Utah Jazz putting celebrity power on broadcast crew

The 2021-22 Utah Jazz broadcast team will include a new yet familiar voice.

Anyone who has watched ESPN regularly at any point during the past 23 years ought to immediately recognize Holly Rowe. She has been a mainstay as a college football sideline reporter while covering various other sports during her tenure. Now, if you are a Utah Jazz fan, you are about to see her face much more often.

Rowe, a University of Utah graduate, will join the franchise’s broadcast team as an analyst for the upcoming season. But she plans to continue in her role at ESPN as well — at least for now, anyway.

Here’s what Rowe told NBA.com about the gig:

“My family is here. When the Jazz reached out to me…I was shocked. I’ve covered basketball for 30 years, and now I get to stay involved with a team I grew up with.”

A welcomed Utah Jazz addition

According to the longtime voice of the Jazz, play-by-play announcer Craig Bolerjack, developing an on-air bond with Rowe shouldn’t be a problem at all:

“This is definitely a full-circle moment for her. We worked together during the late-80s to mid-90s doing stuff with BYU, and you could tell even then that she was a focused young reporter who was very good at her craft.”

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It looks as if Rowe will replace former Jazz star Matt Harpring as a color commentator alongside Bolerjack. She anticipates it being an ideal fit:

“My first-ever game on ESPN was with Craig, so it’s really amazing to have this opportunity again.”

The 2021-22 Utah Jazz slate tips off on Oct. 20 at home against the Oklahoma City Thunder. First, preseason action begins on Oct. 4 when the squad plays at the San Antonio Spurs. Training camp gets underway in Las Vegas on Tuesday.