Fox Sports Net continues to assemble on-air personalities for its new daily extreme sports show 54321 by naming Angela Sun as the lead correspondent. Executive Producer Gary Considine also announced that the show has secured an impressive list of action sports athletes to serve as expert studio analysts and field reporters. 54321 debuts Monday, Jan. 27 at 5 PM local time.
Sun joins hosts Leeann Tweeden, Chad Towersey and Kip Williamson to present the first topical daily program covering the phenomenon of action sports. The 30-minute show airs weekdays, with replays each evening in prime time and late night.
As the lead correspondent, Sun will provide feature reports both in-studio and on site at major events being covered by 54321. Sun, a recent graduate of UCLA and a Los Angeles resident, has worked as a surfing instructor and is a proficient snowboarder. She has hosted "Beyond the Action," a behind the scenes look at action sports videos which has run on the Extreme Channel overseas.
One of the defining aspects of 54321 will be the show's ability to provide viewers a complete insider's look at the five major action sports: skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX and Moto-X. By hearing directly from many of the biggest names in each of those sports, extreme sports fans will hear first-person analysis and reports from many of their favorite athletes.
Each of the five sports has two expert analysts, who will be used on the show as their competitive schedules permit. Additional elite athletes will contribute as analysts on a regular basis. A brief background summary follows on each of them:
SKATE
Buckey Lasek-A skate competitor since 1986, he has won five X-Games medals. He received the highest vert run score in X-Games history in 2000 with a 98.6.
Mike Vallely-Professional skateboarder since 1984. He won the National Amateur Streetstyle Championship in 1986 before turning pro. He has his own board company, and appeared in the movie "XXX."
SNOW
Shannon Dunn-Professional snowboarder who is a two-time World Halfpipe Champion, an Olympic bronze medallist in 1998 and two-time U.S. Open Snowboarding Champion. She was the first female pro-snowboarder to have her own signature board in 1994.
Jason "J2" Rasmus-A pro for over 10 years, he has appeared in numerous snowboard videos. A Salt Lake City resident, he was nominated as best rail rider in Transworld Snowboarding Magazine in 2000.
SURF
Daize Shane-Was the World Champion longboarder in 1999 and has been a team rider for Roxy and Vans. She is also a musician, singer and model.
Strider Rasberry Wasilewski-A professional for over 15 years, he's best known for his efforts in the big left hand barrels like Pipeline in Hawaii and Teahupoo in Tahiti. He has been featured in print publications such as GQ, Spin, Vogue and Surfer's Journal.
MOTO-X
Brian Deegan-The leader of the "Metal Mulisha." He's won the most medals in X-Games history. He also is a Gravity Games gold medallist. Deegan, who appeared in the movie "XXX," is one of the elite few to back flip on his dirt bike.
Mike Metzger-Known for his backflip, he placed first in Summer X-Games 2002 in Big Air and Freestyle, also finished second in Freestyle in Gravity Games 2002.
BMX
Mike Escamilla-Nicknamed "Rooftop" since he is the first BMX rider to perform roof gaps. Is known for his anything-goes bike stunts.
Rick Thorne-Has spent the last 18 years touring and competing throughout the U.S. and at international events. Has placed in the Top-10 at both recent
X-Games and Gravity Games.
Fox Sport Net Bay Area reaches more than 3.6 million households in Northern California and Northern Nevada. Fox Sports Net Bay Area's programming includes San Francisco Giants and Oakland A's baseball, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings basketball, San Jose Sharks hockey, San Jose Earthquakes soccer, "The Best Damn Sports Show Period," NASCAR, and "54321." Fox Sports Net Bay Area is managed by Rainbow Sports Networks.
Rainbow Sports Networks is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Fox Sports Net reaches more than 79 million households nationwide and is a service of National Sports Partners, equally owned by Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., and Fox Entertainment Group. Rainbow Sports Networks incorporates Rainbow's 50% ownership in Fox Sports Net and Fox Sports National Advertising and the ownership and management of Fox Sports Net regional networks in five of the nation's largest markets: Chicago, San Francisco, New England, Ohio and Florida.