Jon Rothstein is CBS Sports’ preeminent college basketball insider, renowned for his granular analysis of NCAA strategies and coaching trends. With over a decade of experience spanning radio, television, and digital platforms, he has redefined how fans engage with collegiate hoops.
Rothstein’s accolades include a 2022 Sports Emmy nomination and an exclusive FanDuel partnership, cementing his status as a multimedia innovator. His reporting toolkit—from podcast interviews to tactical film breakdowns—offers unmatched access to the sport’s inner workings.
Jon Rothstein has cemented himself as one of college basketball’s most authoritative voices, blending insider access with a storyteller’s flair. Over his 15-year career, he has become synonymous with NCAA basketball coverage, delivering breaking news, in-depth analysis, and compelling narratives that resonate with fans and professionals alike.
Rothstein’s journey began at ESPN Radio and MSG Network (2007–2010), where he honed his skills as a beat reporter covering New York’s collegiate teams. His transition to CBS Sports in 2010 marked a turning point, as he expanded his role to include sideline reporting, studio analysis, and digital columns. By 2016, he became a fixture on CBS broadcasts, and in 2021, he joined CBS/Turner’s NCAA Tournament coverage as a lead insider.
This daily column during the NCAA Tournament exemplifies Rothstein’s ability to synthesize complex narratives. The March 2025 edition dissected North Carolina’s defensive adjustments under Hubert Davis, highlighting how the Tar Heels leveraged switch-heavy schemes to neutralize Purdue’s Zach Edey. Rothstein’s access to coaching staffs provided granular details, such as practice drills focused on closeout rotations. The piece underscored his role as a bridge between hardcore analytics and casual fandom.
Rothstein’s “Food and Basketball” series blends cultural storytelling with sports journalism. His 2024 interview with Houston coach Kelvin Sampson at a Texas smokehouse explored how team-building philosophies mirror culinary craftsmanship. Sampson revealed how he adapts his coaching “recipe” for transfer portal-era rosters, offering metaphors like “marinating player roles.” The article showcased Rothstein’s knack for extracting strategic insights in unconventional settings.
Rothstein’s 2025 analysis of Kentucky’s tournament potential demonstrated his predictive rigor. By cross-referencing KenPom efficiency metrics with coaching staff interviews, he identified Reed Sheppard’s off-ball movement as a key X-factor. The article’s conclusion—that Kentucky’s ceiling depended on “veteran shot selection”—proved prescient when the Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight.
Rothstein prioritizes systemic insights over transactional news. A successful pitch might explore how coaches are adapting timeout strategies to the 2025 rule changes limiting second-half stoppages. For example, his 2024 profile of UConn’s Dan Hurley detailed how “spike timeouts” disrupt opponent momentum.
Pitches should frame rivalries through strategic evolution rather than hype. Rothstein’s Duke-UNC primer contrasted 2025’s pace-and-space offenses with the 2010s’ post-heavy battles, using Synergy Sports data to quantify stylistic shifts.
Rothstein frequently spotlights overlooked growth areas, like big men developing trail-three shooting. A 2023 piece on Zach Edey’s pick-and-pop mechanics included practice footage annotated by Purdue’s staff.
“Rothstein doesn’t just report news—he architects the conversation.” – Seth Davis, CBS Sports
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Sports, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
