Treavor Scales grew up in Stone Mountain in the 1990s and 2000s loving all the major sports teams: the Atlanta Braves, the Atlanta Hawks, the Atlanta Falcons, the UGA Bulldogs.
After eight years at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, Scales has returned home to host Bally Sports’ “Braves Live” and “Hawks Live” shows starting with the Braves home game Tuesday, Sept. 14 against the Colorado Rockies. He replaces Jerome Jurenovich, who recently chose to retire.
“It’s good to be back,” Scales said in an interview Thursday.
Here’s a quick profile on Scales:
Age: 30
Graduated: Dunwoody High School, 2009; Harvard University, 2013
Tried out with: the Atlanta Falcons as a running back but didn’t get far during rookie camp at Flowery Branch in 2013. But he did rub shoulders with the more talented rookie Desmond Trufant, who spent seven seasons with the Falcons. “I gave it my best but didn’t get a call back,” he said. “It was just a joy to be in the Atlanta Falcons locker room.”
How he broke into broadcasting: “I always had it in my mind to be a sports broadcaster. I joined ESPN in a crewing position [a job involving scheduling] and worked my tail off... After two years, I got a fellowship for people wanting to be on air but didn’t necessarily have the experience.” Eventually, ESPN gave him a bunch of broadcast jobs, including “SportsNation” on ESPN+, “SportsCenter” on Snapchat and “The College Football Show” on Twitter, YouTube and the ESPN app.
Why come to Atlanta: His family is still based here and he rekindled a relationship with a college friend who lives in Atlanta. They are now engaged to be married. So when his agent heard about the Bally Sports opening, he jumped at the chance. “It was a perfect opportunity for me professionally and personally,” he said.
Fortuitous arrival: “This is a great time to be an Atlanta sports fan. The expectations are high for both franchises. Both of them are ready to rise to the occasion.”
His memory of the 2017 Super Bowl Falcons blow-up: “I was visiting a friend in Boston. I was feeling great after three quarters. I heard from the ESPN stats department that no team had ever come back 25 down. I had that in mind as I watched this disaster unfold. It was the saddest hour driving back to Bristol I ever had.” (He rode in silence. No way he was listening to Boston sports radio that night!)
The transition with Jurenovich: “I’m so appreciative of him welcoming me with open arms. He really speaks to my fandom as an adult. Now I’m walking into the building with him. He’s been nothing but gracious.”
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