If you turn on FS1 at 8:00 AM ET, you’re going to see a man with hair that seems to have its own zip code and a Kansas City Chiefs obsession that borders on the religious. That’s Nick Wright. He is the anchor of Nick Wright First Things First, a show that has somehow survived the volatile carousel of sports media to become the cornerstone of Fox Sports' morning lineup. Love him or hate him—and let’s be real, a lot of people choose the latter—Nick Wright has cracked the code on what makes modern sports television actually work. It’s not about being "right." It’s about being interesting.
Most sports debates feel like a chore. You have two guys in suits yelling about "wanting it more" or "clutch genes." But Nick Wright First Things First feels different because Nick treats sports like a high-stakes legal trial where he is both the lead prosecutor and the guy selling popcorn in the back. He isn't just a talking head; he’s a character in a long-running soap opera for guys who care too much about Patrick Mahomes' passer rating.
The Evolution of First Things First
The show didn't start this way. Honestly, the early days were a bit stiff. When it launched in 2017, Nick was paired with Cris Carter. It was a traditional "pro athlete meets the stats guy" dynamic. It worked, but it didn't have that spark. It felt like a diet version of ESPN’s First Take. Then Cris Carter left. Then Kevin Wildes and Chris Broussard showed up. That’s when things got weird, and by weird, I mean great.
The current chemistry is the secret sauce. You have Broussard, the veteran NBA insider who tries to keep things grounded. You have Wildes, who is basically a mad scientist of "half-baked ideas." And then you have Nick, the conductor of the chaos. They’ve moved away from the "debate" format and toward a "hangout" format. You’re not watching people argue; you’re watching friends give each other a hard time about their terrible takes. It’s why the show’s ratings have stayed so consistent while other FS1 properties have struggled.
Why Nick Wright is the King of "The Hill"
Nick is famous for his "hills." These are the takes he is willing to die on, no matter how much evidence piles up against him. His most famous hill is, obviously, Patrick Mahomes. Nick was a Mahomes truther before Mahomes had even started a full season. He predicted the dynasty. He predicted the greatness. And because he was right about that one big thing, he uses it as a shield against every other time he’s been spectacularly wrong.
But it’s not just about the Chiefs. It’s the way he frames his arguments. He uses a "Prince" system for NBA players. He has a "Committee" for ranking NFL teams. It’s gimmickry, sure, but it’s high-level gimmickry. It gives the audience a language to speak. When you watch Nick Wright First Things First, you’re learning his specific vocabulary. It makes you feel like you’re part of an inside joke.
- The Prince: His unwavering belief that Luka Doncic is the heir to the NBA throne.
- The LeBron Factor: His legendary defense of LeBron James against the "Jordan is the GOAT" crowd.
- The Tiers: A ranking system that usually puts his favorites at the top and his "enemies" (looking at you, Josh Allen) in the basement.
The "Josh Allen" Rivalry and the Art of the Troll
One of the most entertaining aspects of the show is Nick’s refusal to give Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen his flowers. He calls him "The Alien" in a way that feels like a compliment but is actually a subtle dig at Allen’s inconsistency. Bills Mafia hates him. They absolutely loathe him. And Nick loves it.
He understands that in the 2026 media landscape, being a villain is just as profitable as being a hero. If you’re a Bills fan, you’re watching to see him get humbled. If you’re a Chiefs fan, you’re watching to see him gloat. Either way, you’re watching. That is the genius of Nick Wright First Things First. It’s a show built on the emotional investment of the viewer. He knows exactly which buttons to push to get a reaction.
The Technical Side of the Show’s Success
Why does this show rank so well on social media? It’s the clips. Most sports shows are 120 minutes of filler. Nick Wright First Things First is designed to be chopped up into 3-minute YouTube segments. The "Broussard’s Under the Duress" segments or Nick’s "I told you so" monologues are perfect for the algorithm. They are punchy, visually interesting with the graphics they use, and they always have a clear "winner" and "loser."
Fox Sports has leaned into this. They don't mind if Nick looks like a fool when he wears a "Never Doubt My Chiefs" t-shirt after a loss. In fact, they probably prefer it. The show has a self-awareness that is missing from a lot of sports media. They know they are talking about games. They know it’s supposed to be fun.
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The Supporting Cast: Wildes and Broussard
We can't talk about the show without giving credit to Kevin Wildes. Wildes is the unsung hero of the afternoon. His "No-Look Pass" segments and his bizarre analogies provide the perfect counterbalance to Nick’s intensity. If Nick is the guy at the bar who won't stop talking about his parlay, Wildes is the guy who’s just happy to be there and has a really weird story about a suburban lawn.
Chris Broussard provides the "street cred." As a longtime journalist, he brings a level of institutional knowledge that prevents the show from becoming too much of a circus. When Nick says something truly insane, Broussard is there to give him "the look"—that perfect expression of disappointed fatherhood that anchors the segment back to reality.
What People Get Wrong About Nick Wright
People think Nick is just a "homer" or a "troll." That’s a lazy critique. If you actually listen to his long-form monologues, the guy does his homework. He’s a stats nerd disguised as a shock jock. He remembers box scores from 2004. He understands the salary cap better than most GMs. He’s not just making things up; he’s taking real data and twisting it to fit his narrative. That’s a skill.
He’s also one of the few national voices who isn't afraid to get political or social when the moment calls for it. He’s been vocal about player rights and social justice issues in a way that feels authentic rather than corporate. It adds a layer of depth to his persona that makes his "sports troll" character more palatable. You might hate his take on the 49ers, but you respect his consistency.
How to Watch and Engage
If you’re new to the show, don't try to take it seriously at first. Just enjoy the ride.
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- Watch the YouTube Clips First: Don't commit to the whole two hours. Watch the "Committee" rankings on Tuesdays. That’s where the best stuff happens.
- Follow the Twitter Fallout: Half the fun of Nick Wright First Things First happens on X (formerly Twitter) after the show. See how the fanbases react to his rankings.
- Check the Betting Lines: Nick often references the gambling side of sports. Even if you don't bet, understanding the "spread" helps you understand his arguments.
The show airs every weekday. It’s become a staple for anyone who wants a side of entertainment with their sports news. It’s loud, it’s often wrong, and it’s always unapologetic.
Why the Show Matters in 2026
In an era where AI can generate a sports report or a box score summary in seconds, the human element is everything. People don't want "objective" news anymore; they want a perspective. They want to feel something. Nick Wright First Things First succeeds because it feels human. It feels like a conversation you’d have with your most annoying, smartest friend.
Nick has managed to turn being a "fan" into a professional career. He didn't play in the NFL. He didn't coach in the NBA. He’s just a guy who watched a lot of TV and decided he could do it better. And honestly? He was right.
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Next Steps for the Savvy Sports Fan:
- Track the "Prince" Rankings: Keep an eye on Nick’s NBA tiers throughout the playoffs. He usually doubles down right before a player has a massive collapse, which makes for great TV the next morning.
- Compare the "Committee" to the Actual Standings: Notice the discrepancy between where the "experts" have teams and where Nick puts them. Usually, his rankings are based on "who would win on a neutral field today," which is a much more interesting way to look at the league.
- Observe the Wardrobe: It sounds silly, but Nick’s outfits often signal his confidence level. If the hair is extra high and the suit is extra sharp, he’s about to drop a take that will trend for 48 hours.