Brad Nessler is an American sportscaster and play-by-play announcer best known for his work in college football and college basketball. Over a broadcasting career spanning several decades, he has worked for CBS Sports, ESPN, ABC Sports, and NFL Network.
Nessler’s national profile grew during his long ESPN and ABC career, where he called major college football and basketball games. He later returned to CBS Sports, where he became a lead voice for the network’s college football coverage.
He is also familiar to sports fans through EA Sports video games, including the NCAA Football and NCAA March Madness series.
Profile Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bradley Ray Nessler |
| Public Name | Brad Nessler |
| Date of Birth | June 3, 1956 |
| Birthplace | St. Charles, Minnesota, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Sportscaster, play-by-play announcer |
| Known For | College football and college basketball broadcasting |
| Current Network | CBS Sports |
| Current Role | College football and college basketball play-by-play announcer |
| Education | Minnesota State University, Mankato |
| Early Career Role | Georgia Tech basketball radio play-by-play |
| Former Networks | ESPN, ABC Sports, NFL Network |
| Video Game Work | EA Sports NCAA Football and NCAA March Madness series |
| Hall of Fame Honors | Minnesota State University Sports Hall of Fame; Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame |
| Wife | Nancy |
| Children | One daughter, according to public biographical sources |
Early Life and Background
Brad Nessler was born on June 3, 1956, in St. Charles, Minnesota. He later attended Minnesota State University, Mankato, where he began developing his broadcasting skills through campus sports coverage.
Nessler graduated from Minnesota State University in 1977. His college broadcasting experience became the foundation for a career that would move from local radio to national television.
Public information about his parents and early family life is limited. For that reason, his biography is best focused on his education, early broadcasting work, and long professional career.
Career and Professional Journey
Georgia Tech Start
Nessler’s early professional career included work in Atlanta radio. He joined WGST-AM in Atlanta and became involved in sports anchoring, talk programming, and play-by-play work.
One of his most important early assignments was calling Georgia Tech basketball. He shared play-by-play duties with longtime Georgia Tech broadcaster Al Ciraldo from the early 1980s through the 1984–85 season.
This role gave Nessler meaningful experience in college basketball broadcasting and helped launch his move toward larger regional and national assignments.
Also Read: Who Is Byron York? Political Journalist, Washington Examiner, Education, and Career
NFL Radio and Regional Sports Work
In addition to Georgia Tech basketball, Nessler called Atlanta Falcons radio broadcasts from 1982 to 1988. He later handled Minnesota Vikings radio play-by-play during the 1988 and 1989 seasons.
He also worked on Miami Dolphins preseason telecasts and ACC football and basketball broadcasts. These assignments helped him build range across college and professional sports.
First CBS Sports Tenure
Nessler first worked for CBS Sports from 1990 to 1992. During that period, he called NFL games, college football, and men’s and women’s college basketball.
He also contributed to CBS’s coverage of the 1992 Olympic Winter Games, serving as host for speed skating coverage. This early CBS period helped establish him on national television before he moved to ESPN.
ESPN and ABC Sports Career
Nessler joined ESPN in 1992 and became one of the network’s prominent college sports voices. He called college basketball, Big Ten football, and later major college football games.
His role expanded when he began working on ABC Sports assignments in 1997. Over time, he called college football, college basketball, Bowl Championship Series games, and other major events.
From 2002 to 2004, Nessler also worked on NBA coverage for ESPN and ABC. Later, he contributed to ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage and called NFL Network’s Thursday Night Football package.
Return to CBS Sports
After more than two decades with ESPN and ABC, Nessler returned to CBS Sports. In 2016, CBS named him lead play-by-play announcer for its college football coverage.
His return placed him in one of the most visible roles in college football broadcasting. CBS Sports currently identifies him as a college football and college basketball play-by-play announcer.
Nessler has also been part of CBS’s Big Ten football coverage, continuing his long association with major college sports broadcasts.
Also Read: Ronald Ollie Biography: Football Career, Last Chance U Fame, Stats, and Background
EA Sports Video Game Work
Beyond live television, Brad Nessler became a familiar voice to video game audiences. He served as a play-by-play voice in EA Sports’ NCAA Football video game series.
He was also featured in the NCAA March Madness college basketball video game series. This work introduced his voice to fans who experienced college sports through gaming as well as live broadcasts.
His video game roles remain an important part of his pop-culture recognition, especially among college football and basketball fans who grew up playing EA Sports titles.
Major Achievements and Recognition
Brad Nessler’s achievements are rooted in longevity, versatility, and national visibility. He has called college football, college basketball, NFL games, NBA games, Olympic coverage, and sports video games.
His early Georgia Tech basketball work helped launch a broadcasting path that led to CBS, ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network. His long ESPN and ABC tenure made him one of the most recognizable college sports announcers of his generation.
In 2016, CBS Sports named him lead play-by-play announcer for college football, marking a major career milestone. He has also been recognized by Minnesota State University’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Minnesota Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
His EA Sports work added another layer to his legacy by making his voice familiar to sports fans beyond traditional television audiences.
FAQ Section
Who is Brad Nessler?
Brad Nessler is an American sportscaster and play-by-play announcer known for college football and college basketball broadcasts on CBS Sports, ESPN, and ABC.
Where did Brad Nessler start his broadcasting career?
One of Brad Nessler’s key early roles was calling Georgia Tech basketball games on Atlanta radio. He also worked on Atlanta Falcons radio broadcasts early in his career.
Does Brad Nessler work for CBS Sports?
Yes. CBS Sports identifies Brad Nessler as a college football and college basketball play-by-play announcer.
Was Brad Nessler in EA Sports video games?
Yes. Brad Nessler was featured as a play-by-play voice in EA Sports’ NCAA Football and NCAA March Madness video game series.
Is Brad Nessler married?
Yes. Public CBS and biographical profiles identify Brad Nessler’s wife as Nancy.
Conclusion
Brad Nessler is a veteran American sportscaster whose career has moved from Georgia Tech basketball radio broadcasts to national college football and basketball coverage. His work has included CBS Sports, ESPN, ABC Sports, NFL Network, and EA Sports video games.
His early Georgia Tech and Atlanta Falcons assignments helped establish his play-by-play foundation. His ESPN and ABC years made him a major national college sports voice, while his return to CBS placed him back at the center of major college football coverage.
Nessler’s career is defined by consistency, versatility, and a recognizable voice across live sports and sports gaming. His broadcasting legacy remains closely tied to college football, college basketball, and decades of national sports coverage.
Also Read: Elías Medina Bio: Songs, YouTube, Norteño Style, and Musical Journey
2 Comments
Pingback: Grace Robert Biography: Instagram Star, Fitness Content, Age, and Facts
Pingback: Who Is Jonathon Sawyer? Cleveland Chef, James Beard Winner, and Facts