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 on September 23, 1973, is a well-known American sports journalist. She used to be a sportscaster, which means she reported on sports events. Alex is now a Vice President of Broadcasting for a company called Montag Group. She went to the University of Arizona. Alex started her career in 1998, first as a news reporter, and then she began covering sports. She has worked for many big sports channels like NBC Sports, NFL Network, ESPN, and Fox Sports.
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Alex Flanagan's Career in Sports
Alex Flanagan has had an exciting career covering many different sports. She has worked for some of the biggest sports networks in the United States.
Starting at Fox Sports
Alex began her sports reporting journey at Fox Sports in 1998. She was hired as a reporter for a show called National Sports Report. She also worked on an investigative sports show called Goin' Deep. Later, she became the main reporter for The Keith Olbermann Evening News, a weekly show hosted by Keith Olbermann.
Reporting for ESPN
In 2000, Alex moved to ESPN, another major sports network. For five years, she reported from the sidelines of college football games. She worked with famous sports commentators like Mike Tirico and Sean McDonough.
Alex also covered many other sports for ESPN, including:
- The College World Series (baseball)
- Women's Tennis Association championships
- NCAA men's and women's college basketball tournaments
She often reported on teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Los Angeles Angels. She also covered important events like the NBA playoffs and college football bowl games. Alex even created a fun segment for SportsCenter called "Hollywood Highlights."
Working with the NFL Network
Alex Flanagan joined the NFL Network in 2006. She was the first full-time female studio host for the network. She hosted many shows, including NFL Total Access, and covered twelve Super Bowls.
In 2008, she became a co-host for a new Sunday morning football show called NFL GameDay Morning. From 2010 to 2013, Alex was the first sideline reporter for Thursday Night Football (TNF). She also worked with the Los Angeles Chargers as their preseason reporter. Alex helped host the NFL draft in 2016 and 2017. She also covered important college football games like the East–West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl.
A Memorable Interview
In 2018, Alex had a very famous interview during the Senior Bowl. She was talking to Shaquem Griffin, a talented player with one hand. During their interview, Shaquem's teammates and coaches suddenly interrupted him because he was supposed to be on the field for a punt! This moment went viral and was very funny.
Covering Notre Dame Football and the Olympics for NBC
In 2007, Alex became the sideline reporter for Notre Dame Football on NBC Sports. She continued in this role until 2014.
Alex also covered the Super Bowl XLIII in 2009. She was part of the broadcast team with legendary commentators Al Michaels and John Madden. This was John Madden's last game as a broadcaster.
Olympic Games and Swimming
Alex Flanagan has covered five Olympic Games for NBC.
- Beijing 2008: She hosted coverage on CNBC and USA Network.
- Vancouver 2010: She worked at the sports desk.
- London 2012: She reported on diving.
- Sochi 2014: She covered biathlon and cross-country skiing.
- Rio 2016: She was a reporter.
She also reported on swimming events, including the U.S. Swimming National Championships where Michael Phelps broke a world record.
Other Cool Things Alex Flanagan Has Done
Today Show Reporter
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 Publications
Alex has written articles for websites like USA Today High School Sports and INC.com. For example, she wrote about the top five leadership qualities of famous football player Peyton Manning.
Video Game Appearance
Alex Flanagan can be seen and heard in the popular video games Madden NFL 10 and Madden NFL 11. In these games, she hosted a weekly recap show called "The Extra Point," which gave players scores and highlights.
The Alliance of American Football
In 2019, Alex was chosen to be the first on-air host for the Alliance of American Football (AAF). She hosted the pre-game, halftime, and post-game shows for the league.
Hosting The Bowerman Presentation
In 2019, Alex hosted The Bowerman Presentation. This event gives out the highest award in college track and field to the best male and female athletes each year.
Alex Flanagan's Family 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 two daughters, Addie and Grace, and a son named Declan.
Her family owns a steak restaurant in Sonoita called "The Steak Out." Alex also has a famous brother, Mark Wystrach, who is the lead singer of the country band Midland. Her other brother, Mike Wystrach, started a food delivery company called Freshly.
