Hannah Storm

Hannah Storm
Born	Hannah Lynn Storen 6/13/1962
Birthplace	Oak Park, Illinois, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Television sports journalist, anchor
Known for	ESPN SportsCenter anchor, NBC Sports NBA coverage, CBS The Early Show co-anchor
Education	University of Notre Dame
Children	3
Website	http://www.hannahstorm.com/

Hannah Lynn Storen (born June 13, 1962), known professionally as Hannah Storm, is an American television sports journalist who has served as an anchor of ESPN's SportsCenter and as a host of the NBA Countdown pregame show on ABC. Over a career spanning more than four decades, Storm has established herself as one of the most prominent women in American sports broadcasting, having worked for major networks including NBC Sports, CNN, CBS, and ESPN. She became the first woman to serve as the solo host of a major American network's coverage of a professional sports championship when she anchored CBS's coverage of the NFL, and she was the first female host of NBA on NBC. In recent years, Storm has continued to appear on high-profile broadcasts, including co-hosting ABC's coverage of the Rose Parade and participating in NBC Sports' throwback NBA broadcast in March 2026 alongside Bob Costas and other broadcasters from the network's 1990s-era NBA coverage.

Early Life

Hannah Lynn Storen was born on June 13, 1962, in Oak Park, Illinois. She grew up in a family deeply connected to professional sports. Her father, Mike Storen, was a prominent figure in the American Basketball Association (ABA), serving as the league's commissioner and as general manager of several ABA franchises. Mike Storen held executive positions with the Indiana Pacers, Kentucky Colonels, and Memphis Sounds, among other teams, which exposed Hannah to the world of professional sports from an early age.

Growing up as the daughter of a sports executive gave Storm an intimate familiarity with the business and culture of professional athletics. Her father's career meant the family was immersed in the sports world, providing her with an early understanding of the industry she would later cover as a journalist. Mike Storen passed away in May 2020, and his obituary noted his significant contributions to the ABA during its years of competition with the NBA in the late 1960s and 1970s.

Education

Storm attended the University of Notre Dame, where she earned her undergraduate degree. Her time at Notre Dame played an important role in shaping her career trajectory. The university, known for its prominent athletic programs, provided a natural environment for a future sports broadcaster. Storm has spoken publicly about the influence her Notre Dame education had on her professional development and career path.

Career

Storm began her career in broadcasting in 1984 and has since worked for several of the most prominent television networks in the United States, building a career that has spanned more than four decades.

Early Career and CNN

After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Storm began working in television broadcasting in the mid-1980s. She gained early experience at various local and regional outlets before moving to national cable television. Storm worked at CNN, where she developed her skills as a sports journalist and gained visibility on a national platform. Her work at CNN helped establish her credentials in sports journalism and set the stage for her move to network television.

NBC Sports

Storm's career took a significant step forward when she joined NBC Sports. At NBC, she became the first woman to serve as the host of a major network's coverage of the NBA, anchoring the NBA on NBC pregame and halftime shows. This role placed her alongside some of the most recognizable names in sports broadcasting and gave her a prominent platform during the NBA's peak popularity in the 1990s, an era dominated by Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

Her work on NBA on NBC became iconic, and the broadcast team from that era has been remembered as part of a golden age of NBA television coverage. In March 2026, NBC Sports organized a special "throwback" NBA broadcast for a game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Philadelphia 76ers, reuniting many of the broadcasters from the 1990s-era NBA on NBC coverage. Storm was among those who returned for the event, alongside Bob Costas, Doug Collins, Mike Fratello, Jim Gray, Isiah Thomas, and P.J. Carlesimo.

During a media conference call ahead of the March 3, 2026, throwback broadcast, Storm and her former colleagues reflected on the significance of the 1990s NBA era. Storm, Thomas, and Carlesimo discussed how the NBA on NBC broadcasts of that period were considered "must-see TV" and how both players and fans "understood the" cultural significance of the programming. The throwback broadcast was produced by executive producer Sam Flood, and the event highlighted the lasting legacy of the original broadcast team.

Sports Media Watch noted that NBC Sports was "bringing back many of the broadcasters associated with its 1990s-era NBA package for a special 'throwback' game," underscoring the cultural significance of the original broadcasts and the continued recognition of Storm and her colleagues.

CBS News

After her tenure at NBC Sports, Storm transitioned to CBS, where she took on a role that extended beyond sports journalism. She served as co-anchor of The Early Show, the network's morning news program, demonstrating her versatility as a broadcaster capable of handling hard news, entertainment, and feature stories in addition to sports coverage.

Her time at CBS broadened her profile beyond sports audiences and established her as a recognized figure in general television journalism. The role at The Early Show required her to cover a wide range of topics, from breaking news to human interest stories, and she developed a reputation as a skilled interviewer and news anchor.

ESPN

Storm joined ESPN, where she became one of the network's most prominent anchors. She served as an anchor of SportsCenter, ESPN's flagship news program, and as host of NBA Countdown, the pregame show for ABC's NBA coverage. At ESPN, Storm anchored some of the network's most significant broadcasts and covered major stories across the sports landscape.

A Forbes profile noted Storm's ability to distinguish herself in the competitive world of sports broadcasting, describing her career trajectory and her role at SportsCenter. The position placed her at the center of daily sports news coverage, requiring her to handle breaking stories, conduct interviews, and provide analysis across multiple sports.

One notable on-air moment occurred when Storm announced the death of broadcaster John Saunders live on SportsCenter in August 2016, an emotional moment that was widely noted in media coverage.

In 2010, Storm was at the center of a media controversy when ESPN radio host Tony Kornheiser made on-air comments about her appearance and wardrobe. ESPN subsequently suspended Kornheiser for his remarks. The incident sparked a broader conversation about the treatment of women in sports media and the scrutiny female broadcasters face regarding their appearance.

Storm has also been involved with ESPN's Face of the Franchise and other programming, and she has continued to be a fixture on the network's major broadcasts. In December 2025, ESPN announced that Storm and fellow SportsCenter anchor Kevin Negandhi would return as co-hosts of ABC's coverage of the 137th Rose Parade on New Year's Day 2026.

Storm has also written commentary for ESPN, contributing essays and opinion pieces to the network's editorial platforms on topics related to sports and broadcasting.

Near-Hosting of The View

In July 2025, it was reported that Storm revealed she had nearly been selected to host The View, the long-running ABC daytime talk show. The revelation highlighted the breadth of Storm's appeal as a broadcaster and the interest from television executives in her abilities beyond the sports desk.

Personal Life

Storm has three children. In December 2012, she suffered serious injuries in a propane gas grill accident at her home. The accident resulted in the loss of her eyebrows, eyelashes, and approximately half of her hair, and she sustained burns to her face, neck, chest, and hands. Storm's recovery and subsequent return to the air were widely covered by the media. The experience motivated her to become an advocate for burn awareness and safety.

Following the grilling accident, Storm established the Hannah Storm Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on providing support and resources for individuals who have suffered burns and related injuries. The foundation works to raise awareness about burn injuries and to assist burn survivors with their recovery.

Storm's home has been featured in design publications, including Traditional Home, which highlighted the design of her residence.

Recognition

Storm has been recognized throughout her career for her contributions to sports broadcasting and her role as a woman in a field historically dominated by men. She has been described as a pioneer in sports broadcasting for her numerous "firsts" in the industry, including being the first woman to serve as solo host of a major network's NBA coverage.

In October 2025, Storm was invited to serve as a speaker at the Blair County Sports Hall of Fame in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Hall of Fame's announcement described her as "a pioneer in sports broadcasting" and noted the organization's tradition of welcoming nationally recognized speakers.

Storm's involvement with ESPN's coverage of the Department of Defense Warrior Games has also drawn attention. She attended the 2017 Warrior Games, and a Chicago Tribune profile noted her participation in the event and her broader work beyond the anchor desk.

The Association for Women in Sports Media and other industry organizations have recognized Storm's impact on the field over the course of her career. Her longevity in the industry—spanning from 1984 to the present—and her ability to work across networks and formats have contributed to her standing as one of the most enduring figures in American sports journalism.

Legacy

Hannah Storm's career, which has extended across more than four decades and multiple major networks, represents a significant chapter in the history of American sports broadcasting. As one of the first women to hold prominent anchor and hosting positions in network sports television, she helped open doors for subsequent generations of female sports journalists.

Her role as the first female host of NBA on NBC during the league's most popular era in the 1990s placed her in front of millions of viewers at a time when women were rarely featured in such roles. The significance of this was underscored by NBC Sports' decision in 2026 to include her in the throwback broadcast alongside Bob Costas and other members of the original team, reflecting her integral role in that era of NBA coverage.

Beyond her on-air achievements, Storm's advocacy for burn survivors through the Hannah Storm Foundation has extended her public impact beyond journalism. Her personal experience with a serious burn injury and her willingness to speak publicly about it brought attention to burn safety and the challenges faced by burn survivors.

The breadth of her career—from local television in the 1980s to CNN, NBC Sports, CBS News, and ESPN—reflects an adaptability and professionalism that allowed her to remain relevant across shifting media landscapes. Her continued presence on major broadcasts in 2025 and 2026, including the Rose Parade and the NBC throwback NBA game, demonstrates an enduring connection to the sports broadcasting profession.

The Sports Journalism Institute noted the significance of ESPN's programming featuring Storm, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the Saturday sports broadcasting format.