Michael Barkann facts for kids

Michael Barkann (born April 30, 1960) is an American sports host and reporter. He works for NBC Sports Philadelphia. From 2011 to 2016, he also co-hosted a radio show called "Mike and Ike" on 94 WIP.

Early Life and Education

Michael Barkann grew up in East Brunswick, New Jersey. He went to East Brunswick High School. There, he was a great long-distance runner. He ran in spring track and cross country. He finished high school in 1978.

After high school, he went to Syracuse University. He graduated in 1982. He earned a degree in Broadcast Journalism. This means he studied how to report news on TV and radio.

Starting His Broadcasting Career

Michael Barkann began his career at NBC News in Washington, D.C.. He started as a desk assistant. This meant he helped out behind the scenes.

His first time on TV was on February 11, 1983. A big snowstorm hit, and his station, New Jersey Network, asked him to report on the weather. Soon after, he hosted a weather show. Later, he started reporting on sports for the network. He was 26 years old.

A few months later, Barkann moved to KYW-TV in Philadelphia. He worked there as a sports reporter for five years. After that, he moved to Boston to be a sports director at WLVI-TV. But he soon got a great chance to return to Philadelphia. In 1997, he started his current job at NBC Sports Philadelphia.

Working at NBC Sports Philadelphia

On October 1, 1997, Michael Barkann helped launch NBC Sports Philadelphia. He was the host of a show called Daily News Live. This show became very popular. Other sports networks even started their own similar programs because of its success.

Barkann has hosted many popular sports shows. He hosts Eagles Post Game Live after Philadelphia Eagles games. On this show, he talks with famous sports experts. He also hosts Postgame Live shows for the Philadelphia Phillies, Flyers, and Sixers. These shows are especially important when the teams are in the playoffs.

Memorable Moments in Philadelphia Sports

Michael Barkann has been part of many special moments. One sad moment was when Harry Kalas died. Kalas was a beloved baseball announcer. Barkann hosted a live show that day. He was very emotional and called Kalas the "soundtrack of our lives." Barkann also hosted Kalas's memorial service. It was held at Citizens Bank Park.

Another exciting moment happened during a Phillies playoff game in 2009. Barkann and other former players were watching the game. When Jimmy Rollins hit a game-winning double, they all cheered loudly. A video of their reaction was even shown at Citizens Bank Park later.

While working at KYW-TV, Barkann did a funny segment. He "tried out" for the Philadelphia Eagles. He lined up as a receiver with quarterback Randall Cunningham. A defensive back tackled him hard. After the tryout, another player joked that Barkann's performance was "just sad."

National Sports Reporting

Michael Barkann has also worked on many national sports broadcasts.

He was a field reporter for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships. He covered this big tennis tournament from 1991 to 2008 for USA Network. He would interview players and share interesting stories from the event.

Barkann has also covered the Billie Jean King Cup for HBO Sports. This event featured tennis stars like Serena Williams and her sister Venus.

He has reported for CBS on major events. He covered the Olympic Winter Games in Nagano, Japan, in 1998. He also reported from the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. There, he covered speed skating. He reported on Dan Jansen, who won a gold medal. In 1992, he also covered the Dan Jansen story at the 1992 Winter Olympic Games in Albertville, France.

Barkann has also covered college sports. He reported on the Final Four in college basketball and the Fiesta Bowl in college football for CBS. He also covered Big 5 Basketball events.

In 2009, he hosted the final episode of a show called Being John Daly for the Golf Channel. He was also a commentator for the XFL football league.

Fun National Broadcasting Moments

Barkann was known for his fun interview style at the U.S. Open. One time, he did a story about a hot dog stand. Players had said they could smell the hot dogs during their matches. Barkann interviewed the hot dog vendor!

Another famous moment was in 1992. He interviewed singer Barbra Streisand. She was rumored to be dating tennis player Andre Agassi. Barkann asked her what she liked about Agassi's playing. Her answer made big news because it was the first time she talked publicly about their relationship.

In 2007, Barkann interviewed comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. He asked them what the funniest thing they had seen at the Open was. Seinfeld jokingly replied, "not you."

At the 2008 Open, Barkann asked tennis star Novak Djokovic to do his famous impersonations. Djokovic did impressions of Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal. This made him an instant hit online.

Personal Life

Michael Barkann lives in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania with his wife, Ellen. Ellen helped start The Philadelphia Sports Group. This company helps athletes and sports media members with their careers. Their daughter, Emily Barkann, is also a journalist. She has won an Emmy award.

Michael Barkann has given speeches at funerals for friends and colleagues. He spoke at the funeral of former baseball player John Marzano. He also spoke at the funeral of sports columnist Phil Jasner.

In 2013, Michael and Ellen Barkann started a charity. It's called the Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation. This foundation helps families in the Delaware Valley. It supports families whose hearts have been broken by a sudden illness or the loss of a loved one. They hold a yearly golf event and a Holiday Hearts program.

Awards and Recognition

Michael Barkann has won many awards for his work:

• He was named Pennsylvania's Sportscaster of the Year seven times: in 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, and 2007.
• He has won several Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards for his reporting and hosting.
• He has won five Philadelphia Sports Emmy Awards.
• In 2010, he was honored by the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of ALS.