Meet the 2020 Award Winners: Illinois Sportscaster Jason Benetti

This award spotlight is on NSMA 2020 Illinois Sportscaster of the Year, Jason Benetti, a first-time NSMA winner! Benetti is the TV play-by-play broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox and calls college football and basketball on ESPN.

Benetti was interviewed by NSMA intern Sahil Dhawan on his career and the industry as a whole.

NSMA: What was your career path like on your way to your current position?

Jason: You can ask anyone I went to college with, if it wasn't play-by-play, I didn't want to do it. I've always wanted to be a play-by-play broadcaster. I took any opportunity I can get to call those games. I also went to law school while I was calling games and that helped me. What I learned in law school transferred well to what I do now.

NSMA: What is your favorite part of the job?

Jason: It's different every day. Our brains fire in a different way every day. It never will get mundane.

NSMA: What's some advice you can give those new to the industry?

Jason: Work on the craft. Make a great tape. If you sound the part and know your way around the game, you will get hired.

NSMA: What has been the highlight of your career thus far?

Jason: Locally, the White Sox hiring me was huge for a kid who grew up loving that team. Also, the first Statcast game in 2018, the response and experience was unmatched. Having Bill Walton on a cast was also incredible. So insightful and fun.

You may watch the entire interview here:

Written by NSMA Intern,

Sahil Dhawan