Introduction
If you watch college football, women’s basketball, or the WNBA on ESPN, you have probably heard Holly Rowe bring energy and insight from the sidelines. Her warm interviews and sharp sports knowledge have made her one of the most recognizable voices in American sports broadcasting. But how old is Holly Rowe today?
Holly Rowe is 60 years old as of August 2026. She was born on June 16, 1966, in Woods Cross, Utah. She celebrated her 60th birthday on June 16, 2026.
Her age is only one part of her story. Rowe has built a remarkable broadcasting career spanning more than three decades. She has worked with ESPN, ABC, FOX Sports, the Utah Jazz, and other sports organizations. She has also earned major industry recognition, including a Sports Emmy and the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award.
In this article, you will learn how old is Holly Rowe, when she was born, how her career developed, and why her work remains important in modern sports media.
How Old Is Holly Rowe in 2026?
Holly Rowe is 60 years old in 2026.
She was born on June 16, 1966. Because her birthday already passed in June, she is currently 60. Her next birthday will be June 16, 2027, when she will turn 61.
Here are the basic facts at a glance:
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Holly Rowe |
| Date of birth | June 16, 1966 |
| Age in August 2026 | 60 |
| Birthplace | Woods Cross, Utah |
| Profession | Sports reporter and commentator |
| Main network | ESPN |
| Education | University of Utah |
| College degree | Broadcast journalism |
| Current sports role | Reporter and commentator |
| Major team role | Utah Jazz |
So, if you searched how old is Holly Rowe because you saw her covering a recent game, the simple answer is 60.
When Was Holly Rowe Born?
Holly Rowe was born on June 16, 1966, in Woods Cross, Utah. ESPN identifies her as a reporter and play by play commentator with a career covering a wide range of sports.
Her Utah background also became an important part of her professional identity. She attended Brigham Young University before transferring to the University of Utah. At Utah, she worked as a sportswriter and anchored news at the campus television station.
She graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in broadcast journalism.
That education helped prepare her for a career that would eventually take her from local sports coverage to major national broadcasts.
How Did Holly Rowe Start Her Broadcasting Career?
Holly Rowe began building her broadcasting career before becoming a familiar ESPN personality.
She worked with several Utah based media organizations and covered college sports in different roles. She also worked with FOX Sports on women’s college basketball and volleyball broadcasts. source: The University of Utah
Her connection with the ABC and ESPN family began in the 1990s. ESPN records show that she worked on ABC Sports telecasts in 1995 and 1996. She also appeared on selected ESPN broadcasts in 1997 before joining ESPN full time in August 1998.
That means Rowe has spent more than 28 years as a full time ESPN personality as of August 2026.
Her broader sports broadcasting experience stretches even further. ESPN says she has covered sports for more than 30 years.
Holly Rowe Career Timeline
You can understand her longevity by looking at a few important milestones:
- 1966: Holly Rowe was born in Woods Cross, Utah.
- 1991: She graduated from the University of Utah with a broadcast journalism degree.
- 1993: She worked in sports broadcasting for FOX Sports and other organizations.
- 1995: She began appearing on ABC Sports broadcasts.
- 1997: She worked on selected ESPN broadcasts.
- 1998: She joined ESPN full time.
- 2021: She became the Utah Jazz’s first female color commentator.
- 2022: She won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality and Reporter.
- 2023: She received the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award.
- 2026: She returned as part of ESPN’s lead college football coverage team.
What Sports Does Holly Rowe Cover?
One reason Rowe has remained relevant for so long is her versatility.
She is not limited to one sport or one type of broadcast. ESPN lists her work across college football, college basketball, women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, gymnastics, the WNBA, the NBA, soccer, swimming, track and field, and other major events.
Her current ESPN work is especially significant. source: Facebook · Holly Rowe
For the 2026 to 2027 college football season, ESPN announced that Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe would return as the lead team for ABC and ESPN. ESPN also identified Rowe as the lead reporter for women’s college basketball, the WNBA, college softball, and the American Unbranded Softball League.
This provides a useful answer to another common question.
Is Holly Rowe Still Working for ESPN?
Yes. Holly Rowe remains an active ESPN reporter and commentator in 2026.
Her continued presence on major broadcasts shows that her career has not slowed simply because she has reached 60. Instead, she remains involved in some of the biggest sporting events on the ESPN schedule.
When Did Holly Rowe Join the Utah Jazz?
Holly Rowe joined the Utah Jazz broadcast team during the 2021 to 2022 season.
The move was significant because she became the team’s first female color commentator. She made her Jazz broadcasting debut in a game against the Sacramento Kings.
The Utah connection also makes the role particularly meaningful. Rowe is a Utah native and graduated from the University of Utah.
The Jazz currently lists her among its television broadcasters, where she serves as an analyst and reporter.
What Awards Has Holly Rowe Won?
Rowe’s career has received substantial recognition from the sports media industry.
Her most notable honors include:
- 2022 Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Personality and Reporter
- 2022 Mel Greenberg National Media Award
- 2023 Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award
- Multiple Sports Emmy nominations
The Curt Gowdy Award is especially important because it recognizes major contributions to basketball media. The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame recognized Rowe for her work across women’s basketball, college football, volleyball, the NBA, and the WNBA.
These achievements help explain why searches about how old is Holly Rowe often lead to a much bigger story about career longevity.
How Long Has Holly Rowe Worked in Sports Broadcasting?
Holly Rowe has worked in sports broadcasting for more than three decades.
ESPN says she has covered an expansive range of sports for more than 25 years, while its 2026 college football announcement describes her as being in her 31st year on the college football sidelines for ESPN and ABC.
That is an impressive statistic.
At 60, Rowe continues to work at a level that puts her alongside some of the most established sports broadcasters in the United States.
Her career also demonstrates how sports journalism has changed. When she entered the industry, women had fewer opportunities in high profile sports broadcasting. Today, she regularly appears on major national broadcasts.
What Makes Holly Rowe So Popular?
Rowe’s appeal goes beyond simply reporting scores.
She is known for connecting with athletes and coaches during interviews. Her reporting often focuses on the human side of sports, including personal challenges, emotional victories, and stories that viewers might otherwise miss.
ESPN has described her as a versatile commentator, while the network has also highlighted her storytelling and dedication to reporting.
Her long career gives her another advantage. She has interviewed generations of athletes and coaches, which gives her valuable historical perspective.
That combination of experience, preparation, personality, and storytelling helps explain her lasting popularity.
Holly Rowe Age Compared With Her Career
The numbers make her career particularly interesting.
| Career milestone | Approximate year | Holly Rowe’s age |
|---|---|---|
| Born | 1966 | 0 |
| University graduation | 1991 | 25 |
| FOX Sports work | 1993 | 27 |
| ABC Sports work | 1995 | 29 |
| Regular ESPN work | 1998 | 32 |
| Utah Jazz role | 2021 | 55 |
| Sports Emmy | 2022 | 56 |
| Curt Gowdy Award | 2023 | 57 |
| Current ESPN role | 2026 | 60 |
This timeline shows why the question how old is Holly Rowe is more interesting than it may initially appear.
Her age reflects decades of experience, but she continues to work on major national broadcasts.
Is Holly Rowe in the Sports Hall of Fame?
Holly Rowe received the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023. The award recognized her substantial contributions to basketball broadcasting and media.
It is important to distinguish this from being an inducted basketball player or coach.
The Curt Gowdy Award recognizes media professionals who make significant contributions to basketball coverage. Rowe’s recognition reflects her long career as a reporter, commentator, and storyteller.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Holly Rowe?
Holly Rowe is 60 years old as of August 2026. She was born on June 16, 1966.
When is Holly Rowe’s birthday?
Holly Rowe’s birthday is June 16. She was born in 1966.
Where was Holly Rowe born?
Holly Rowe was born in Woods Cross, Utah, in the United States.
What does Holly Rowe do?
Holly Rowe is a sports reporter and commentator. She works with ESPN and also has broadcasting responsibilities with the Utah Jazz.
When did Holly Rowe join ESPN?
She began appearing on ESPN broadcasts in 1997 and joined ESPN full time in August 1998.
How long has Holly Rowe been covering college football?
ESPN’s 2026 announcement says Rowe is in her 31st year on the college football sidelines for ESPN and ABC.
Did Holly Rowe work for the Utah Jazz?
Yes. She joined the Utah Jazz broadcast team for the 2021 to 2022 season and became the team’s first female color commentator.
What award did Holly Rowe win in 2022?
She won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality and Reporter in 2022.
What major basketball media award did Holly Rowe receive?
She received the 2023 Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Is Holly Rowe still working in 2026?
Yes. ESPN announced in August 2026 that she would return as part of the lead college football coverage team with Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit.
Conclusion
So, how old is Holly Rowe? She is 60 years old as of August 2026, having been born on June 16, 1966.
But her age is only one small part of what makes her story interesting. From Utah journalism to FOX Sports, ABC, ESPN, and the Utah Jazz, Rowe has built a career that spans more than 30 years.
She has covered some of the biggest moments in college football, women’s basketball, the WNBA, and other sports. She has also earned major honors, including a Sports Emmy and the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award.
Most importantly, she continues to work at the highest level. At 60, Holly Rowe remains an active and highly respected voice in American sports broadcasting.
Author Bio: Awais khan A sports and entertainment writer who covers notable personalities, career milestones, broadcasting, and current sports media. The author focuses on clear, accurate, reader friendly profiles that make important facts easy to understand.
email: johanharwen@314gmail.com
Author Name: Awais khan
