First Word with James Rapien

James Rapien

Host

James Rapien hosts First Word every weekday from 7–11 a.m. ET, breaking down the biggest stories in sports. Before joining The Crown Network, he spent six seasons covering the Cincinnati Bengals for Sports Illustrated. He’s also the creator of Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube and the author of Enter the Jungle, a book on the team’s history. A University of Cincinnati graduate, Rapien has established himself as a leading voice in sports media.

Marisa Contipelli

Host

Marisa Contipelli co-hosts First Word weekdays from 7–11 a.m. ET, where she also contributes feature storytelling and producing across the network. Contipelli joined The Crown Network after eight seasons as a Team Reporter and Senior Producer for the Cincinnati Bengals, where she became a trusted voice delivering in-depth coverage and compelling player-driven content. Prior to her time in the NFL, Contipelli worked with Spectrum Sports in Columbus, covering professional, collegiate and high school teams all across Ohio. She also serves as an in-game host for the Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State Football, showcasing her versatility across both live entertainment and studio programming. A Cleveland native and proud Ohio State graduate, Contipelli’s sports roots run deep as her energy, credibility, and passion have made her a recognizable voice throughout the area.

Jacob Tissot

Host

Jacob Tissot co-hosts First Word every weekday from 7–11 a.m. ET, providing insight daily on the biggest stories in Cincinnati sports. Before joining The Crown Network, he spent four seasons working with the University of Alabama football program as a student assistant, contributing to a National Championship and three SEC titles. A graduate of the University of Alabama and St. Xavier High School, Tissot is a Cincinnati native and avid fan of the city’s teams, bringing a local perspective to coverage of the Bengals, Reds, and beyond.