Kent Taylor Biography: Award-Winning Sports Director at WLKY-TV Louisville
Kent Taylor is an Emmy Award-winning American sports journalist and the longtime Sports Director at WLKY-TV, the CBS affiliate in Louisville, Kentucky.
He is a highly recognized sports journalist in the region, having been named AP KY TV Sportscaster of the Year multiple times (2008, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2019).
Before joining WLKY, Taylor spent 22 years at WAVE-TV in Louisville, where he was also a two-time NSMA Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year.
He announced his departure from WAVE-TV in November 2022 to pursue new opportunities and spend more time with his family, including coaching his daughter’s basketball team.
Throughout his career, Taylor has covered a wide range of major sporting events, including the Olympics, the Ryder Cup, numerous Final Fours, and many years of Kentucky Derby and high school football coverage.
Early Life and Education
Kent Taylor, a Louisville native, graduated from St. Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky. He pursued higher education at Miami University in Ohio, where he earned his degree.
Career
Kent Taylor began his career at WLKY-TV, a CBS affiliate in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1992 as an intern under Fred Cowgill and Rick Van Hoose.
He joined WLKY as an editor and photographer in 1994, working there for six years. In July 2000, he moved to WAVE 3 News, where he served as Sports Director and the 11 p.m. sports anchor.
Taylor returned to WLKY in June 2023 as Sports Director, joining a team that includes Fred Cowgill, Britt Del Barba, and Dominique Yates.
With over 30 years of experience, Taylor has covered significant events, including every Kentucky Derby since 1994, the Final Four, PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, Ryder Cup, University of Louisville’s 2005 Gator Bowl and 2006 Orange Bowl, Western Kentucky’s 2002 NCAA Division 1-AA National Championship, and Kentucky’s 1996 and 2012 National Championships.
He hosted “Inside the Cards,” a weekly show featuring UofL football and basketball coaches, from 2014 to 2022, and provided play-by-play for UofL men’s basketball games on ACC Network Extra and ESPN3.
Since 2010, he has hosted “The Scotty Davenport Show” for Bellarmine basketball, including their 2010-11 Division II National Championship season.
Notable Achievements
Taylor’s extensive coverage of Louisville sports and his engaging broadcasting style have made him a prominent figure in Kentucky sports media.
His work spans high-profile college and professional sports events, and he has been a consistent voice in local sports programming, including hosting duties for various sports shows and play-by-play commentary.
Awards and Recognitions
Associated Press (AP) Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year: Won six times, including in 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2015.
National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Kentucky TV Sportscaster of the Year: Received twice, including in 2014.
Ohio Valley Emmy: Awarded for Kentucky Derby coverage.
AP Awards: Recognized for high school prep shows and play-by-play work.
Louisville Magazine Awards:
Voted “Best Sports Reporter” in 2013.
Voted “Best TV Sportscaster” in 2016 and 2017.
Louisville Catholic Sports Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2024; served as host for nine years and sits on the selection committee.
Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame: Member of the selection committee.
Age:
Kent Taylor was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and is estimated to be in his late 40s to early 50s, though his exact date of birth has not been publicly disclosed. He is of White ethnicity and holds American nationality.
Wife:
Kent Taylor is married to Connie Leonard, a highly respected and Emmy-winning journalist who currently works as an investigative reporter at WAVE 3 News in Louisville, Kentucky.
The couple has been together since August 1999, and they are one of Louisville’s most recognized media pairs, with Connie in news and Kent in sports.
Additionally, Connie Leonard has had a distinguished career in both sports and news broadcasting.
She joined WAVE in 1995 and has served in multiple roles, including co-anchor of WAVE News Sunrise and now as a Troubleshooter investigator, where she focuses on consumer protection and accountability journalism.
Her work has earned her 11 Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award, among other honors.
Together, Kent and Connie have one daughter, Emerson Taylor, who was born in 2012.
The family resides in Louisville, Kentucky, and they are known for keeping their personal life relatively private while remaining active in the local community.
Height, Weight:
Kent Taylor is estimated to stand around 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm) and weighs approximately 170 pounds (77 kg).
Career and Background:
Kent Taylor joined WLKY-TV in 1999 and has since served as the station’s Sports Director.
Over the years, he has covered major sporting events including multiple Final Fours, Super Bowls, and every Kentucky Derby since joining WLKY.
Taylor has also conducted exclusive interviews with major athletes and coaches across the college and professional sports spectrum.
In addition, he is a multiple-time Emmy Award winner and has received recognition from the Associated Press and the Kentucky Broadcasters Association for excellence in sports journalism.
WLKY-TV (CBS Affiliate – Louisville, KY)
1992: Kent Taylor began his broadcasting career with an internship at WLKY-TV in Louisville, Kentucky.
He worked under the mentorship of veteran journalists Fred Cowgill and Rick Van Hoose, gaining hands-on experience in sports journalism while still a student at Miami University in Ohio.
1994: After graduating, Kent officially joined WLKY as an editor and photographer.
His early responsibilities included shooting and editing sports segments, which allowed him to develop a deep understanding of both the technical and storytelling aspects of broadcast journalism.
1994–2000s: During his first tenure at WLKY, Kent covered some of the most prestigious sporting events in the country.
He began his streak of covering the Kentucky Derby in 1994—a tradition he has upheld every year since.
His assignments also included the NCAA Final Four, PGA Championship, Senior PGA Championship, and the Ryder Cup, solidifying his reputation as a trusted and knowledgeable sports journalist in the Louisville market.
WAVE 3 News (NBC Affiliate – Louisville, KY)
2000s–2022: Kent transitioned to WAVE 3 News, where he took on the role of Sports Director.
He became the 11 p.m. sports anchor, a position held by only a few in the station’s history.
Over the next two decades, Kent became a cornerstone of WAVE’s sports coverage, known for his authoritative delivery and deep local sports knowledge.
At WAVE, Kent co-anchored Touchdown Friday Night, a high school football show that earned Best Prep Sports Show honors from the Associated Press in 2012 and 2017.
His coverage extended beyond high school sports to include major national and international events such as:
- UofL’s 2006 Orange Bowl victory
- UK’s 1996 NCAA Championship
- Western Kentucky’s 2002 NCAA Division I-AA title
- The 2001 Brickyard 400
- The 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City
- The 2015 Triple Crown run of American Pharoah
2014–2022: Kent hosted Inside the Cards, a weekly coaches’ show featuring University of Louisville football and basketball.
He also hosted The Scotty Davenport Show, highlighting Bellarmine University basketball. His versatility extended to live sports broadcasting, where he served as:
- Play-by-play announcer for the Arena 2 Louisville Fire
- Sideline reporter for UofL football spring games on ESPNU
- Play-by-play voice for UofL men’s basketball on ACC Network Extra
His work at WAVE earned him numerous accolades, including:
- 6× AP Kentucky Sportscaster of the Year
- 2× NSMA Kentucky TV Sportscaster of the Year
- An Emmy Award for Kentucky Derby coverage
- Recognition from Louisville Magazine as Best Sports Reporter (2013) and Best TV Sportscaster (2016, 2017)
Return to WLKY-TV
2023–Present: After more than two decades at WAVE, Kent returned to WLKY-TV as a Sports Anchor, bringing his wealth of experience full circle.
Back at the station where his career began, he continues to lead sports coverage with the same passion and professionalism that have defined his career.
Kent Taylor – Notable Colleagues in Louisville Broadcasting
- Fred Cowgill – Longtime Sports Director at WLKY and one of Kent’s early mentors during his 1992 internship.
- Rick Van Hoose – Veteran news anchor at WLKY, also part of the team during Kent’s early years.
- Jennifer Baileys – News anchor and reporter at WLKY.
- Erica Fox – Anchor with a focus on morning and midday newscasts.
- Vicki Dortch – Evening news anchor, known for her long-standing presence at the station.
Net Worth and Salary:
Kent Taylor, the longtime Sports Director at WLKY-TV, is estimated to earn an annual salary between $90,000 and $130,000, depending on his contract terms, seniority, and the station’s market size.
With over 30 years of experience in broadcast journalism—including two decades at WAVE 3 before returning to WLKY—his net worth is estimated to range between $700,000 and $1.2 million.
This figure reflects his accumulated earnings, retirement contributions, benefits, and potential income from speaking or hosting engagements.
Is Kent Taylor Married?
Yes, Kent Taylor is married to Connie Leonard Taylor, a news anchor at WAVE 3 News. They have a daughter named Emerson and live in east Louisville.
How Old Is Kent Taylor?
While Kent Taylor has not publicly disclosed his date of birth, based on his career timeline, he is estimated to be in his late 40s to early 50s.
Where Is Kent Taylor Working?
Kent Taylor is currently working at WLKY-TV (CBS affiliate) in Louisville, Kentucky, where he serves as a Sports Anchor.
He returned to WLKY in 2023, bringing with him decades of experience in sports journalism, including a 20+ year tenure as Sports Director at WAVE 3 News.
At WLKY, he continues to lead coverage of major sporting events such as the Kentucky Derby, NCAA tournaments, and local high school athletics, maintaining his reputation as one of Louisville’s most respected sports broadcasters.
Kent Taylor is active on social media:
X (Twitter): @KentTaylorTV – Shares sports updates and coverage.
Instagram: @kent.taylor.16 – Posts behind-the-scenes and event coverage.
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