Malia Baker Joins YPO for a Live Conversation on Ambition, Resilience and Purpose
14 hours ago
United States Linda Cohn has a distinguished career as a sportscaster, becoming ESPN’s longest-tenured SportsCenter anchor and a Hall of Fame inductee.
Linda Cohn rejoined ESPN in 1992 and has been a 'SportsCenter' anchor since her inception. Cohn is ESPN's longest-tenured SportsCenter anchor and has anchored over 5,000 SportsCenter's, the most of any anchor in ESPN history.
Linda Cohn made sportscasting history by becoming the first full-time U.S. female sports anchor on a national radio network when she was hired by ABC in 1987. She anchored WABC TalkRadio from 1987 to 1989.
Linda Cohn was the first woman sports anchor for WCBS Radio from 1984-87, gaining early experience in radio broadcasting in the New York area.
Cohn served as a Sports Anchor/reporter for KIRO-TV in Seattle from 1989-1992, where her work reportedly led to her discovery by ESPN.
In 2008, Cohn released her memoir, 'Cohn-Head: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Breaking Into the Boys' Club,' published by The Lyons Press. The book details her passion for sports and her experiences working on SportsCenter.
Linda Cohn was born on November 10, 1959, on Long Island, New York. She developed an interest in sports from an early age, particularly ice hockey, where she played as a goaltender for her high school’s boys’ team and later for the women’s ice hockey team at SUNY Oswego. In 1981, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from SUNY Oswego. Cohn began her professional career in sportscasting in 1981 at WALK-AM/FM in Patchogue, N.Y., working as a news anchor, writer, and sports reporter. She continued to gain experience at several other New York radio stations, including WCBS NewsRadio 88 and WCBS-FM from 1984-1987, and WGBB-AM from 1984-1985. Her radio career advanced significantly in 1987 when she became the first full-time female sports anchor on a national radio network with ABC, where she worked until 1989. Concurrently, she gained television experience at WLIG-TV on Long Island as a part-time anchor and reporter, and as anchor, news director, and chief correspondent for Long Island News Tonight from 1985-1986. Before joining ESPN, she worked as a weekend sports anchor and full-time reporter at KIRO-TV in Seattle from October 1989.
Cohn joined ESPN in 1992 as a SportsCenter anchor, marking a significant step in her career. She achieved the distinction of being ESPN’s longest-tenured SportsCenter anchor, a role she has maintained for over three decades. In early 2016, she anchored her 5,000th SportsCenter broadcast, setting a record for the most broadcasts by any anchor in ESPN’s history. Her contributions to sports broadcasting were recognized with her induction into the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame in 2017. She currently hosts the 1 a.m. ET edition of SportsCenter, originating from Los Angeles. Beyond anchoring, Cohn has diversified her roles at ESPN, including providing play-by-play commentary for WNBA telecasts since 2005 and increasing her involvement in hockey coverage. Her expertise and dedication have solidified her reputation within the sports broadcasting industry.
In 2008, Cohn authored her autobiography, “Cohn-Head: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Breaking into the Boys’ Club,” detailing her career journey and experiences in the male-dominated field of sportscasting. She has received four Emmy Awards for her work on SportsCenter. In 2022, she celebrated 30 years with ESPN and signed a new multiyear contract, affirming her continued presence as a key figure at the network. Cohn is also a member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2024 for her achievements in media. Her career trajectory demonstrates consistent progression and an enduring commitment to sports journalism, making her a respected voice in the industry.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
