Jenny Cavnar is a trailblazing American sports broadcaster renowned for her significant contributions to Major League Baseball (MLB) and college sports. Her career began after graduating from Colorado State University, where she majored in business and communications. Cavnar’s first professional role was at WJRT-TV in Flint, Michigan, where she covered high school and college sports, showcasing her versatility and passion for sports journalism. Her dedication to the field led her to serve as an assistant coach for the University of California, Los Angeles’s club lacrosse team, further solidifying her commitment to sports.
In 2007, Cavnar joined Channel 4 San Diego, where she made her mark as a host for the pregame and postgame shows for the San Diego Padres. Her exceptional skills and knowledge of the game earned her a prominent role with the Colorado Rockies in 2012, where she succeeded Alanna Rizzo as the host of their pregame and postgame shows on AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain. Cavnar’s groundbreaking achievement came in 2015 when she became the first woman to provide color commentary for a National League baseball game on the radio, paving the way for future female broadcasters in the sport.
Cavnar’s influence continued to grow as she filled in as the play-by-play announcer for the Rockies in 2018, becoming the first woman to do so since 1993. Her remarkable talent was recognized in 2021 when she received the Colorado Sportscaster of the Year Award from the National Sports Media Association, along with five Emmy Awards throughout her career, highlighting her excellence in sports broadcasting.
In 2024, Cavnar made history again by being named the lead play-by-play announcer for the Oakland Athletics, marking her as the first woman to hold this position in MLB history. Her groundbreaking work was further celebrated when she and Julia Morales became the first two women to do play-by-play for the same MLB game in May 2024. Jenny Cavnar’s career is a testament to her dedication, talent, and pioneering spirit, inspiring future generations of sports broadcasters.