AJ Ricketts | Play-by-Play Broadcaster

From goal-line stands in front of raucous Miami crowds to a bowl victory in the Bahamas, AJ Ricketts has chronicled the last seven seasons of FIU Football, serving as the play-by-play broadcaster for Panther football, basketball and baseball on ESPN+. Ricketts has also joined MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, serving as a prominent voice of MLS NEXT Pro in its first two season on the platform.

Based in Miami, AJ has also contributed to the WatchESPN platform on assignments for ACC Network Extra, broadcasting Miami Hurricanes baseball, track & field, volleyball, and tennis, while also serving as an adjunct professor in the FIU School of Communication, creating a new course - 'Sports Broadcasting and Performance'. He has also been on the call for MLS, NWSL, and USL matches.

Ricketts began his television career at WECT/FOX Wilmington in North Carolina. There, he covered UNCW's impressive runs to consecutive NCAA Tournaments under now NC State head coach Kevin Keatts. In 2016, Ricketts earned first place in Sports Reporting at the annual Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas (RTDNAC) Awards. In addition to the UNCW and local sports beat, his coverage included numerous ACC Tournaments and storylines throughout the Carolinas.

Ricketts, a former student-athlete with the 'Canes as a four-year letterman for the Cross Country team, maintains a running presence in the community as the Head Coach of the Riviera Prep XC & Track program and finisher of the Miami and Boston Marathons.

Ricketts also spent two years as the lead play-by-play voice for Miami Hurricanes Women's Basketball and Baseball. Ricketts informed listeners with sit down pre-game conversations with legendary head coach Jim Morris, chronicling the 'Canes thrilling run to Omaha and walk off in TD Ameritrade Park against Arkansas, after completing coverage of the women's basketball season with decorated former Duke point guard and longtime Miami head coach Katie Meier. Ricketts was the Sports Director of WVUM 90.5 FM in 2014-2015, which had recently been named the #1 student radio station in the country.

A Pensacola, FL native, Ricketts has also hosted a coach's show on Bally Sports Florida, broadcast USL and NWSL action on ESPN+, and filled in on calls for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos - now the Miami Marlins AA affiliate, the Jacksonville Dolphins men's basketball program, and Nova Southeastern University. He was inducted into Iron Arrow, the highest honor one can receive at the University of Miami, in March of 2015. Ricketts was an active member in the UM Student-Athlete Advisory Committe, and represented Miami at the ACC Meetings in Greensboro, NC. In addition to adjuncting a sports broadcast class in the FIU School of Communication and his involvement with the WECT college internship program, Ricketts has been invited to speak to broadcast students at both the University of Miami and University of North Carolina.