BRETT HABER

Brett's incisive writing style and creative approach to broadcasting have made him one of the most influential sports media figures in the country. Less than three years after graduating from college, Brett became the youngest anchor in the history of ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” During his time with the network, he teamed with Craig Kilborn and others to popularize the late-night “Feel Good Edition” of the national sports highlight show. While at ESPN, Brett also served as the network’s chief tennis correspondent and contributed to its award-winning issues program, “Outside the Lines.

Since his debut on NBC’s teen magazine show “Main Street” in 1986, Brett’s career has spanned over 30 years, earning him 17 Emmy Awards, along with other accolades and recognition. Since 2011, Brett has been one of the primary hosts and play-by-play commentators for Tennis Channel and for NBC Olympics. As such, he broadcasts professional tournaments around the world annually, including all four grand slams, as well as Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Laver Cup and the Olympic Games.

            In 2014, Brett received the high honor of being named the host and Master of Ceremonies for the annual enshrinement ceremonies at the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Brett assumed this position, taking over for legendary tennis broadcaster and historian Bud Collins, who passed away in 2016.

            Over the years, Brett has used his platform and his voice to highlight important cultural and social issues that intersect with the sports world. His undercover investigation into rampant sports autograph and memorabilia fraud earned the National Edward R. Murrow Award in 1998. His trip to Somalia in 1993 followed NFL stars David Fulcher and Stephen Baker as they interacted with US troops and Somali refugees during “Operation Restore Hope”. In 2011, Brett took a public stand with a series of commentaries and editorials challenging controversial Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder. In so doing, Brett underscored the financial bullying and First Amendment transgressions committed by Snyder against the Washington City Paper, among others. Haber was widely lauded for his principled position and his willingness to risk his professional standing in Washington in a battle against the city’s powerful NFL franchise and owner.

            In 2012, Brett became the first media figure to be named an Ambassador for Athlete Ally – an organization founded to promote LGBTQ+ equality in the sports world and to combat homophobia within its ranks. Brett felt strongly that institutional homophobia had been too slow to erode in the sports world and that he needed to use his public platform to more actively engage on these issues, which aligned with his lifelong core personal beliefs. Brett became active with the organization and recruited other sports figures to become Ambassadors, including tennis stars Andy Roddick, James Blake and Mardy Fish. He refers to his affiliation with Athlete Ally as the most meaningful and rewarding of his public life.

            Prior to his time at Tennis Channel and NBC, Brett served as the Sports Director and primary anchor at several of the nation’s most prominent local television stations, including WCBS-TV in New York and both WTTG-TV and WUSA-TV in Washington, DC. He has also served as a commentator for CBS’ coverage of the NFL and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the NBA on TNT, The Running of the Bulls in Pamplona (Fiesta de San Fermin), Golf Channel, the Invesco Series Legends Tennis Tour and World Team Tennis. In 1997, Brett was honored with the ATP’s Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award, emblematic of the year’s top global tennis journalist.

            In print, Brett has been a contributing columnist for USA Today and served as Editor-at-Large for Washingtonian Magazine. He has also contributed stories to Sports Illustrated, ESPN Magazine and Swing Magazine.

            Brett has been a consultant for Nike, Inc. since 2002, leading grassroots community events around the world, as well as various public marketing events with its contracted athletes.

            Brett is active with numerous charities and service organizations. In addition to his work with Athlete Ally, he served for 10 years as a Board Member of the Tim & Tom Gullikson Foundation for Brain Tumor Patients. Brett and his partner Kim are involved in leadership at the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts and the Newseum. He has served as a member of the Dartmouth College Alumni Council. In 2010, Brett was inducted into the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.

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