Kevin Harlan

Kevin Harlan (born March 21, 1960) is an American sportscaster known for play-by-play commentary across professional and collegiate sports. He is prominent for work with NBA broadcasts on Turner Sports and NFL coverage for CBS Sports and Westwood One. Harlan has called marquee events including the Super Bowl, NCAA Tournament Final Four, and NBA Playoffs.

Early life and education

Harlan was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana and Minnesota. He is the son of Delbert "Bucky" Harlan, a sportswriter for the Milwaukee Sentinel and a play-by-play announcer for Green Bay Packers preseason broadcasts, which influenced Harlan’s early exposure to sports broadcasting. Harlan attended Washburn High School before enrolling at the University of Kansas, where he studied journalism and gained experience at KJHK while observing media figures such as Bob Costas, Al Michaels, Marv Albert, and Vin Scully. During college he covered Kansas Jayhawks games, intersecting with programs linked to coaches like Ted Owens and Larry Brown.

Broadcasting career

Harlan began his professional career in radio, working for stations in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and San Diego, California, calling games for franchises including the San Diego Padres and San Diego Clippers. He later joined NBA on TNT production teams at Turner Broadcasting System and served as a play-by-play announcer for Milwaukee Bucks radio, interacting with broadcasters and executives from organizations such as Madison Square Garden and State Farm Arena. Harlan’s national profile rose with assignments on Westwood One NFL radio, joining a lineage that includes Howard Cosell and Harry Kalas. His portfolio expanded to include calls for the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on CBS Sports, association with the NHL for select broadcasts, and occasional work for MLB telecasts alongside crews from Fox Sports and ESPN. Harlan has been paired with analysts and commentators such as Bill Raftery, Reggie Miller, A. J. Hawk, Dan Fouts, Denny Green, Terry Bradshaw, and Booger McFarland across platforms. He has called games featuring franchises including the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Denver Broncos. Harlan has covered international competitions involving teams and events like FIBA World Cup, Olympic Games, and exhibition series with clubs such as Real Madrid and FC Barcelona.

Signature style and catchphrases

Harlan is recognized for an energetic, rapid-fire delivery and dramatic risers during pivotal plays, a style compared to veteran announcers including John Facenda and Howard Cosell. He punctuates moments with memorable lines and emphatic calls that have resonated across social platforms tied to broadcasters like SiriusXM and networks such as Turner Sports and CBS Sports Network. His enthusiasm in late-game sequences has become part of highlight reels alongside iconic moments involving athletes like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Shaquille O'Neal, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Harlan’s comedic exchanges and one-liners have been sampled in programming connected to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Show with David Letterman, and sports segments on Good Morning America. His vocal presence has also crossed into entertainment projects with collaborations featuring personalities from SNL, Saturday Night Live, and productions by HBO Sports.

Awards and honors

Throughout his career Harlan has received recognition from organizations including the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, and he has been acknowledged in lists by outlets such as The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated, and ESPN. His broadcasts have been part of telecasts nominated for industry honors administered by groups like the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and have contributed to coverage honored at events tied to Peabody Awards and Emmy Awards ceremonies. Harlan’s work is cited in retrospectives alongside awardees such as Al Michaels, Joe Buck, Jim Nantz, Dick Enberg, Verne Lundquist, Bob Costas, Marv Albert, Ian Eagle, Kevin Burkhardt, John Madden, Terry Bradshaw, and Pat Summerall.

Personal life

Harlan maintains residences associated with cities prominent in his career, including Atlanta, Georgia and New York City. He has participated in charitable activities connected to organizations such as United Way, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and local philanthropic efforts in markets like Milwaukee and Minneapolis. Harlan’s family background links to Midwestern and Southern communities, and his professional network intersects with agents, producers, and executives from firms such as IMG, AFLAC, and broadcast groups including Westwood One and Turner Sports.

Category:American sports announcers Category:NBC Sports people Category:CBS Sports people Category:People from Milwaukee Category:1960 births Category:Living people