Bill Raftery

Two-Time Emmy Award-Winning Sports Analyst & Commentator

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New Jersey, USA
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Bill Raftery Biography

Legendary, two-time Emmy Award-winning sports analyst and commentator Bill Raftery has covered basketball on television and radio for CBS, Fox Sports and ESPN for over three decades. Raftery’s colorful commentary has brought new life to the NCAA Tournament and Final Four, the Big East Championship, the Big Ten Championship, and the New Jersey Nets telecasts, among many other premier events, and he is beloved for his signature catchphrases such as “with a kiss,” “onions!” and “a little nickel-dimer.” An inductee into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame, he is known to combine keen analysis and opinion with unsurpassed enthusiasm for the game.

Earlier in his career, Raftery served as head basketball coach at Seton Hall University, where he is credited with revitalizing the program and leading the Pirates to seven straight winning series. He guided the team to four ECAC postseason tournaments and two National Invitation Tournament appearances. Raftery also served as president of the BIG EAST Coaches Association from 1979-81. Prior to his time at Seton Hall, Raftery coached five years at Fairleigh Dickinson, earning Coach of the Year honors from the New Jersey Basketball Writers Association in his final season with the program.

A standout on the court as well as in the broadcast booth, Raftery played three seasons at LaSalle under legendary coach Donald “Dudley” Moore. During the 1959-60 season, he set a freshman scoring record with 370 points. The next year, he led the varsity team with 17.8 points per game, and in his senior season, he co-captained the Explorers to the National Invitational Tournament. Following his senior campaign, he was drafted by the New York Knicks.

Raftery has won three Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Sports Personality – Sports Event Analyst, in 2015, 2016 and 2018. In 2004, he received a special Victor Sports Award and the Walter Payton ‘Sweetness’ Award in recognition of his outstanding work in the community throughout his lifetime. He also won the New York Sports Emmy Award in the category of Single Event Coverage for Game 5 of the New Jersey Nets vs. Indiana Pacers series during the 2002 NBA Playoffs.

Raftery earned a degree in history from LaSalle and a master’s in education from Seton Hall. He was given an Honorary Doctorate from LaSalle in 2001.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 08/17/2024.

Bill Raftery Videos

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  • What topics does Bill Raftery speak about?

    Bill Raftery is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Athlete, Basketball, Sports, Sports Coaching.
  • Where does Bill Raftery travel from?

    Bill Raftery generally travels from New Jersey, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Bill Raftery is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Bill Raftery for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Bill Raftery generally travels from NJ, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Kevin McHale, Roy Williams, Digger Phelps, Cheryl Miller and Kevin Harlan. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bill Raftery for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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