Brad Nessler

Brad Nessler is an American sportscaster renowned for his play-by-play commentary across multiple major sports networks. He is best known for his extensive work in college football, having served as a lead voice for CBS Sports on the SEC on CBS package and previously for ESPN on College GameDay and ABC Saturday Night Football. Nessler has also provided prominent coverage for the NBA on TNT and NCAA basketball tournaments, establishing himself as one of the most recognizable and respected voices in sports broadcasting.

Early life and education

Brad Nessler was born in Minneapolis and developed an early passion for sports in Minnesota. He attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota, where he studied speech communications and began his broadcasting journey. While at the university, he worked at the campus radio station, Radio K, gaining foundational experience that would propel him into a professional career. His early influences included listening to legendary announcers like Ray Scott and Dick Enberg, whose styles informed his own approach to play-by-play.

Broadcasting career

Nessler's professional career began in the early 1980s with local television in Atlanta, working for WXIA-TV and calling games for the Atlanta Hawks on Superstation TBS. His national break came when he joined ESPN in 1992, where he quickly became a staple, calling college football, college basketball, and NBA games. He served as the lead play-by-play announcer for ABC Saturday Night Football from 2006 to 2011 alongside analysts like Bob Griese and Paul Maguire. In 2016, he moved to Turner Sports, becoming a primary voice for the NBA on TNT and NCAA Tournament coverage on CBS and TBS. Since 2020, he has been the lead college football voice for CBS Sports, heading their SEC on CBS broadcast team with analyst Gary Danielson.

Notable calls and career highlights

Among his many career highlights, Nessler called the historic 2006 Rose Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and USC Trojans, a game considered one of the greatest in college football history. He has broadcast numerous SEC Championship Game contests, College Football Playoff semifinals, and NBA All-Star Game events. His tenure on NBA on TNT included covering countless NBA playoffs series featuring superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. In 2023, he called the national championship game for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament as part of the CBS Sports and Turner Sports consortium.

Personal life

Nessler has been married to his wife, Jeanne, since 1983, and the couple has two children. He maintains a relatively private life outside of the broadcast booth, with his family residing in Atlanta. An avid golfer, he has participated in various PGA Tour pro-am events. He is also known among colleagues for his meticulous preparation and calm, authoritative demeanor during broadcasts, traits that have endeared him to fans and partners across multiple decades in the industry.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Nessler has received significant industry recognition, including multiple Sports Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Sports Personality and Play-by-Play. In 2011, he was honored with the National Sportscaster of the Year award by the National Sports Media Association. His consistent excellence was further acknowledged when the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame included him as a nominee for his contributions to the field. His voice is synonymous with many of the most memorable moments in recent college football and NBA history.

Category:American sportscasters Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:University of Minnesota alumni Category:ESPN personnel Category:CBS Sports people