"Looks like Doogie Howser, acts like Morley Safer,"
Steve Rushin, Sports Illustrated

"Asks well-articulated questions,"
Michael Smerconish, Philadelphia Daily News

“There’s a decent chance he could end up ruling the world someday.” Bill Simmons, ESPN

At age 23, Graham Bensinger, named to Sports Illustrated’s Top 25 Under 25, is already making his mark in sports.

Most recently, an NBC Sports Correspondent, Bensinger’s career launched with an internet-based sports radio station he developed in 8th grade. In August 2003, Bensinger’s show began airing on Sporting News Radio and a contract with ESPN Radio followed less than one year later. “The Graham Bensinger Show” began airing on SIRIUS Satellite Radio in 2006.

While seemingly a rookie by industry standards, Bensinger’s experience is more like that of a seasoned veteran. His list of interviews range from broadcasting icons Mike Wallace and Bob Costas… to legends Muhammad Ali, Stan Musial, Jim Brown, Dan Marino, and Pete Sampras…to today’s newsmakers including Barry Bonds, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Venus & Serena Williams, Commissioner David Stern, LaDainian Tomlinson, Mark Wahlberg, Adam Sandler, and Rev. Jesse Jackson.

OJ Simpson is one of Bensinger’s high profile sit downs. Simpson granted him rare interviews in February 2004 and again in July 2005. In April 2005 and January 2006, Bensinger interviewed Pete Rose.

In November 2005, Bensinger sat down with Terrell Owens for one hour. Due to Owens’ comments in the interview, the Philadelphia Eagles suspended their star wide receiver for the final nine games of the NFL season.

Bensinger’s interviews have aired on NBC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, ESPNU, & FOX Sports Net. The programs include SportsCenter, Outside the Lines, Sunday NFL Countdown, NFL Primetime, NFL Live, Cold Pizza, & The Best Damn Sports Show Period.

During Summer 2007, Bensinger traveled extensively throughout Asia & Africa. Some visits included Tiananmen Square, Terracotta Warriors, The Great Wall, Kibera Slums, going down in Great White Shark Cages & off the world’s highest bungee jump.

Bensinger is most proud of establishing “The Graham Bensinger Foundation” with his father Scott. It assists funding African relief organizations providing food, education, and health care for indigent children and teenagers.

Other accomplishments include:

• Appeared as a guest on “The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno” and “Late Night w/ Conan O’Brien”

• Appearances on ABC’S Good Morning America, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, Court TV, & Inside Edition

• ESPN.com Regular Contributor (2005 – 2008)

• Conducted ESPN.com’s Interview of The Week “The Weekly Conversation” & “Page 2 Burning Questions” (2006-2008)

• ESPNU Sideline Reporter

•Contributor to Fox Sports’ The Best Damn Sports Show Period (2006)

• Written for Maxim & FHM Magazines

• Super Bowl Correspondent in (2003 – 2009)

• ESPY Awards Correspondent in (2002 – 2009)

• Substitute Host for James Carville on XM Radio

• Broadcast and play-by-play duties in Summer 2004 & 2005 for the Spokane Indians alongside Bob Robertson

• “Time Out w/ Graham Bensinger,” a weekly commentary on News 10 Now in Syracuse (2006 – 2008)

• Recognized by publications including Sports Illustrated, USA Today, LA Times, Philadelphia Enquirer, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Arizona Republic, ESPN.com, & Forbes.com

• Heard on radio programs including The Dan Patrick Show, Mike & Mike in The Morning, The James Brown Show, JT The Brick, The Mike Gallagher Show, The Michael Smerconish Show, & Howard Stern.

When he’s not working in sports, Bensinger enjoys running and mountain climbing. His goal is to scale the highest mountain on each continent. So far, Bensinger has summit Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Rainier as well as 35 other mountains above 14,000 feet.

Bensinger attended Syracuse University and works in television while he continues his radio shows.

Blog Entries by Graham Bensinger

Mark McGwire Needs to Tell the Truth

1 Comments | Posted November 2, 2009 | 12:46 AM (EST)


September 8th, 1998. 8:18pm: Mark McGwire hits a line drive that carries just enough to clear the left field wall. Home Run No. 62, breaking Roger Maris' single season record.

I'll forever remember that moment. Just as I'll remember March 17th, 2005. When the disgraced ex-slugger, only a fraction...

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Scott Dixon Interview -- 2008 Indy 500 Winner/IRL Champ Talks

Posted May 21, 2009 | 07:10 PM (EST)


As the 2009 Indy 500 nears, NBC Sports just recently ran my interview with Scott Dixon. During the hour long conversation, last year's Indianapolis 500 Winner/IRL Champion discusses his 2008 storybook season, the devastating 2007 final lap Championship loss, racing's economic challenges, the burdens of youth, and, most importantly, tipping...

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- Candid Interview

Posted February 12, 2009 | 01:42 AM (EST)


I recently sat down with Dale Earnhardt Jr for a lengthy NBC Sports interview. Junior has been voted NASCAR's most popular driver six straight years and is entering his second season with Hendrick Motorsports. With the Daytona 500 only days away, Junior spoke candidly about topics ranging from the day...

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Discovery's Bear Grylls Interview

Posted February 1, 2009 | 11:47 PM (EST)


By his early 20s, Bear Grylls became the youngest Brit to summit Mount Everest after nearly dying in an army parachute accident. Not exactly the average start to a career, but then again, nothing this adventurer does is common. From the Himalayas to the Arctic Ocean, Grylls has braved some...

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Falcons Owner & Home Depot Founder Speaks

Posted January 3, 2009 | 09:24 PM (EST)


This time last year the Atlanta Falcons organization was embroiled in what seemed to be never ending turmoil. The face of the franchise, Michael Vick, ultimately pleaded guilty to charges related to dog fighting (he is currently serving a 23-month sentence in federal prison). Then, with three games left to...

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Steve Nash Speaks About Trades, Politics, & Playing for NY

Posted December 29, 2008 | 03:51 AM (EST)


I recently spent time in Phoenix with Steve Nash of the Suns.

Nash is a 6'2, white, non-dunking, Canadian. He may be the least physically gifted point guard in the NBA, yet he's a two-time Most Valuable Player. It's a result of relentless determination and being incredibly selfless. Nash...

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Lance Armstrong's Trainer Speaks

Posted December 18, 2008 | 02:14 AM (EST)


After being retired for three years, Lance Armstrong has returned to professional cycling. In July, he'll attempt to break his own record by winning an eighth Tour de France. As Armstrong currently trains for the first scheduled race of his comeback, Australia's Tour Down Under, in January, his longtime trainer...

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Oscar de la Hoya on Fight, Retirement, Boxing Corruption, and Floyd Mayweater

Posted December 5, 2008 | 09:25 PM (EST)


Recently, Oscar de la Hoya sat down with me for a 1 hr 15 min NBC Sports television interview at his gym in Big Bear, CA. The mountain resort, elevation 7500 feet, has been de la Hoya's training grounds for Saturday night's bout. De la Hoya (39-5, 30 knockouts), a...

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HBO's Entourage Creator Doug Ellin Lengthy Interview

Posted December 3, 2008 | 08:59 PM (EST)


With season five now over, HBO's Entourage Creator Doug Ellin recently called in to my radio show for a lengthy interview. From Vince's comeback, to Turtle having sex with Jamie Lynn Sigler, to next season, to Ellin's own run-in with the New Orleans' Police with 10oz of Marijuana in the...

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NFL's Adrian Peterson on His Two Brothers being Killed & His Halle Berry Obsession

Posted December 2, 2008 | 08:43 PM (EST)


Recently, I sat down with the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson for more than an hour long television interview. At only 23-years-old, Peterson is arguably the NFL's best running back. Currently leading the league in rushing, Peterson came into this season after a freshman campaign which included Rookie of the Year...

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Barack Obama's Personal Aide Reggie Love Speaks

Posted December 1, 2008 | 03:31 PM (EST)


Reggie Love's athletic aspirations are on hold.

Long gone are the days captaining Duke basketball and also starring on the football team. And the 26-year-old's NFL dreams are long over, having been cut by the Green Bay Packers and released by the Dallas Cowboys.

Then, rather than accepting a lucrative...

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Jim Brown on Barack Obama, Racism, Muhammad Ali, Hugh Hefner, Football, and Acting

Posted November 24, 2008 | 02:22 PM (EST)


The day after the presidential election, I sat down with Jim Brown for an NBC Sports television interview. Brown is not only the most accomplished football player ever to live, but he's also regarded by one biographer as the most socially significant athlete of the past century.

Upon retiring...

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China Criticism Must Continue

Posted October 9, 2008 | 10:19 PM (EST)


This past week, Chinese gymnastics was vindicated by an investigation into potential wrongdoings.

To be eligible for competition, athletes must turn 16-years-old by the Olympic year. Many accusations surfaced that some Chinese gymnasts in this summer's Olympics were only 14-years-old. They were found to be of age, however, the...

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Man Running Across America to Break World Record

Posted September 25, 2008 | 04:57 PM (EST)


The last time ESPN.com caught up with ultramarathon runner Charlie Engle, he had just finished running across Africa's Sahara Desert with two friends. They ran the equivalent of two marathons per day for 111 straight days. Their concluding mileage totaled nearly 4,500 miles. They often ran in temperatures that exceeded...

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OJ Simpson's Attorney Speaks Out

Posted September 24, 2008 | 02:26 PM (EST)


OJ Simpson is in Las Vegas standing trial after being charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, robbery, assault, and kidnapping with a deadly weapon. As Week No. 2 of testimony is underway, Simpson's Attorney Yale Galanter spoke exclusively with me.

Below are select quotes from the interview. Click...

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ESPN's Stuart Scott Speaks Out About Being Diagnosed with Cancer

Posted September 15, 2008 | 05:58 PM (EST)


As ESPN anchor Stuart Scott boarded an airplane traveling to his Monday Night Football broadcast location, little did he know that his stomach ache would forever change his life. The following day his appendix had to be immediately removed, and days later a doctor told Scott he had cancer. After...

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The Price Of Fame

Posted May 12, 2008 | 04:42 PM (EST)


The price of fame is rising exponentially.

I've spent time at Hollywood nightclubs, even witnessed the ubiquitous paparazzi following Paris and Britney, but attending the Nuggets-Lakers playoff game last week began to make me realize the extent of the craze. I was in Denver with a group that included a...

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