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<p>Bob Ley is a retired American <a href="/biography/bob-ley">sports anchor</a> and reporter, best known for his long and impactful career at ESPN.</p>

<h2>Early Life and Education</h2>

<p>Robert A. Ley was born on March 16, 1955, in Newark, New Jersey. He graduated magna cum laude in 1976 from Seton Hall University with a bachelor's degree in communications. During his time at Seton Hall, he was active in student media and later served on the university's Board of Regents. Ley began his broadcasting career while still in college, working as a production director at WOR-AM in New York from 1975 to 1977. He also worked as a public address announcer for the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League and contributed as a sportswriter to the Passaic (N.J.) Herald-News.</p>

<h2>ESPN Career</h2>

<p>Bob Ley joined ESPN as a SportsCenter anchor on the network’s third day of operation—September 9, 1979—establishing himself as one of the network's foundational figures. In 1980, he hosted ESPN's first NCAA Selection Show and the network’s inaugural live broadcast of the NFL Draft, roles he continued in for the following nine years.</p>

<p>Perhaps most notably, Ley served as the founding host of Outside the Lines (OTL), ESPN’s investigative news program, which launched in May 1990. He also co-hosted the Sunday morning newsmagazine show E:60. Through these programs, Ley provided in-depth reporting on major issues affecting sports, including concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in football, as well as the NFL's response to cases of domestic violence.</p>

<h2>Awards and Recognition</h2>

<p>Over the course of his career, Bob Ley received numerous accolades. He won 11 Sports Emmy Awards, including one in 2018 for his work with OTL. In 2014, both Ley and Outside the Lines were honored with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_I._duPont–Columbia_University_Award">Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award</a> for excellence in broadcast journalism, specifically for their reporting on youth football. Additionally, Ley and OTL received four Edward R. Murrow Awards, a testament to the program’s journalistic integrity.</p>

<p>In 2019, Bob Ley was inducted into the National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to his legacy. That same year, he announced his retirement from ESPN, explaining he wanted to explore other endeavors, including mentoring aspiring journalists and collaborating with Seton Hall University.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Family</h2>

<p>Bob Ley is married to Barbara Ley, and the couple has two children. Though Ley was known for his demanding work ethic, he has spoken fondly of the support he has received from his family throughout his career. Some have speculated that part of his decision to retire was motivated by a desire to spend more time with his loved ones. In his retirement, he looks forward to maintaining a strong family bond while also contributing to the development of future journalists.</p>

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