Alex Flanagan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alex Flanagan
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Alex Flanagan reporting for NBC
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| Born |
Alex Wystrach
September 23, 1973 |
| Education | University of Arizona |
| Occupation | Sports journalist |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Spouse(s) | Kevin Flanagan |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Mark Wystrach (brother) |
Alex Flanagan (born Alex Wystrach on September 23, 1973) is a well-known American sports journalist. She is currently the Vice President of Broadcasting for the Montag Group. Alex went to the University of Arizona and started her career as a news reporter. She began covering sports in 1998 and has worked for major TV channels like NBC Sports, NFL Network, ESPN, and Fox Sports.
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Starting Her Sports Career at Fox Sports
Alex Flanagan began her journey in sports reporting in 1998. A friend helped her get an interview with someone at Fox Sports. This led to her being hired as a reporter for the National Sports Report. She also worked on a show called Goin' Deep, which was a weekly sports investigation program.
Later, Alex joined a show called The Keith Olbermann Evening News. She was the only full-time reporter for this show, which helped her gain more experience in sports journalism.
Reporting from the Sidelines at ESPN
In 2000, Alex Flanagan moved to ESPN, another big sports network. For five years, she was a sideline reporter for college football games. She worked with famous commentators like Mike Tirico and Sean McDonough.
Alex also covered many other exciting sports events for ESPN, including:
- The College World Series (baseball)
- NCAA men's and women's college basketball tournaments
- The Women's Tennis Association championships
She often reported on teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Chargers. She also created a fun segment for SportsCenter called “Hollywood Highlights,” which looked at sports news with an entertainment twist.
Hosting and Reporting for NFL Network
Alex Flanagan joined the NFL Network in 2006. She made history as the network's first full-time female studio host. She covered many Super Bowls and hosted popular shows like NFL Total Access.
In 2008, she became a co-host for NFL GameDay Morning, a Sunday morning football show. She also became the first sideline reporter for Thursday Night Football (TNF) in 2010. She worked with announcers like Bob Papa and Brad Nessler.
Alex also worked for the Los Angeles Chargers as their preseason reporter. She even helped host the NFL draft in 2016 and 2017. A memorable moment happened in 2018 when she interviewed Shaquem Griffin, a one-handed linebacker, during a game. Their interview went viral when his teammates interrupted him because he was supposed to be on the field!
Covering Notre Dame Football and the Super Bowl for NBC
In 2007, Alex Flanagan became the sideline reporter for Notre Dame Football on NBC. She covered their games for several seasons.
A big highlight of her career was being part of the broadcast team for Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. She worked alongside legendary announcers like Al Michaels and John Madden. This was a very special game because it was John Madden’s last one as a commentator. The Pittsburgh Steelers won that Super Bowl against the Arizona Cardinals.
Reporting on the Olympics and Swimming for NBC Sports
Alex Flanagan has covered five Olympic Games for NBC. Her first Olympic assignment was at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, where she anchored coverage.
She also reported on swimming events, including the U.S. Swimming National Championships where Michael Phelps broke a world record. She has covered the Olympics in:
Other Cool Things Alex Flanagan Has Done
Appearing on the Today Show
Alex worked as a reporter for NBC's Today Show. She had a segment called “Today's Extra Yard” where she highlighted the good things NFL players did for charity.
Writing for USA Today and INC.com
Alex has also written articles for different publications. She wrote for USA Today High School Sports and INC.com. For example, she wrote an article about the top five leadership qualities of famous quarterback Peyton Manning.
Being in a Bridgestone Commercial
In 2012, Alex Flanagan appeared in a TV commercial for Bridgestone tires. She was in the ad with other famous sports commentators like Mike Milbury and Dick Vitale.
Announcing the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award
In 2011, Alex Flanagan announced the winners of the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award. This award goes to the best offensive line in the NFL each year. The New England Patriots won that year.
Being in Madden NFL Video Games
Kids might know Alex Flanagan from the popular Madden NFL video games! She appeared in Madden NFL 10 and Madden NFL 11. In the game's "franchise mode," she hosted a weekly recap show called "The Extra Point." She would give updates on scores and highlights, making the game feel more like a real TV broadcast.
Working for the Alliance of American Football
In 2019, Alex Flanagan was one of the first on-air reporters hired for a new football league called the Alliance of American Football (AAF). She hosted the pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows. Unfortunately, the league stopped operating after a short time.
Hosting The Bowerman Presentation
In 2019, Alex Flanagan hosted The Bowerman Presentation. This is a very important event in track and field, where awards are given to the best male and female college athletes each year.
Personal Life
Alex Flanagan grew up in Sonoita, Arizona. She is married to Kevin Flanagan, who used to play basketball for the University of Arizona. They have three children: two daughters named Addie and Grace, and a son named Declan. Her family owns a steak restaurant in Sonoita called "The Steak Out." Alex also has two famous brothers: Mark Wystrach, who is the lead singer of the country band Midland, and Mike Wystrach, who started the food delivery company Freshly.
Images for kids
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Alex Flanagan reporting for NBC
