Amy Bender is a Los Angeles-based multi-media sports anchor, host, producer and reporter. Bender’s current roles include host of “Countdown to London” for NBC Universal Sports and sideline reporter and play-by-play announcer for FSN West, she’s also in her 14th year as host of the National Cheerleading Championships on ESPN.
Bender has also worked in Salt Lake City, Chicago and Phoenix. Most recently she spent time at KSTU, the Fox affiliate in Salt Lake City and before that at KPHO, the CBS affiliate in Phoenix as both a sports anchor and producer-host of a lifestyle program. While in Chicago, Bender hosted CLTV’s Sportspage, an hour long live call-in show where celebrities regularly made their way on to the set. Her resume also includes sidelines for PRCA Rodeo on CBS and Triple Crown of Polo on ESPN as well as hosting pre-game shows for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks, a show she also co-produced.
Bender co-owns Palm and Central Productions which has produced a number of programs including a documentary honoring the legacy of Pat Tillman which aired on FSN on the 1-year anniversary of his death. “Life on the Edge”, a reality-based show featuring Arizona Cardinals Running Back Edgerrin James aired weekly during the 2006 NFL season on KPHO.
Other past radio work in Phoenix includes three seasons as sideline reporter-producer for Arizona State Football broadcasts and two seasons as game day anchor for the Arizona Cardinals. While in Utah, Bender served as a producer on the Jazz radio network while also working in the team’s media and public relations department.
Bender is a graduate of the University of Utah where she worked in the sports information office.
Her love of sports began in Kansas City. She grew up following the Royals’ George Brett and as a third grader learned to do division with his batting average. The Chiefs never won her over but the Cowboys did. The Bender’s 11 year old daughter, Landry is named after the former Dallas Cowboys coach.