How Kate Scott Achieved Many Firsts in Sports Media and Madden

Dec 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM
Kate Scott's journey in sports media is nothing short of remarkable. From her early days at Clovis High School to becoming a pioneer in various sports broadcasting fields and now a part of Madden NFL history. Her story is one of determination, talent, and breaking through barriers.

Kate Scott - A Trailblazer in Sports Broadcasting and Video Games

Early Beginnings at Clovis High School

Before venturing into the world of sports media, Kate Scott was a multi-sport varsity athlete at Clovis High School. She competed in basketball, soccer, tennis, and track and field. Despite her love for football, her parents didn't give permission. But her passion for sports was evident from a young age. Her mother recently showed her sports drawings she made during childhood, highlighting her early interest. Holiday shopping was also centered around sports as she always wanted sports-related items.

Kate's high school adviser, Ed Schmalzel, played a crucial role. He noticed her talent for leading cheers at football games and serving as a public address announcer for soccer games. This led him to suggest she look into sports journalism at the University of California.

University of California and Early Career

Kate Scott attended the University of California in 2001. There, she majored in communications. After graduating, she began working in radio for Metro Networks as a reporter, anchor, and producer. She gave traffic, news, and sports updates while also hosting Cal football's postgame radio show.

It was Paul Aldridge, a producer on the Cal Sports Report, who introduced the idea of play-by-play to her. Initially thinking sideline reporting and anchoring were her only options, she was hesitant. But Aldridge convinced her to give high school football play-by-play a try. By 2011, she was hired by KNBR, where she worked as a morning and midday anchor and also covered other sports.

Breaking Barriers in Sports Broadcasting

Kate Scott's professional bio is filled with firsts. In 2016, she became the first woman to call an NFL game on the radio. She later joined the Pac-12 Network and became the first woman to call football for the network in 2017. Her broadcasting resume also includes college basketball games for NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports Bay Area.

In March 2020, she took on hockey and was part of the first-ever all-women's broadcast crew for an NHL game in the United States. A year later, she became the first female play-by-play announcer for the Golden State Warriors and the first woman to call men's Copa América and Gold Cup soccer in 2021.

Madden NFL and Beyond

Madden NFL '25 was a historic moment for Kate Scott. She became the first woman featured in the play-by-play role and worked alongside Brock Huard. EA Sports had a meticulous recording process and was looking for new and fresh voices. Kate didn't hesitate to audition and was selected.

Working with Madden enhanced her bio as it is one of the top-selling video game series. Her NBA travel schedule is intense, but EA Sports has been flexible, working around her schedule. A producer, editor, and scriptwriter Zoom in with her for each session.Huard, a former NFL quarterback, worked with Kate during the audition process and was impressed by her. He believed she was equipped for the role and that her chemistry with him was great.Throughout her career, Kate has gained multiple admirers and built many friendships. She worked with Mike Golic and Tom Boman, who recognized her loyalty and talent. Golic is adamant that she will be in the Broadcast Hall of Fame someday.

Kate Scott's story is a testament to her talent and determination. She has broken through numerous barriers and paved the way for other women in sports broadcasting and video games.