Ashley Nicole Moss has carved out a significant career as a journalist, analyst, and host across various major platforms, making her a prominent voice in contemporary sports and culture. Beyond her new role at BET, Moss is known for her insightful work as an analyst at CBS Sports and as a dynamic host for Complex.
This breadth of experience has perfectly positioned her for the challenge of helming BET’s new iteration of an iconic franchise: 106 & Sports.
The show updates the legendary 106 & Park format, shifting the focus to the intersection of hip-hop culture and sports, perfectly aligning with Moss’s multifaceted expertise. Alongside co-host Cam Newton, she is tasked with bridging the gap between an esteemed television legacy and the demands of a modern, sports-centric audience.
For Moss, landing the role remains a “surreal” accomplishment, recognizing the weight and significance of the “106” name, which she first encountered as a dedicated fan.
I recently caught up with Moss by phone and during our Q&A, we discussed her new role, her opinions on the sports and entertainment landscape and her beloved New York Knicks and the Dallas Cowboys.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: How cool is it to do this project with 106 & Sports?
Ashley Nicole Moss: It’s so cool. Even now, three episodes in, I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet. When you’re in the industry for a while, you’re always thinking about what’s next and what the next thing is. You don’t always get the chance to really relish in the moments and the accomplishments that got you to where you are. When I got 106, it was definitely one of those moments where I thought, “This is pretty cool.” It’s still very surreal to me—going out there every week with Cam, seeing the crowd, seeing that we’re on BET. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet.
Reflecting on the 106 & Park Legacy
106 & Park was a popular American music countdown show that aired on BET from 2000 to 2014, becoming a cultural staple for hip-hop and R&B fans. The show was best known for its daily countdown of the top 10 music videos, determined by viewer votes, featuring new and established artists.
Hosted by dynamic duos like Free and AJ and later Terrence J and Rocsi, it also included in-studio interviews, live performances, and comedic skits. Beyond music, it was a crucial platform for promoting fashion, film, and social issues relevant to a young, primarily Black audience. 106 & Park served as the Black Entertainment Television network’s flagship program for many years, shaping music video culture for an entire generation.
Moss spoke reverently about her point of entry of the show and the full circle moment now as a host on 106 & Sports.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: What was your earliest recollection of 106 & Park as a consumer?
Ashley Nicole Moss: I think when Chris Brown debuted his “Run It” video. That’s a memory that sticks out in my head. Like most girls, that’s when I fell in love with Chris Brown—I thought I was going to marry him, along with hundreds of other young girls! Moments like that, or Michelle falling during the Destiny’s Child performance—there are so many things. But for me, the thing that sticks out the most is absolutely Chris Brown’s “Run It” debut. I was glued to the screen and just enamored by him.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: 106 & Sports is not 106 & Park. However, the original hosts are iconic. I know you’ve spoken to Bow Wow and met Terrence J. Have you gotten a chance to talk to AJ and Free?
Ashley Nicole Moss: I have not. I ran into AJ and Free at the BET Awards when Cam and I announced the show. Free, at least, knew Cam, and we briefly met and spoke, but I haven’t had a chance to really sit down and pick their brains. AJ and Free were a little before my introduction to 106. My introduction really was Roxy and Terrence J, and then Julissa and Big Tigger, Bow Wow, and Keisha. Those were my memories of the hosts. But again, AJ and Free started the whole thing, so it was an honor to just meet them at the BET Awards.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: And you were on Big Tigger’s radio show?
Ashley Nicole Moss: We were. And Cam had an opportunity to give him his flowers, which he really appreciated. It’s a cool fraternity and sorority, and it’s nice to see the path it has taken so many different people in so many directions, but also what the unifier is. To be part of the family, if you will, is a blessing, to say the least.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You held the actual 106 & Park microphone with the mic flag during Norfolk University’s Homecoming Weekend. How nostalgic was that for you?
Ashley Nicole Moss: Insane. If you could have told me, when I was around 12 or 13 and first watching 106, that I would be holding that mic, I would have never believed you. That was the dream job for so many people. Fast-forward 15 years from that moment to holding it, a remake of the set—it was very, very unreal. And to be there with Bow Wow, Mr. 106 & Park himself—it was a full-circle moment. It’s definitely not something I took for granted. It was a true “whoa” moment.
The Sports Fandoms
Ashley Nicole Moss is a confirmed New York Knicks fan, known for her work with Knicks Fan TV and discussing the team across various sports media platforms. Her fandom in the NFL is centered on the Dallas Cowboys, a team she has discussed in relation to their struggles on sports shows. These two teams, the Knicks and the Cowboys, are prominent topics in her sports commentary and analysis as a host.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: As a diehard New York Knicks fan, what was your point of entry with Knicks basketball?
Ashley Nicole Moss: My dad. I didn’t have a choice. There’s a picture of me as a baby wearing his hat—it was two sizes too big for my head. Knicks fans are one of those fan bases that don’t choose it, it chooses you, and it’s passed down from generation to generation. That’s why people don’t realize when the Knicks win, why it means so much, and when they lose, why it hurts so much. It’s because you’ve been in it since birth. We don’t pick the Knicks. The Knicks pick us. When we say “bleed orange and blue,” that’s a real thing.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Nas made a song called “If I Ruled the World.” If you ruled the world today, would you like to see Giannis in a Heat uniform or a Knicks uniform?
Ashley Nicole Moss: Obviously, the Knicks. I want only bad things for the Miami Heat. But I say this all the time: I don’t want to bring in any player that would jeopardize what the Knicks have built. I like what we’ve built. It’s taken us a long time and many losing seasons to get to this point. Yes, you always want the big fish, but I don’t know if I’m willing to jeopardize the years of building that we have done. So, I will always say Giannis in a Knicks jersey, but if that comes at a really hefty price, I don’t know how I feel about that. I like what the Knicks are building.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Who are your top three dream guests on 106 & Sports?
Ashley Nicole Moss: Easy! Carmelo Anthony, Ludacris and probably Allen Iverson or Deion Sanders. AI is, along with Kobe, one of the reasons I fell in love with basketball. Carmelo, I’ve been a diehard fan since his Syracuse days. Luda, I love Luda. He’s Atlanta himself, and he was one of the first people I ever heard drop a bar about the Atlanta Falcons that anybody was singing. Since we film in Atlanta, it just makes sense to have Luda. And Deion—I really love what he’s done as a player, as a coach, and as a father. He goes against the grain and isn’t afraid to ruffle feathers. In a lot of ways, he reminds me of Cam. I would love to have him on the show and just pick his brain.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Last question. You’re a Dallas Cowboys fan. What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
Ashley Nicole Moss: Listen, my expectations weren’t high going into the season. I’m pleased when we win games. I’m not surprised when we lose—I’m sometimes surprised at the way we lose them, though. I think my biggest win for the season would be if we can just get through this season with our Defensive Coordinator being fired. My man’s gotta go. The season is not going to result in a championship; we’ll be lucky to get a wild card spot. Just fire the man and let’s start from scratch. It’s a shame because this is probably one of Dak’s best years, and yet the immediate future in Dallas isn’t looking too bright. Trevon got a concussion, so it just seems to rain and pour in Dallas. My expectations are not high at all.
Conclusion: An Authentic Voice in Sports Culture
Through this new endeavor, Ashley Nicole Moss is not just hosting a show; she is inheriting and revitalizing a culturally significant brand that shaped a generation. Her deep-seated sports fandoms, particularly for the New York Knicks and Dallas Cowboys, offer an authentic, passionate perspective that resonates with viewers who understand the pain and loyalty of being a lifelong fan. As she noted, her childhood experience holding the actual 106 & Park microphone was a profound “full-circle moment” that highlighted the immense reach of the platform.
Moss understands the need to balance the show’s legacy with the need to explore contemporary sports narratives and bring on culturally relevant guests like Carmelo Anthony and Deion Sanders.
Ultimately, 106 & Sports is positioned to become a new cultural touchstone and Moss, with her genuine enthusiasm and knowledgeable takes, is the ideal co-host to guide it into the future.
Her role ensures that the conversation surrounding sports and entertainment on BET remains dynamic, relatable, and deeply informed by Black culture.
