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Yianni Kourakis is the award-winning sports director for WPRI 12 and FOX Providence. Yianni anchors sports for 12 News at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., and hosts and produces the Sports Wrap nightly at 10:45 on FOX Providence, the Patriots Wrap and New England Nation. Since joining the 12 News team in September 2013, Yianni has covered four Patriots Super Bowls including thrilling wins over the Seahawks, Falcons and Rams, as well as two Red Sox World Series wins in 2013 and 2018. On all occasions, Yianni hosted live post-game shows from the field after the championship. In 2019, he covered the Bruins Stanley Cup Final run. He also followed URI and PC basketball in the NCAA Tournament, the Friars Hockey Championship team, hosted Inside Rhode Island Basketball with Dan Hurley and covered Celtics playoff games. During the fall, Yianni hosts the high school football show the Friday Night Blitz with Morey Hershgordon. In the podcast space, Yianni hosts “Double O.T.” alongside Morey. Yianni is a Rhode Island native and graduate of South Kingstown High School. While at WPRI, he has been nominated for three Emmy Awards, won an Associated Press Award for Best Program and won the Rhode Island Monthly award for Best Sportscaster. Prior to returning to the Ocean State, Yianni was a sports anchor/reporter at WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia, where he was named Associated Press Sportscaster of the Year in Virginia twice. Yianni also worked at WBOC-TV in Salisbury, Maryland, and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. He is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland. Go Terps! Back in his home state, Yianni loves covering the teams he grew up watching. He lives in East Greenwich with his wife Beth, and young children, Paige and Chip. If you have a story idea for Yianni please email him at ykourakis@wpri.com and follow him on Twitter @YianniKourakis.ChatGPT
Yianni Kourakis, an accomplished sports director at WPRI 12 and FOX Providence, has made his mark in the world of sports journalism. He takes the helm as the anchor for sports coverage during the 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. editions of 12 News. In addition to his anchoring duties, Yianni wears multiple hats as he hosts and produces the nightly Sports Wrap show at 10:45 on FOX Providence, as well as the Patriots Wrap and New England Nation.
Joining the 12 News team in September 2013, Yianni has had the privilege of covering four exhilarating Patriots Super Bowls, including unforgettable victories against the Seahawks, Falcons, and Rams. He has also been present to witness the Red Sox clinching World Series triumphs in 2013 and 2018. On each of these momentous occasions, Yianni has taken the stage as the host of live post-game shows, providing fans with immediate insights and reactions right from the field.
In 2019, he ventured into the world of hockey, covering the Bruins’ Stanley Cup Final run. Yianni’s coverage extends beyond professional sports, as he diligently follows URI and PC basketball in the NCAA Tournament, celebrates the Friars Hockey Championship team, hosts “Inside Rhode Island Basketball” with Dan Hurley, and delves into the intense action of Celtics playoff games. During the fall, Yianni takes on the role of hosting the high school football show, the Friday Night Blitz, alongside Morey Hershgordon. For those who prefer podcasts, Yianni co-hosts “Double O.T.” with Morey, bringing sports discussions to the digital realm.
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Yianni is a proud graduate of South Kingstown High School. His dedication and talent have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by his three Emmy Award nominations, an Associated Press Award for Best Program, and the Rhode Island Monthly award for Best Sportscaster, all earned during his time at WPRI.
Before returning to his home state, Yianni made a name for himself as a sports anchor/reporter at WRIC-TV in Richmond, Virginia, where he was honored with the Associated Press Sportscaster of the Year in Virginia award twice. His career journey also included stints at WBOC-TV in Salisbury, Maryland, and the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. Yianni proudly holds a degree from the University of Maryland, where he cheers on the Terps.
When back in his home state, Yianni revels in the opportunity to cover the teams he grew up watching. He resides in East Greenwich with his wife, Beth, and their young children, Paige and Chip.