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Alanna Rizzo is an American sports reporter best known for her work covering the Los Angeles Dodgers on SportsNet LA.
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.”
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.
Despite her accomplishments, Rizzo has had to confront the challenges many women in sports broadcasting face, including online harassment on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. She has spoken openly about these negative interactions, emphasizing that she does not let them interfere with her work or passion for baseball.
Rizzo is known for her professionalism, credibility, and depth of knowledge, attributes that have earned her widespread respect in the industry. She is often cited as a role model for young women aspiring to careers in sports media, encouraging greater diversity in the field.
Throughout her broadcasting career, Rizzo has received multiple accolades. She is a seven-time Emmy Award winner, recognized for her excellence in sports reporting. In December 2015, she was honored with the Latina Leadership Award from H.O.P.E. (Hispanas Organized for Political Equality). This award acknowledges Latina professionals making significant contributions in their respective fields in California.
Rizzo married Justin Kole, a private business owner, in 2013. Though she maintains privacy regarding her personal life, she has expressed appreciation for her husband's support, noting his willingness to relocate multiple times to accommodate her career opportunities.
A recurring misconception links her to Chicago Cubs All-Star Anthony Rizzo due to their shared surname. She finds humor in this confusion and has playfully addressed it with her audience, confirming they are not related.
Outside of work, Rizzo enjoys traveling and exploring new cities. Among her favorites are New York, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh—which she specifically praised for the scenic beauty of PNC Park. “It’s such a beautiful panoramic view of the city and the bridge, it’s gorgeous,” she once shared.
Rizzo is also an advocate for animal welfare, particularly dog rescue. She supports the "adopt-don’t-shop" movement and is passionate about ending puppy mills. In her downtime, she values relaxation, savoring good food and wine, and reconnecting with friends and family during the off-season.
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