One day after working the Texas-Baylor men’s college basketball game, ESPN reporter Holly Rowe is going in for surgery to have a tumor removed, her second such surgery in the past nine months.
“In May, I had a tumor in my chest removed and I have recently learned that there is a new tumor, which needs to be removed via surgery today,” said Rowe. “In the coming days, I will know more about what potential additional steps I may take to address this situation… I hope to be back at work soon doing what gives me so much joy in life.”
Rowe has been a longtime staffer with ESPN, having been with the network since 1998, covering a wide swatch of sports from college football, men’s and women’s’ college basketball, softball, the NBA and WNBA. Her diagnosis comes a little more than a year after another ESPN reporter, Shelley Smith, underwent treatment for breast cancer. Rowe added that she “sincerely appreciates the guidance” from Smith, who is now cancer-free and returned to work last April.
“Every time I run into Holly Rowe at a game, it is a delight. It is also a display of professionalism, teamwork and work ethic,” added ESPN president John Skipper. “She is admired and respected by her colleagues at ESPN and her peers throughout the industry. We all wish Holly and her loved ones well in this effort. We know how strong she is, we are with her and we look forward to her return.”