Melanie Collins is a sports reporter with experience on the sidelines with CBS Sports who has quickly risen into a prominent role in their NFL coverage. So, for those unfamiliar, who is she?
Melanie Collins’ Career Trajectory
Collins started her career as a broadcasting and journalism major at Penn State University. Upon graduating, she worked hard covering multiple Penn State teams to get as much experience as possible.
She worked with the football, basketball, and baseball teams, gaining valuable insight into sports reporting that led her to opportunities. She also credits her time as an intern at WPSU-TV collecting stats and at AccuWeather with helping to give her the skills to be successful in a formidable field.
She is now a prominent figure in the CBS Sports NFL broadcast, having sideline interviews postgame with some of the biggest names in the sport to provide perspective to the at-home watching experience.
“HE A GOAT. BEST QB IN THE LEAGUE. STOP PLAYING WITH HIM MAN.”
– Derrick Henry jumped into Lamar’s interview to deliver a message | @Melanie_Collins | @Ravens pic.twitter.com/Ni4kccMRqb
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 6, 2024
“We’re not ending this with a field goal — we’re ending this with a touchdown.”
– Tua Tagovailoa on what he said before the @MiamiDolphins‘ final drive (🎤 @Melanie_Collins) pic.twitter.com/m2ee1HixL9
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 8, 2024
She is also a special guest from time to time on SportsNation on ESPN to provide NFL insights from someone who is up close with the game on a weekly basis.
Melanie Collins’ Personal Life
Collins is the daughter of a doctor and a surgeon, and has two brothers. The Collins family resides in Pennsylvania. One of her brothers, Kurt, played hockey at Penn State.
While she seemingly covered every other sport at Penn State, she is a huge fan of hockey and is romantically involved with former Nashville Predators forward James Neal. The two have been together since 2015 and are proud owners of two pitbulls named Onyx and Cosmo.
The job of a reporter is not one that is easy, as you need to be able to dissect the game, notice the little things, and be ready when your name is called to go on air. Collins was a standout at these things, catalyzing her to be one of the most prominent NFL sideline reporters in the game today.
One noteworthy moment in Collins’ career was when she interviewed Kobe Bryant, as her first in-game interview. Needless to say, this was one for the ages, and to this day, she still appreciates it.
The game won’t be the same without this guy. #Kobe pic.twitter.com/dVPc3lieDg
— Melanie Collins (@Melanie_Collins) November 30, 2015
Between her roles at CBS Sports, the Golf Channel, and her personal entrepreneurial endeavors, she has amassed a net worth estimated between $6-8 million over her career to this point.
Collins will be a part of the NFL’s Netflix Christmas broadcast on Christmas Day.