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Jason Benetti hailed for ‘redefining’ broadcasting
TL;DR
Jason Benetti, diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two, has been named NBC's lead play-by-play voice for *Sunday Night Baseball*, marking a significant return for the network after 26 years.
Key points
- Jason Benetti diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two
- NBC's lead play-by-play voice for Sunday Night Baseball
- Return to national coverage after 26 years
- Benetti's early career included sending out a CD of his work
- He navigated significant personal challenges in his journey
Mentioned in this story
Jason BenettiNBCSyracuse University
Sunday Night Baseball
Syndication: The Enquirer
Jason Benetti was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a group of permanent motor disorders that affect movement and posture, at just two years old, leaving him with an awkward gait, a lazy eye, and an upbringing where he had to navigate being so visibly different in a world that wasn’t designed to be accommodating for those differences.
Those things were not going to prevent him from achieving his goals.
This year, NBC nabbed Benetti to be its lead play-by-play voice for Sunday Night Baseball as it returns to national coverage of the sport for the first time in 26 years. Long before that, a 21-year-old Benetti, then a recent Syracuse University SI Newhouse School of Public Communications alumn, was sending out a CD of his play-by-play to other alumni, per Sport Business Journal’s Richard Deitsch.
After over two months of waiting, he received a call.
“This was before the time of spam bots, because I remember the number did not come up, like it was a restricted number,” Benetti said. “I answered because I thought it could be Verizon with me being late again on the phone bill. But no, it was Bob Costas.”
Costas alerted Benetti to a writing job that was opening up for his monthly HBO Show, Costas Now, and while he ultimately passed on the opportunity, it all came full circle. Last month, Costas hosted NBC’s new pregame show before a game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and after citing some of the network’s acclaimed MLB voices, including Red Barber and Vin Scully, he threw it to Benetti.
“It feels simultaneously surreal, impossible and full circle,” Benetti said. “I went to school at Syracuse because Bob was one of the people I wanted to be. He was the dream all of us ’90s sportscaster kids were chasing. When I went to Syracuse, a close friend of mine said to me on my last night at home before I left for school, ‘Go be Bob Costas.’ I’m not Bob, but he tossed to me. That feels really special.”
Q&A
What challenges did Jason Benetti face due to his cerebral palsy?
Jason Benetti faced challenges such as an awkward gait and a lazy eye, which made his upbringing difficult in a world not designed for those with visible differences.
How did Jason Benetti start his broadcasting career?
Benetti began his broadcasting career by sending out a CD of his play-by-play work to alumni after graduating from Syracuse University.
What is significant about Benetti's role in *Sunday Night Baseball*?
Benetti's role as the lead play-by-play voice for *Sunday Night Baseball* is significant as it marks NBC's return to national coverage of the sport after 26 years.
How has Jason Benetti redefined broadcasting?
Benetti has redefined broadcasting by overcoming personal challenges and achieving a prominent role in sports commentary, inspiring others with disabilities.
