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Jay Onrait
Jay Onrait
from Wikipedia

Jay Michael Onrait (born August 29, 1974) is a Canadian television personality and sports anchor who hosts SC with Jay Onrait on TSN. From 2003 to 2021, he was frequently paired with fellow Canadian broadcaster Dan O'Toole.[2]

Key Information

In his first stint with TSN, he and O'Toole co-anchored the daily 1:00 am (ET) edition of SportsCentre and were regarded as the lead anchor team for the network.[2] Onrait was hired by the US sports network FS1 to be its lead co-anchor in 2013, and his final SportsCentre broadcast for TSN aired June 28, 2013.[3] His final Fox Sports 1 show aired February 22, 2017. It was announced that Onrait and O'Toole would be returning to TSN to host a new show, SC with Jay and Dan, on March 1, 2017.[4]

Career

[edit]

Onrait first joined TSN in 1996 as an editorial assistant while attending Ryerson Polytechnic University.[5] He later went on to become sports director at CFSK-TV in Saskatoon and then spent two years as the host of The Big Breakfast on the A-Channel in Winnipeg. Onrait then joined NHL Network in 2001 as host of both the network's flagship show NHL on the Fly and Molson That's Hockey 2. He moved to TSN in 2002 and in 2003 began co-hosting SportsCentre alongside Dan O'Toole. In 2006, Onrait began blogging at TSN.ca. Topics have included the Stanley Cup and the NBA, as well as an all-day blog about the NHL trade deadline. His blogs are usually spiced with references to pop culture. In October 2010 he also became the host of the Sportscentre Morning Rush on TSN2 until it was taken off the air in October 2011.

During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver Onrait served as co-host of Olympic Morning alongside Beverly Thomson. During the 2012 Summer Olympics in London Onrait co-hosted daily live editions of SportsCentre from London alongside O'Toole.[citation needed]

On May 3, 2013, TSN announced that Onrait and his broadcast partner Dan O'Toole would be leaving SportsCentre for broadcast opportunities on U.S. television at the newly formed Fox Sports 1 in Los Angeles.[3] They continued to host SportsCentre until June 28, 2013.

Fox Sports Live debuted on August 17, 2013, with Onrait and O'Toole as hosts and aired its final episode on February 22, 2017, when the show was canceled and the two broadcasters' contracts were not renewed.[6]

On March 1, 2017, TSN announced that Onrait and Dan O'Toole would be returning to Canada to host a new show SC with Jay and Dan, which would premiere in Fall of 2017.[4] Its first episode aired September 4, 2017, at 12:00 am EST.

Podcast

[edit]

When Onrait and O'Toole returned to TSN in 2017, the podcast returned as well with Coors Light as the sponsor.[7] In 2019, Coors announced it would shift its advertising focus to the duo's SportsCentre show, which was later succeeded by McDonald's.

After O’Toole was laid off by TSN in 2021, Onrait announced the podcast would be on an "extended hiatus". The final four episodes were dedicated to O’Toole.

Personal life

[edit]

Onrait was raised in Boyle, Alberta[8] and Athabasca, Alberta.[9] His father was a pharmacist in Athabasca, and Onrait held jobs at the pharmacy growing up.

When Onrait graduated from Edwin Parr Composite School in 1992, he was given a $250 graduation award for physical education from the Royal Canadian Legion’s Athabasca branch, despite not taking any athletic classes in his final year of high school. In 2018, Onrait gave the Athabaca Legion a $251 refund at a fundraiser dinner for the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.[8]

Onrait has released two books.[2] Anchorboy, which doubles as his autobiography, was released on October 1, 2013. Number Two: More Short Tales from a Very Tall Man followed on October 27, 2015. Both were Canadian bestsellers and released in paperback in November 2016.

Since 2011,[10] Onrait has compiled a best albums year-end list with TSN sports personality Dave Hodge.

Onrait married Chobi Liang, a former TSN publicist, in October 2013,[11] after splitting with Darcy Modin in 2002.

Filmography

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Corner Gas: The Movie Denizen Jay
Television
Year Title Role Notes
2003–2013 SportsCentre Himself/co-anchor
2010 Olympic Morning Himself/co-host 2010 Winter Olympics
2013 But I'm Chris Jericho! Season 1 episode 1: "Sausage & Eggs"
2015 Weird Loners Himself Episode 3: "Weirded Out"
2013–2017 Fox Sports Live Himself/co-host
2020 Corner Gas Animated Kyle Season 3 episode 7: "Give Pizza Chants"
2017–2019 Letterkenny Himself 2 episodes
2017–2021 SC with Jay and Dan Himself/co-host/Anchor
2021–present SC with Jay Onrait Himself/host/Anchor
2022–present Shoresy Himself 2 episodes
2024 The Amazing Race Canada Himself Season 10 episode 5: "I Smell Like Carcass"

Awards

[edit]

Onrait was nominated for a Gemini Award in 2010, and won the award in 2011 for Best Sportscaster for his work on Sportscentre.[12]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jay Onrait (born August 29, 1974) is a Canadian sports broadcaster, television host, author, and podcaster best known for his work on TSN's flagship program and his current solo show SC with Jay Onrait. Born in and raised in , Onrait began his broadcasting career while attending Ryerson University, from which he earned a in Radio and Television Arts, following two years at the . Onrait's breakthrough came in 2003 when he joined TSN as a host of , initially partnering with and later forming a popular duo with that lasted until 2021, during which they delivered nightly sports highlights with a signature blend of humor and analysis. The pair's chemistry helped make late-night a cultural staple in , earning Onrait a Gemini Award for Best Sportscaster in 2011 and a nomination the previous year. He also covered major events, including co-hosting Olympic Morning at the 2010 Winter Olympics for CTV and anchoring from the 2012 Summer Olympics for TSN. In 2013, Onrait and O'Toole briefly ventured to the to host Fox Sports Live on , but they returned to TSN in 2017 to resume . Following O'Toole's departure in 2021, Onrait launched SC with Jay Onrait, a program featuring sports commentary, interviews, and his humorous takes, which continues to air as of 2025. Beyond television, Onrait authored two books—Anchorboy: True Tales from the World of Sportscasting (2013) and its sequel Number Two (2015)—chronicling his experiences in sports media, and he co-hosted the Jay and Dan Podcast from 2009 to 2021. Onrait resides in Toronto with his wife and two children, maintaining a profile that combines encyclopedic sports knowledge with self-deprecating wit, making him a beloved figure in Canadian broadcasting.

Early life and education

Early life

Jay Onrait was born on August 29, 1974, in Calgary, Alberta. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Athabasca, a small town in , where his father worked as a and eventually owned the local drug store. Onrait spent his childhood immersed in this family business, often assisting in the store's aisles amid the close-knit community of Athabasca, which fostered his early experiences in a quintessential small-town setting. At 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) tall even as a , Onrait's contributed to feelings of awkwardness during his formative years, particularly in social situations such as high school dances, where he struggled to blend in with peers. This physical stature, combined with the rhythms of small-town life, shaped his early perspective before transitioning to formal schooling in .

Education

Onrait graduated from Edwin Parr Composite School in Athabasca, Alberta, in 1992. Following high school, he enrolled at the in , where he spent two years studying sciences with initial plans to pursue , a field influenced by his father's profession. After this period, which Onrait later described as unproductive, he transferred to Ryerson Polytechnic University (now ) in the mid-1990s to study in the Radio and Television Arts program. While attending Ryerson, Onrait began his broadcasting career in 1996 as an editorial assistant at TSN, balancing his university studies with entry-level work in sports media. He completed a in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson in 1998.

Broadcasting career

Early roles at TSN

Jay Onrait joined TSN in 1996 as an editorial assistant while attending Ryerson Polytechnic University (now ). In this entry-level role on the program SPORTSDESK, he contributed behind the scenes by writing highlight scripts for prominent anchors and Jim Van Horne, working under producer Mark Milliere, who would later play a key role in his career advancement. Onrait's behind-the-scenes work at TSN during this period laid the groundwork for his transition to on-air , providing him with essential experience in sports production and . After graduating in 1998 and gaining initial on-air experience at other stations, including serving as Sports Director at a television station in and hosting The Big Breakfast on A-Channel for two years, he returned to the TSN ecosystem in 2001 by joining the newly launched NHL Network—a TSN-operated channel—as its inaugural host. In this role from 2001 to 2002, Onrait hosted the flagship nightly program NHL on the Fly, delivering live updates, analysis, and highlights from National Hockey League games, marking his first significant on-air exposure in a national sports broadcasting context. He also hosted Molson That's Hockey 2, a companion show focused on and features, which further honed his skills in engaging audiences with timely and entertaining sports content. These positions represented Onrait's progression from support staff to a visible on-air personality within TSN's hockey programming.

Co-hosting SportsCentre

In 2003, Jay Onrait began co-anchoring the 1:00 a.m. ET edition of TSN's alongside , marking the start of a decade-long partnership that transformed the late-night sports highlight show. The duo initially built on Onrait's earlier TSN experience, delivering recaps of major games and events in a format that emphasized quick highlights and analysis tailored for post-midnight audiences. Over the years, Onrait and O'Toole developed a signature humorous and irreverent style, blending sharp wit, absurd on-air stunts, and playful banter that set their broadcasts apart from more traditional sports reporting. This approach, which included segments like the paper bat skit during an NBA game and a music challenge to suppress laughter, injected comedy into routine highlights and boosted late-night viewership significantly, with the show averaging over 2 million weekly viewers by 2012—far surpassing competitors like Connected (101,000 viewers) and The Score (24,000 viewers). Their chemistry fostered a lighthearted tone, often featuring O'Toole's delivery contrasting Onrait's energetic antics, such as chugging or impersonating the Phantom of the Opera during anthems, which resonated with fans seeking entertainment alongside sports news. The pair enhanced fan engagement through interactive elements and emerging digital platforms, including Onrait's TSN.ca blog started in 2006, which often highlighted viewer-submitted ideas and behind-the-scenes humor from their shows. Key segments encouraged audience participation, such as impromptu dance parties synced to Euro Cup techno beats or reading fan reactions during broadcasts, cultivating a loyal following that appreciated the duo's accessible, fun-loving persona. This popularity peaked with their final SportsCentre episode in June 2013, a zanily humorous send-off that encapsulated their impact on Canadian sports media before their departure for opportunities abroad.

Tenure at Fox Sports 1

In 2013, Jay Onrait and his longtime broadcasting partner left TSN after over a decade together to join the newly launched network as lead co-anchors of Fox Sports Live, a nightly highlight show that debuted on August 17, 2013. The duo signed a two-year deal, relocating from to to anchor the program, which aimed to provide an alternative to ESPN's through a mix of recaps, analysis, and humor. Their established chemistry from co-hosting —characterized by irreverent banter and comedic segments—carried over briefly, helping to infuse the show with a distinctive, lighthearted tone. The relocation presented significant personal and professional challenges for Onrait and O'Toole, including gut-wrenching family decisions—O'Toole had a young family, while Onrait was newly married—and adjustments to life in Los Angeles. Onrait noted missing friends and family back home, with his wife longing for Canadian winters, and O'Toole described his children's difficulties adapting, such as his six-year-old missing school friends. Professionally, they faced cultural shifts in broadcasting style, transitioning from TSN's small-team, low-key production (often just a camera operator and intern) to Fox's expansive setup with 25-30 staff members for a three-hour show that encouraged more "wackiness." Adapting to an American audience meant dialing back hockey coverage— a staple in Canada—in favor of U.S.-centric sports like NASCAR and football, while navigating a more competitive market with higher salaries but greater pressure to build viewership against ESPN's dominance. Despite these hurdles, their quirky Canadian humor resonated, with Fox executives praising how their authentic, laugh-driven dynamic fit the network's goal of a "fun" alternative. During their four-year tenure, Fox Sports Live provided comprehensive nightly recaps of major American sports events, including games, NBA matchups, and MLB seasons, with the duo offering commentary on high-profile moments such as the 2014 coverage. The show evolved in 2015 to a more streamlined format focused on Onrait and O'Toole's hosting, emphasizing their personality-driven segments over ensemble athlete panels. However, in February 2017, canceled Fox Sports Live and opted not to renew the hosts' contracts upon their expiration in March, marking the end of the duo's daily on-air partnership after 3.5 seasons.

Solo hosting at TSN

Following his departure from Fox Sports 1, Onrait returned to TSN in 2017 alongside longtime co-host to anchor the late-night program SC with Jay and Dan, which premiered on September 4 of that year and aired weeknights at midnight ET. The duo's chemistry, honed over years of collaboration, quickly reestablished their popularity among Canadian viewers, blending sports highlights with comedic segments that became a hallmark of the show. In February 2021, amid widespread layoffs at , O'Toole was let go, marking the end of the partnership after their final joint broadcast on February 3. Onrait transitioned to solo hosting with the rebranded SC with Jay Onrait, which debuted on February 8, 2021, and maintained the program's signature humorous tone through satirical takes on sports news and pop culture. His experience at , where he adapted to a high-energy U.S. format, aided this shift to flying solo. Based in , Onrait commutes daily to TSN's studios in Scarborough for the 1 a.m. ET broadcast, where the show focuses on Canadian sports leagues including the NHL and CFL, delivering highlights, analysis, and interviews tailored to domestic audiences. As of June 2025, Onrait continues to host the program nightly, reflecting on his career's endurance by emphasizing repetition as the key to sustained success in . Recent episodes, such as those from November 2025, underscore its ongoing relevance with timely coverage of major events.

Other media projects

Podcast

Jay Onrait and launched The Jay and Dan Podcast in September 2012 during their initial tenure at TSN, initially sponsored by . The podcast continued with episodes produced through their 2013–2017 stint at 1. Following their return to TSN in 2017, the podcast received as its title sponsor, which became integrated into the show's branding. The podcast drew on the duo's established chemistry from co-hosting , evolving into a weekly audio series that combined sports commentary with comedic segments and personal stories. The format featured irreverent discussions on current events in , pop culture tangents, guest interviews, and humorous anecdotes from their broadcasting experiences, often delivered in a casual, banter-heavy style that appealed to fans of their television work. Sponsorship transitioned to in 2020, with the fast-food chain taking over as the presenting sponsor and incorporating promotional elements into episodes. The podcast gained significant popularity during their TSN tenure, amassing a dedicated audience through platforms like and , where it maintained high ratings for its blend of entertainment and sports insight. The series went on an extended hiatus in March 2021, after O'Toole's layoff from TSN amid company-wide cuts at Bell Media, which ended their on-air partnership. The final episodes, released as a four-part finale under "Jay and Dan 3.0," reflected on their career highlights and included tributes from colleagues. As of 2025, the podcast has not resumed production, though O'Toole has expressed interest in a potential independent revival with Onrait in the future.

Books

Jay Onrait has authored two books, both published by Canada, which extend his humorous broadcasting persona into memoir-style writing focused on the absurdities of sports media life. His debut book, Anchorboy: True Tales from the World of Sportscasting, was released on November 5, 2013. The memoir chronicles Onrait's journey from a small-town upbringing to the high-stakes world of anchoring, blending self-deprecating humor with stories from his time at TSN, including awkward interviews, on-air blunders, and personal escapades like running a marathon to secure Olympic broadcasting credentials. Onrait's follow-up, Number Two: More Short Tales from a Very Tall Man, appeared on October 27, 2015, continuing the lighthearted tone with additional anecdotes drawn from career milestones and mishaps. This collection delves deeper into his experiences at , such as chaotic trips to for NHL coverage and unexpected encounters with figures like and former mayor , while maintaining a focus on the comedic underbelly of . Both volumes became Canadian national bestsellers, praised for their witty insights into the often-overlooked quirks of sports broadcasting and Onrait's ability to humanize high-profile events through personal storytelling. As of 2025, Onrait has not published any additional books.

Acting roles

Film appearances

Jay Onrait made his sole feature film appearance in Corner Gas: The Movie (2014), a Canadian comedy directed by David Storey and based on the popular television series Corner Gas. In the film, Onrait portrayed "Denizen Jay," a brief cameo role as a sports broadcaster interacting with the story's quirky residents of the fictional town of Dog River, Saskatchewan. This appearance capitalized on Onrait's established persona as a charismatic TSN sports anchor, adding a layer of authentic Canadian media satire to the film's small-town narrative about community efforts to save their local gas station from closure. The cameo was part of a ensemble of guest stars from Canadian sports and entertainment, including Onrait's longtime co-host and fellow TSN personality , enhancing the movie's ties to national broadcasting culture. Filmed during the summer of 2013 in Regina and surrounding areas, Onrait's role was a natural extension of his on-air humor, filmed alongside promotional efforts like the film's campaign that raised over $200,000 from fans. As of November 2025, Onrait has no additional major film credits, with his acting pursuits remaining focused on television cameos rather than extended cinematic roles.

Television appearances

Jay Onrait made guest appearances on the Canadian comedy series in 2017 and 2019, portraying an exaggerated version of himself as a TSN anchor alongside his former co-host . In the Season 4 episode "Great Day for ," Onrait and O'Toole deliver a humorous broadcast segment hyping a local hockey event, satirizing sports media hype in small-town Canadian culture. He reprised the role in the Season 8 premiere "Miss Fire," where the duo comments on a hockey tournament, further poking fun at regional rivalries and broadcasting tropes. These cameos spanned two episodes across the series' run, enhancing the show's hockey-themed humor with insider references to Canadian sports commentary. Onrait provided voice cameos in the animated series (2018–2021), appearing in Season 3, Episode 7 "Give Pizza Chants" (2020) alongside as guest stars playing sports commentators in a rugby-themed storyline. Onrait has had a recurring role on the Letterkenny spin-off since 2022, again playing himself as a sports broadcaster providing play-by-play and analysis for the show's fictional hockey league. His appearances include the Season 1 episodes "Never Lose Again" and "Don't Poke the Bear," where he participates in panel discussions and cold opens that mock on-air sports debates, as well as Season 2's "Get 'em Focused" and additional episodes through 2025, totaling at least six credits. This ongoing role leverages Onrait's real-life expertise in sports anchoring to add authenticity to the series' satirical depiction of hockey culture and media coverage. Onrait appeared as himself on in Season 10, Episode 5 "I Smell Like Carcass" (2024), delivering play-by-play commentary during a challenge.

Awards and recognition

Gemini Awards

In 2010, Jay Onrait was nominated for a in the Best Sportscaster category for his work co-hosting TSN's alongside . The nomination, announced on August 31, 2010, placed him among prominent figures in Canadian sports broadcasting, including for his Olympic coverage. This recognition marked an early highlight in Onrait's career, acknowledging the growing popularity of the duo's energetic on-air partnership. Onrait's breakthrough came in 2011 when he won the Gemini Award for Best Sportscaster at the 26th Annual ceremony, held on September 7, 2011, at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in and broadcast live on CBC. The award specifically honored his contributions to , where he and O'Toole had cultivated a distinctive style blending sharp sports analysis with irreverent humor and pop culture references. This win validated the duo's innovative approach, which had transformed into a cultural phenomenon by injecting comedy into traditional sports reporting and appealing to a younger audience. It underscored their impact on elevating sports in through relatable, lighthearted segments that balanced with credible .

Other honors

Onrait's literary endeavors have earned him recognition beyond , with his Anchorboy: True Tales from the World of Sportscasting, published in 2013, achieving national status in . This was followed by his 2015 follow-up, Number Two: More Short Tales from a Very Tall Man, which also became a , highlighting his ability to blend humor with insights from his sports media career. These represent significant honors in the literary sphere, underscoring his impact as a within the sports genre. In recognition of his community ties, Onrait made a notable contribution in 2018 by donating $251 to the Athabasca Legion Branch 48 during a Rotary Club fundraiser dinner in his hometown of Athabasca, Alberta. The amount represented a refund of a $250 physical education award he had received upon graduating high school in 1992— which he later felt undeserved—plus $1 in symbolic interest, presented to Legion member Brian Scott as an act of community service. In 2024, Onrait received a nomination for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Sports Host for SC with Jay Onrait. Building on his foundational 2011 Gemini Award for Best Sportscaster, Onrait has received no major additional formal awards since that time. However, his enduring career at TSN, spanning over two decades as a prominent anchor, has garnered informal industry acknowledgments for longevity and influence in Canadian sports media.

Personal life

Family and marriages

Jay Onrait was first married to Darcy Modin, with the marriage ending in divorce in 2002. He married his second wife, Chobi Liang, a former TSN , in October 2013. Onrait and Liang have two children together, and the family maintains a high level of regarding details about their personal lives. As of 2025, they reside in , where Onrait balances his professional commitments with family responsibilities. Onrait's career relocations included a move to in 2013 for his role at , followed by a return to in 2017 after the conclusion of that tenure.

Interests and philanthropy

Onrait maintains a keen interest in music, co-compiling year-end lists of the best albums with TSN colleague , a tradition that began in and has continued regularly, including notable editions for and 2016. Among his personal quirks, Onrait has expressed a particular fondness for Okanagan cherries, which evoke fond memories of his childhood summers in and participation in Okanagan hockey tournaments. He also appreciates the vibrant lifestyle, frequently highlighting local favorites such as and diverse restaurant options in interviews about his daily routines. Onrait engages in philanthropy through targeted charitable efforts rather than formal foundations, with a focus on community and sports-related causes. In 2018, during a Rotary Club of Athabasca fundraiser dinner for the Athabasca Regional Multiplex that raised over $81,000, he donated $251 to the local Legion Branch—comprising a $250 high school phys ed award he received in 1992, which he deemed undeserved, plus added "interest"—presenting the cheque to Legion member Brian Scott. He has supported cancer research via the Million Dollar Hockey Pool, a charitable sports initiative he helped promote in 2014 to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. Additionally, Onrait served as emcee for the 2018 All-Star Gala in support of SickKids, where proceeds funded research on congenital heart disease, and participated in the 2013 Every Kid Every Community tournament that raised over $65,000 for youth hockey access through the Hockey Alberta Foundation. These activities reflect Onrait's ongoing ties to his Alberta roots, where he was raised in Athabasca and Boyle, often returning for community events that strengthen local bonds without establishing dedicated organizations. His family has provided subtle encouragement in pursuing such personal and giving endeavors.

References

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