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Basketball Updated: 31 Oct 2018

With BBVA Compass honor, ESPN reporter becomes the story

Long-time ESPN reporter Holly Rowe’s unique story gained BBVA Compass’ and the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury’s attention last week.

Mercury with Holly Rowe

The Mercury named Rowe the team’s 2016 BBVA Compass Bright Futures Woman of Inspiration on Aug. 28 during a game in Phoenix, earning a segment on ESPN’s SportsCenter, the network’s flagship program. The bank supported the recognition as part of its Bright Futures platform, an articulation of the bank’s desire to provide a roadmap to a brighter future.

Award for Holly Rowe
To twitter

The Mercury named Rowe the team’s 2016 BBVA Compass Bright Futures Woman of Inspiration

“Holly’s journey reflects BBVA Compass’ overall mission of providing brighter futures for everyone,” said BBVA Compass Phoenix CEO Brad Parker. “Our Bright Futures platform centers on odds-defying stories like Holly’s and the core values it takes to accomplish your goals. We’re proud to support her recognition with the Phoenix Mercury.”

Our Bright Futures platform centers on odds-defying stories like Holly’s and the core values it takes to accomplish your goals

Rowe’s journey in sports media started during a time when few women were part of the sports broadcasting landscape.  Starting in the early 1990s, she lobbied with local schools and purchased her own airtime on local radio stations so she could broadcast women’s college basketball games. 

By 1997, she earned a position as a sideline reporter at ESPN, the world’s largest sports network. Currently Rowe covers nearly all sports including college football, basketball, softball, volleyball, NBA, WNBA, soccer, and the Little League World Series.