Brief Introduction of Jac Collinsworth
Jac Collinsworth is a distinguished American sportscaster who has rapidly made a name for himself in the competitive world of sports broadcasting. As the son of NFL legend and renowned analyst Cris Collinsworth, he has carved out his own path, primarily recognized for his impactful roles with NBC Sports and formerly with ESPN. Collinsworth is known for his versatile presence, seamlessly transitioning between hosting studio shows like Football Night in America and Peacock’s Sunday Night Football Final, providing play-by-play commentary for college sports, and reporting from major events including the Olympic Games and the Super Bowl. His engaging style and comprehensive understanding of sports have established him as a significant and rising voice in the industry.
Jac Collinsworth Overview
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jac Collinsworth |
| Date of Birth | February 13, 1995 |
| Age | 30 (as of early September 2025) |
| Birthplace | Fort Thomas, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | Cris Collinsworth (Father), Holly Bankemper Collinsworth (Mother) |
| Siblings | Austin Collinsworth (Brother), Katie Collinsworth (Sister), Ashley Collinsworth (Sister) |
| Height | 6 feet 3 inches (190 cm) |
| Profession | Sportscaster, Host, Reporter, Play-by-Play Announcer |
| Employer(s) | NBC Sports (2013-2017, 2020-present), ESPN (2017-2020) |
| Education | Highlands High School, University of Notre Dame (Film, Television and Theatre) |
| Marital Status | Reportedly private, speculated to have a long-term girlfriend, Nicole De Francisco |
| Net Worth | Estimated around $2 million |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
Early Life and Education of Jac Collinsworth
Jac Collinsworth was born on February 13, 1995, in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, a town near Cincinnati. He is the youngest of four children born to former NFL wide receiver and current NBC Sports commentator Cris Collinsworth, and his wife, Holly Bankemper Collinsworth. Growing up in a household deeply entrenched in professional sports and broadcasting, Jac was exposed to the industry from an early age. His father’s prominent career as a sportscaster undoubtedly influenced Jac’s own burgeoning interest in the field.
Collinsworth attended Highlands High School, where he participated in both football and basketball. He was a standout wide receiver on the football team, achieving 26 catches for 495 yards and five touchdowns in 2011. However, a significant back injury sustained in 2012 ultimately sidetracked his aspirations of playing college football, leading him to pivot his focus towards broadcasting. During his high school years, he proactively immersed himself in broadcasting by recording, editing, and producing videos, and even operating cameras for the monthly news shows. His talent was recognized early, leading to opportunities to sit at the anchor desk for school announcements and produce a daily five-minute show.
Following high school, Jac Collinsworth pursued higher education at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 2017 with a degree in Film, Television, and Theatre. While at Notre Dame, he continued to hone his broadcasting skills, founding and hosting “ND Live,” a digital series dedicated to covering the Fighting Irish football team. He also contributed weekly player features for head coach Brian Kelly‘s nationally-syndicated television show, Inside Notre Dame Football, and conducted athlete interviews for a weekly podcast featured on Showtime’s A Season with Notre Dame Football. Collinsworth also gained valuable experience covering Notre Dame’s pro day for NFL Network in both 2016 and 2017.
Jac Collinsworth’s Career
Jac Collinsworth’s career in sports broadcasting began even before his college graduation, showcasing a clear trajectory toward his chosen profession. His “first stint at NBC” commenced while he was still a student at Notre Dame, working with the network’s sideline production team for Notre Dame football broadcasts from 2013 to 2017. During this period, he also served as a sideline reporter for NBC’s telecasts of the Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game in 2016 and 2017. A notable early achievement was his role as NBC Olympics’ first-ever social media correspondent at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he interviewed athletes for the Olympic Late Night with Ryan Seacrest team.
Upon graduating from Notre Dame in 2017, Collinsworth joined ESPN in August of that year. At ESPN, he served as a features reporter for Sunday NFL Countdown, specializing in player profiles and compelling storytelling. He also gained experience hosting NFL Live during the NFL offseason and anchored Sunday NFL Countdown segments. In July 2019, he was named host of The Huddle, the signature football program on the ACC Network.
In March 2020, Collinsworth made a significant move, returning to NBC Sports, where his career has continued to flourish. Sam Flood, Executive Producer and President of Production for NBC and NBC Sports Network, recognized Collinsworth’s potential as a “unique television personality” based on his college work and subsequent reporting. At NBC, Collinsworth has taken on a multifaceted role, cementing his presence across various high-profile events. He co-hosts Football Night in America, one of the most-watched studio shows in sports, and Peacock’s Sunday Night Football Final.
His responsibilities also include serving as a pre and post-game host for Notre Dame Football on NBC and a pre and post-race studio host for NASCAR on NBC. Collinsworth is also a play-by-play announcer for Big Ten and Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball, and he is the voice of the Atlantic 10 men’s basketball tournament. His work extends to major international sporting events; he was an on-site contributor for Peacock’s Tokyo Tonight during the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics and hosted the Gold Zone whip-around show for NBCU’s coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Collinsworth made his Super Bowl debut in 2022 as the co-host of the Super Bowl LVI Pregame Show. That same year, he served as a play-by-play announcer for NBC’s coverage of the USFL and was promoted to be the play-by-play voice of Notre Dame football for the 2022 season, continuing into 2023. While he was replaced by Dan Hicks for the 2024 season, he continues to call select Big Ten football games. In 2021, Collinsworth was also a reporter for NBC’s coverage of the Kentucky Derby and a pre-race host for the Indianapolis 500. His rapid ascent has led to discussions about nepotism in sports media, with some observing his quick progress to marquee events, while others acknowledge his developing skills and passion for storytelling.
Jac Collinsworth Personal Life & Family
Jac Collinsworth maintains a relatively private personal life, particularly concerning his relationships. While details are scarce, it has been speculated that he has a long-term girlfriend named Nicole De Francisco. There is no publicly available information indicating marriage or children for Jac Collinsworth.
He is the youngest of four children born to Cris Collinsworth, a legendary former NFL wide receiver and acclaimed sportscaster, and Holly Bankemper Collinsworth, an attorney and member of the Cincinnati Bar Council. His siblings include an older brother, Austin Collinsworth, and two sisters, Katie Collinsworth and Ashley Collinsworth. The Collinsworth family has a strong athletic and broadcasting lineage. Austin was a starting safety for the Notre Dame football team, though his career was also cut short by injury, and he now works as Director of Development for Xsolla Capital. His sister Katie works for NBC as a business marketing manager for GolfNow, a division of NBC’s Golf Channel. Ashley was captain of the Harvard University women’s track team.
Jac grew up in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, and his childhood was immersed in the world of sports, largely due to his father’s prominent career. Cris Collinsworth’s extensive broadcasting experience shaped Jac’s early understanding and passion for the industry. Despite his own athletic aspirations being curtailed by injury, Jac’s innate talent for storytelling and a natural affinity for sports commentary guided him toward a career in broadcasting, mirroring his father’s professional path.
Awards and Achievements of Jac Collinsworth
Jac Collinsworth has garnered recognition for his contributions to sports broadcasting throughout his career. One notable achievement includes winning a Sports Emmy as part of NBCUniversal’s coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics. This award specifically honored the coverage as “Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event.”
Beyond formal awards, his career is marked by a series of significant assignments and roles that highlight his growing prominence:
- Co-host of Football Night in America and Peacock’s Sunday Night Football Final.
- Play-by-play announcer for Big Ten and Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball.
- Host of the Gold Zone whip-around show for NBCU’s coverage of Olympic Games Paris 2024.
- Co-host for NBC’s Super Bowl LVI Pregame Show in 2022.
- First-ever social media correspondent for NBC Olympics at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
- Host of ESPN’s The Huddle on the ACC Network.
- Play-by-play voice for Notre Dame football on NBC (2022-2023).
Jac Collinsworth Net Worth and Income
Jac Collinsworth’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million. His income primarily stems from his various roles as a sportscaster, host, and reporter for NBC Sports. While specific current salary figures for his time at NBC are not publicly detailed, reports from his earlier career indicated an approximate yearly salary of $75,000 when he was working for ESPN. This figure at the time included his contributions to programs like Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL Live.
His current income sources with NBC Sports are diverse, encompassing his co-hosting duties for high-profile shows such as Football Night in America, play-by-play commentary for college football and basketball, and his involvement in major events like the Olympics, NASCAR, the Kentucky Derby, and the Indianapolis 500. Collinsworth’s continuous involvement in a wide range of top-tier sports broadcasts contributes significantly to his overall financial standing, making him a well-compensated figure in sports media.
Legacy and Influence
Jac Collinsworth is actively building his legacy within sports broadcasting, distinguishing himself through his versatility and youthful energy. His impact stems from his ability to seamlessly transition across various broadcasting roles—from studio hosting to play-by-play announcing and on-site reporting—for major networks like NBC Sports. He represents a new generation of sportscasters who grew up immersed in digital media, a background he leveraged early in his career by creating “ND Live” at Notre Dame and serving as NBC Olympics’ first social media correspondent.
While his rapid ascent has sometimes sparked discussions about nepotism due to his father’s stature, Jac has consistently demonstrated a genuine passion for storytelling and a dedication to his craft. His continuous presence on prominent shows like Football Night in America and his involvement in major events such as the Super Bowl and the Olympic Games suggest a long and influential career ahead. Collinsworth’s ability to connect with audiences and provide insightful commentary positions him as a significant voice shaping how sports stories are told to a broad audience, potentially influencing aspiring young broadcasters.
Interesting Facts about Jac Collinsworth
- Family of Broadcasters: Beyond his father, Cris Collinsworth, his sister Katie Collinsworth Hughes also works for NBC, as a business marketing manager for GolfNow, a division of NBC’s Golf Channel.
- Early Broadcasting Start: Jac began his broadcasting journey in high school, operating cameras for news shows before transitioning to on-air roles, even coining a five-minute daily school announcement show.
- Football Dreams Derailed: Despite being a talented wide receiver in high school, a back injury prevented him from pursuing college football, leading him to fully embrace broadcasting.
- Notre Dame Connection: Both Jac and his older brother Austin attended the University of Notre Dame. Austin was a football team captain before his own injury, and Jac made a significant impact with “ND Live” during his studies.
- Versatile Talent: He is noted for his comfort in both the booth and the studio, capable of calling games, hosting pre/post-game shows, and conducting on-site interviews.
- Looks and Sounds Like Dad: Many observers note his striking resemblance to his father and similar vocal mannerisms, a fact both Jac and Cris have jokingly acknowledged.
- Passionate Storyteller: Collinsworth has expressed his passion for storytelling, viewing broadcasting not as work but as an opportunity to share compelling narratives.
Controversies
While Jac Collinsworth’s career has seen a rapid rise in prominence within sports broadcasting, it has not been entirely free from public discussion, particularly concerning the topic of nepotism. Some commentators and viewers have raised questions about his accelerated career trajectory, suggesting that his familial connection to renowned sportscaster Cris Collinsworth may have played a role in his opportunities.
For instance, his assignment as a play-by-play announcer for significant college football games, such as Notre Dame games on NBC, has drawn criticism from some who feel he was fast-tracked into high-profile roles without the extensive on-air experience typically required. Critics have occasionally described his play-by-play skills as still developing, leading to a broader debate in sports media about whether family connections provide an unfair advantage, potentially allowing individuals to “leapfrog” more experienced broadcasters. While these discussions are generally framed as observations about industry dynamics rather than direct accusations of wrongdoing, they represent the most notable public challenges or criticisms related to Jac Collinsworth’s career path. No significant personal scandals or verified controversies outside of professional critiques regarding his advancement have been widely reported.
Social Media Presence
Jac Collinsworth maintains an active presence on various social media platforms, allowing him to connect with his audience and share updates on his professional endeavors. As of available information, his Instagram page, @jaccollinsworth, has more than 12,000 followers. While specific current follower counts for other platforms like Twitter (now X) or YouTube were not immediately detailed, his engagement across social media underscores his commitment to interacting with fans and promoting his work at NBC Sports. His online presence serves as a platform to share insights, behind-the-scenes glimpses of his work, and reflections on the sports he covers.
Final Words about Jac Collinsworth
Jac Collinsworth has firmly established himself as a dynamic and integral part of NBC Sports’ broadcasting team, following a career path that blends inherited passion with individual talent and unwavering dedication. His current status sees him as a co-host of the highly-rated Football Night in America, a play-by-play announcer for collegiate sports, and a prominent figure in the network’s coverage of major events, including the Olympics and the Super Bowl. His journey from a high school football player whose dreams were rerouted by injury to a versatile sportscaster highlights his resilience and adaptability.
Collinsworth’s legacy is in its formative stages, but he is already shaping how a younger generation connects with sports through his contemporary approach to broadcasting and his active digital engagement. He embodies the evolving landscape of sports media, where multi-platform proficiency and an ability to tell compelling stories are paramount. Looking ahead, Jac Collinsworth’s future plans likely involve continued expansion of his roles at NBC Sports, further cementing his position as one of the leading voices in sports journalism. His commitment to the craft and his continuous involvement in high-profile events indicate a trajectory toward a long and impactful career at the forefront of sports broadcasting.
