OAKLAND, Calif. – In a historic move for Major League Baseball, Jenny Cavnar has been named the primary play-by-play announcer for the Oakland Athletics by NBC Sports California. With 20 years of experience in the media industry and 17 years covering baseball, Cavnar is the first woman to hold this position in MLB history. She will be calling the majority of the A’s games, marking a significant milestone for women in sports broadcasting.
For the past 12 years, Cavnar has been a backup play-by-play announcer, pregame and postgame host, and reporter for the Colorado Rockies’ regional TV coverage. During her time with the Rockies, she made history by becoming the first woman in 25 years to call TV play-by-play for an MLB game in 2018, and in 2015, she was the first woman to provide analysis for a National League series on radio. Prior to her tenure with the Rockies, she covered the San Diego Padres for nearly five years as a reporter and anchor.
Matt Murphy, President and General Manager of NBC Sports California and NBC Sports Bay Area, expressed his excitement about Cavnar’s appointment, describing her as a talented announcer with significant experience covering baseball. Cavnar has also made significant contributions to MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, calling men’s and women’s college basketball games on FS1 and Pac 12 Networks. Her achievements include being a five-time Emmy Award recipient and the first woman to be named Colorado Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) in 2021.
With a passion for baseball that stems from her upbringing as the daughter of a baseball coach, Cavnar expressed her excitement about the opportunity to join the broadcast team for the Oakland A’s and to share her experiences with their loyal fans. A graduate of Colorado State University, where she was a member of the lacrosse team, Cavnar began her media career as an intern for Denver’s KUSA / NBC 9 and as a sports reporter for a radio station in Fort Collins, Colo. Her diverse experience also includes hosting coverage for the NHL’s Anaheim Ducks and serving as a sideline reporter and contributor for San Diego State University athletics.
Cavnar’s appointment marks a significant step forward for women in sports broadcasting, highlighting the progress and opportunities for female voices in the industry. As she takes on this historic role, Cavnar looks forward to contributing to the rich baseball history of the Oakland A’s and sharing her passion for the game with the fans.