discuss the Cincinnati Bengals' busy offseason, his new contract extension, the state of the offensive line, and expectations for the 2026 season. James Rapien and Jacob Tissot also ask Brown about Joe Burrow's Super Bowl comments, Amarius Mims' development and so much more! -------------------------------------------- Subscribe to First Word on YouTube: htt...