Early Life and Education

A Colorado native, Alanna Rizzo was active in athletics from a young age. As a student at Sierra High School in Colorado Springs, she participated in track and cross-country, graduating with the class of 1993. Her achievements in sports were recognized when she was later inducted into the school’s athletic hall of fame.

Rizzo initially earned a bachelor's degree in international business. However, her career path shifted after she realized her passion lay elsewhere. Inspired by a personal epiphany in late 2001 while working in hotel sales and marketing, she decided to follow her long-standing interest in sports. She returned to school, earning a master’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2003.

Recalling that turning point, she told the LA Times, “I had an epiphany between Christmas and New Year’s of 2001. I was in sales and marketing in the hotel industry and I was just very unfulfilled... I took a second mortgage on my house, went back to school and got a master’s in journalism and started from the bottom and worked my way up.”

Broadcasting Career and Role with the Los Angeles Dodgers

Rizzo began gaining recognition in 2012 through her work with MLB Network, where she appeared on popular programs such as “Intentional Talk” and “Quick Pitch.” She also worked as a reporter for Root Sports Rocky Mountain, further cementing her reputation as a knowledgeable and engaging sports journalist.

Her tenure with the Los Angeles Dodgers began in January 2014 when she joined SportsNet LA as part of the coverage team. Since then, she has become a well-respected figure among both fans and colleagues, known for her preparation, insight, and professionalism.

Explaining her in-depth game day responsibilities in a 2017 interview, Rizzo described arriving at the ballpark four and a half hours before the first pitch to gather interviews for the pre-game show, conduct one-on-one player and manager interviews, and produce field reports during the game. “During the game, I do anywhere from three to five sideline hits... I write all of my own stuff anyway, home or away,” she said, highlighting the demanding nature of sideline reporting and the dedication required for the role.