One day after the Minnesota Lynx lost their radio broadcaster, John Focke, to the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, the four-time WNBA champions announced that Sloane Martin has been hired to take over play-by-play duties.
Martin currently works at WCCO Radio as a reporter and anchor, jobs she’ll continue to hold while bringing a new voice to Lynx radio (flagship station 106.1 BOB FM).
“I am beyond excited to take on this role and I can’t wait to connect with Lynx fans in a new way,” said Martin in a release. “I am proud to join an organization that values promoting women’s basketball and the stories of these athletes as much as I do.”
Here are five things to know about Martin.
1. She’s a pioneer in Minnesota high school hockey
Earlier this year, Martin became the first woman to be the voice of the Minnesota high school boys’ state hockey tournament in its 75-year history.
2. Martin played basketball in college
Martin played at Division III St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. Lo and behold, her college basketball photo from 2007 exists on the internet right here.
3. She’ll broadcast every Lynx game
Being the voice of the Lynx demands more time and travel than other play-by-play jobs in the WNBA for the simple fact that the Lynx are the only team in the league that have radio broadcasts for home and away games.
Martin will be on the call for all 34 regular season games, beginning May 25 when the Lynx take on the Chicago Sky.
“They’re the only organization with a home-and-away radio broadcaster which gives me a great opportunity to shares the stories to these athletes and connect with fans,” Martin said, via WCCO Radio.
4. Martin has lived the nomadic broadcaster life
It’s no secret that broadcast professionals often have to travel the county en route to finding jobs in bigger markets, and Martin is no exception. A Los Angeles native, Martin pursued broadcasting in college and then jumped onto the scene as the full-time broadcaster for the University of Buffalo women’s basketball team, which included a chance to do play-by-play during Buffalo’s 2016 run to the NCAA Tournament.
In Minnesota, she’s called the Prep Bowl on 45TV as well as the boys’ and girls’ hockey tournaments, not to mention broadcasting college games on Big Ten Network.
5. She’s married to a Twin Cities radio host
Martin’s husband is SKOR North (KSTP-AM) radio host, Matthew Coller.
It wasn’t that long ago that my wife was driving to high schools in the middle of the woods of WNY to call games on a tiny AM station. Now she’s the Minnesota Lynx play-by-play broadcaster. She worked like crazy for it and I’m proud as hell https://t.co/ml6XNA5p4u
— Matthew Coller (@MatthewColler) May 1, 2019
