Growing up in New York, Jon Rothstein was extremely passionate about college basketball. The reality was that New York wasn’t the biggest college hoops town, but Jon is someone with a tremendous work ethic and found that college basketball was his vehicle to search for more information.
He just couldn’t get enough of it.
“It was always something that I found to be very magnetic,” said Rothstein, a college basketball insider, sideline reporter and studio analyst for CBS Sports since 2010.
For Rothstein, the road to becoming one of the marquee analysts and insiders in college basketball began on September 15th, 2004 when he won a “Dream Job” contest on 1050 ESPN Radio in New York (now 98.7 ESPN Radio). Couple that with a writing background covering high school basketball and recruiting, Rothstein was off and running with what has now been a career spanning two decades.
It seems like it was just yesterday when he was getting started, but Rothstein doesn’t spend too much time looking back because he’s mind is always on the present and the future.
“It’s definitely been a blur,” said Rothstein. “I probably don’t do enough of that because I’m so focused on the next day, the next task and the next assignment. I try to wake up every day with a mindset that my contract isn’t going to be renewed and I have to prove myself for those 24 hours.”
Rothstein was building up his resume and his Rolodex during his time with ESPN Radio. He was busy with a number of different gigs and then came an opportunity to join MSG Network in New York as a college basketball analyst in 2007.
He had a busy schedule in New York with a number of tasks on his plate and then he had a decision to make in 2010.
Rothstein was offered a sports talk opportunity with the ESPN Radio station in Los Angeles but then there was also an offer to join CBS Sports.
At the end of the day, his love for college basketball brought him to CBS.
“The opportunities that I was always getting in terms of advanced assignments was always related to college basketball and that’s what I was most passionate about,” said Rothstein. “I was hopeful that by joining CBS, the home of the NCAA Tournament, that things would evolve over time into a bigger and more pronounced role”.
Rothstein has been a big part of the CBS college basketball coverage on television over the years and also still finds time to stay busy with other gigs like writing for CollegeHoopsToday.com and hosting a podcast for Compass Media. Last year, Rothstein signed a content partnership with FanDuel and he also serves as a college basketball correspondent for WFAN Radio in New York and CBS Sports Radio.
It’s been a very productive 18 years in the business for Rothstein, but the landscape of how college basketball has certainly changed with the advent of podcasts and social media. There’s also a ton of games on television all season including network, regional cable and streaming so there’s always something to cover and that doesn’t just mean in-season.
“The big difference now versus years ago when I started covering college basketball is that it’s become a sport that is always relevant inside the college basketball world 365 days a year,” said Rothstein.
“The transfer portal has changed things with the immediate eligibility and we’re still seeing more and more the opportunity to have unpredictable storylines. I think you’re always kind of looking for that next storyline that a lot of people aren’t looking for”.
Throughout his journey, Rothstein has been very cognizant and appreciative of some help he’s had from a number of people in the business.
There are two in-particular that have been there for Rothstein with knowledge and guidance when he’s really needed it.
“Frank Isola, who is obviously a long time Knicks beat writer and now is doing a host of things…has been very helpful to me just in terms of understanding the nuances of the business from a news perspective.”
“At CBS, getting the opportunity to work with Ian Eagle has just been an incredible treat and he’s been somebody who has been there for guidance and counsel when I’ve had questions about the business or how to handle certain situations.”
If you follow Rothstein on social media, you know that he never stops working. He’s always busy reporting breaking news and sharing his insight on everything happening with college basketball. It may only be July, but it’s never really too early to start thinking about the 2022-23 college basketball season.
Rothstein already has his crystal ball out in terms of a potential Final Four.
“North Carolina brings back everybody of significance aside from Brady Manek who was a huge key to their run to the national title game,” said Rothstein. “They’re my preseason number one. Gonzaga is right behind them at two. I think Creighton and Houston have a chance to have some of the best seasons that they’re programs have had.”
Jon Rothstein has been living out his dream since 2004. You’ll be hard-pressed to find too many people, especially in the New York area, that are as passionate about college basketball as he is. He’s used that passion to carve out a niche in the business and he’s at home where he set out to be and that’s in a studio role where he excels for CBS.
“That to me is what I felt I always wanted to do at the highest level is to be on the desk in the studio,” said Rothstein. “I love waking up on a studio day and compiling information to add to our coverage. It’s the gas in the engine.”
And Rothstein still has plenty of gas left in his tank.
Peter Schwartz writes weekly sports radio features for Barrett Media. He has been involved in New York sports media for over three decades, and has worked for notable brands such as WFAN, CBS Sports Radio, WCBS 880, ESPN New York, and FOX News Radio. Peter has also served as play by play announcer for the New Yok Riptide, New York Dragons, New York Hitmen, Varsity Media and the Long Island Sports Network. You can find him on Twitter @SchwartzSports or email him at DragonsRadio@aol.com.
