He attended the University of Michigan, where he studied communications and became actively involved in college journalism. While at Michigan, Eisen discovered a passion for sports commentary and writing, which led him to serve as an editor for the student newspaper, The Michigan Daily.

Academic and Professional Foundations in Journalism

During his time at the University of Michigan, Eisen was also a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. He graduated in 1990 and pursued further education at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, one of the premier journalism schools in the country. There, he earned his Master’s degree in journalism in 1994.

While studying at Northwestern, Eisen gained practical experience working at the Staten Island Advance from 1990 to 1993 and at the Chicago Tribune from 1993 to 1994. These early roles honed his writing and reporting skills and set the foundation for his broadcast journalism career.

Early Television Career

After earning his Master’s degree, Eisen began his on-air career as a reporter and correspondent for KRCR-TV in Redding, California. He worked at KRCR-TV for two years, gaining valuable experience in television journalism before advancing to a national platform.

Rise at ESPN

In 1996, Eisen joined ESPN, where he became known for his witty and approachable on-air persona. He served as a prominent anchor on SportsCenter and later expanded his hosting portfolio to include shows such as Beg, Borrow & Deal, which aired from September 17, 2002, to August 20, 2003. He also appeared on The Tony Kornheiser Show and The Dan Patrick Show, both of which focused on sports commentary, athlete interviews, and discussions on sports culture.