Holly Rowe Talks Personal Life and Career

ESPN broadcaster Holly Rowe, well-known for her coverage of the WNBA, women’s college basketball, and college football, recently shared some personal insights during an event at the Little Rock Touchdown Club in Arkansas. She reminisced about a past relationship with a Mr. Swiss champion bodybuilder and explained why it ultimately didn’t last.

“I had a really attractive boyfriend, a Mr. Swiss bodybuilder,” she recalled. “We dated for four years, and we were what you’d call ‘smoking hot.’ But then, at the ESPYs, Pat Summitt received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. I was cheering in the audience, and he turned to me and said, ‘What’s going on? She’s just a coach.’ That was a turning point for us.”

“After that, we broke up,” Rowe continued, adding humorously, “So, just so you know, I gave up on Mr. Swiss because of Pat Summitt. True story!” The audience laughed in response to her anecdote.

Though she didn’t disclose the identity of her former partner, it’s clear Rowe has had an impactful career at ESPN. Since joining the network in 1995, she has become a leading reporter for college sports, especially in football and women’s basketball. She also covers the Utah Jazz, making history as the first woman to serve in this role.