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Linda Cohn: A Trailblazer’s Journey in Sportscasting

The Making of a Sports Voice

Born on November 10, 1959, Linda Cohn grew up on Long Island, New York, in a family that embraced sports as a core part of life. As a teenager, she found her footing in a male-dominated world, not on the sidelines but on the ice — playing goalie for her high school boys’ hockey team as a senior. That early grit and love for competition foreshadowed a career that would challenge norms.

Cohn carried that athletic spirit to college: graduating in 1981 from the State University of New York at Oswego with a bachelor’s degree in communications, all while guarding the net for the women’s ice hockey team.

She launched her broadcasting career the same year, starting at the Patchogue, New York radio station WALK-AM/FM. Over the next several years she worked at other local stations, building her voice and credibility. 

In 1987 came a breakthrough: Cohn became the first full-time female sports anchor on a national U.S. radio network when she was hired by ABC — a watershed moment for women in sports broadcasting.

After gaining television experience with regional outlets, her big break came in 1992, when she joined ESPN and became an anchor for the network’s flagship program, SportsCenter. Her first broadcast was on July 11, 1992.

From there, Cohn’s rise was steady — and historic.

Anchoring an Era: Redefining Sports Media

At ESPN, Cohn didn’t just become another anchor — she became an institution. Over the decades, she has hosted more episodes of SportsCenter than anyone else in the network’s history.

Her versatility extended beyond anchoring: Cohn has reported, written, commentated, and even done play-by-play duties. From WNBA games to NHL nights, College Basketball tournaments to major league events — she showed that a broadcaster could excel across sports genres. 

In 2008, she turned a milestone into a moment of reflection with her memoir, Cohn-Head: A No-Holds-Barred Account of Breaking Into the Boys’ Club, offering a candid look at her battles and triumphs navigating a male-dominated industry. 

Her impact didn’t go unnoticed. In early 2016 she anchored her 5,000th SportsCenter — a record. 

Cohn’s longevity and influence led to her 2017 induction into the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame — among other honors.

Behind the Mic: Personal Life and Passions

Away from the studio lights, Linda Cohn’s personal life reflects both the challenges and the rewards of a demanding career. She has two children with her former husband Stew Kaufman; the couple divorced in 2008.

Her upbringing — rooted in a Jewish family and steeped in sports fandom — shaped not only her worldview but her sense of identity.

Throughout her career, Cohn has remained unapologetically herself — known for her thick New York accent and straight-talk style. Her authenticity, paired with deep knowledge and genuine fandom, helped her resonate with viewers. 

Financial Standing: What Her Career Built

According to recent public estimates, Linda Cohn’s net worth is approximately US$12 million, with her longtime role at ESPN being the primary income driver. 

Her salary — reportedly around US$3 million annually — underscores the value she’s built through decades of consistent performance and industry-first achievements. 

That level of financial success reflects both her staying power and her impact: as a trailblazer who helped open doors for women in sports media and as one of the most recognizable voices in American sports broadcasting.

Legacy in Motion: A Role Model Beyond the Broadcast

Linda Cohn’s journey — from teenage hockey goalie on Long Island to becoming the longest-tenured anchor on ESPN — is more than a career story. It’s a testament to resilience, talent, and breaking barriers.

She helped redefine what was possible for women in a male-dominated sphere. Her years on SportsCenter, across sports formats, prove that versatility and passion matter, not gender.

As new generations — especially women — enter sports journalism, Cohn’s story remains a blueprint: “show up, know your stuff, and don’t back down.”

Her birthday, November 10, naturally becomes a reminder each year of that journey — from local rink to global spotlight.