Holly Rowe's emotional WNBA Finals confession reveals why missing historic Game 7 for ESPN's college football assignment hurt
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe struggled to hide her emotions after missing the WNBA’s first-ever Finals Game 7 on October 31, 2026. After spending nearly 22 years covering the league, she found it difficult to watch such an important night from a distance. Rowe was assigned to the Georgia vs. Florida college football game instead, leaving her wishing she could have covered both events.
Holly Rowe opens up about missing the historic WNBA finals game 7Speaking with Suzy Shuster on October 30, a day before the championship game, Rowe explained why missing the WNBA Finals meant so much to her. She revealed that it was the first Finals she had missed in around 22 years, making the situation particularly difficult.
“This is my first finals that I have not been working in like 22 years, so I’ve really devoted a lot of my life to the WNBA,” Holly Rowe said. “It is nice for people to recognize that and appreciate the work that you’ve put in.”
Although she appreciated the recognition from USA Network for her contribution to women’s basketball, it did not make missing the game any easier. When asked about her college football assignment, Rowe became emotional and openly admitted that she wanted to be somewhere else.
“I wish I could swap those assignments,” she said, before adding, “But it’s going to be incredible.”
Rowe also praised fellow reporter Meghan McKeown, who covered the WNBA Finals from the sidelines in her place. “Meghan McKeown is on the sidelines. She’s crushing it,” Rowe said. “I’m so proud of her. But it is hard; you feel disconnected in a way. You’ve poured so much love and sweat equity into this product.”
There was also a practical reason why ESPN could not send her to both events. Georgia and Florida played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the WNBA Finals Game 7 started at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center in San Francisco. The distance between the two cities made covering both assignments impossible.
Holly Rowe covers Georgia vs. Florida as Golden State Valkyries make WNBA historyWhile Rowe was busy with college football duties, the Golden State Valkyries were making history in San Francisco. They defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7, winning the series 4-3 and claiming their first WNBA championship in just their second season.
Angel Reese also made history during the Finals, finishing the series with 90 rebounds and breaking Sylvia Fowles’ previous record of 75.
Meanwhile, Rowe worked alongside Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit during the Georgia vs. Florida game. Georgia won 27-8, and Rowe interviewed head coach Kirby Smart after the game.
Her absence was especially noticeable given her long connection with women’s basketball. Rowe joined ESPN full-time in 1998 and has covered several sports, including college football, basketball and volleyball. Her work has also earned major recognition, including the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Mel Greenberg National Media Award in 2022 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award in 2023.
She has also continued working while dealing with Stage IV metastatic melanoma, which she was diagnosed with in 2015. Despite missing this year’s historic championship game, Rowe remains under a multi-year ESPN contract and is expected to return to WNBA coverage in 2027.
Holly Rowe opens up about missing the historic WNBA finals game 7Speaking with Suzy Shuster on October 30, a day before the championship game, Rowe explained why missing the WNBA Finals meant so much to her. She revealed that it was the first Finals she had missed in around 22 years, making the situation particularly difficult.
“This is my first finals that I have not been working in like 22 years, so I’ve really devoted a lot of my life to the WNBA,” Holly Rowe said. “It is nice for people to recognize that and appreciate the work that you’ve put in.”
Although she appreciated the recognition from USA Network for her contribution to women’s basketball, it did not make missing the game any easier. When asked about her college football assignment, Rowe became emotional and openly admitted that she wanted to be somewhere else.
“I wish I could swap those assignments,” she said, before adding, “But it’s going to be incredible.”
Rowe also praised fellow reporter Meghan McKeown, who covered the WNBA Finals from the sidelines in her place. “Meghan McKeown is on the sidelines. She’s crushing it,” Rowe said. “I’m so proud of her. But it is hard; you feel disconnected in a way. You’ve poured so much love and sweat equity into this product.”
There was also a practical reason why ESPN could not send her to both events. Georgia and Florida played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 3:30 p.m. ET, while the WNBA Finals Game 7 started at 8 p.m. ET at Chase Center in San Francisco. The distance between the two cities made covering both assignments impossible.
Holly Rowe covers Georgia vs. Florida as Golden State Valkyries make WNBA historyWhile Rowe was busy with college football duties, the Golden State Valkyries were making history in San Francisco. They defeated the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in Game 7, winning the series 4-3 and claiming their first WNBA championship in just their second season.
Angel Reese also made history during the Finals, finishing the series with 90 rebounds and breaking Sylvia Fowles’ previous record of 75.
Meanwhile, Rowe worked alongside Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit during the Georgia vs. Florida game. Georgia won 27-8, and Rowe interviewed head coach Kirby Smart after the game.
Her absence was especially noticeable given her long connection with women’s basketball. Rowe joined ESPN full-time in 1998 and has covered several sports, including college football, basketball and volleyball. Her work has also earned major recognition, including the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Mel Greenberg National Media Award in 2022 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award in 2023.
She has also continued working while dealing with Stage IV metastatic melanoma, which she was diagnosed with in 2015. Despite missing this year’s historic championship game, Rowe remains under a multi-year ESPN contract and is expected to return to WNBA coverage in 2027.
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