Jonathan Rifkind, Play-by-Play Broadcaster

I’ve been surrounded by sports my entire life. From my first swings at three years old to my brief “peak” as an eighth-grade all-star, competition was always part of the fabric. But my true calling emerged in high school, when I shadowed Clippers broadcast legend Ralph Lawler. That experience sparked a deeper interest in storytelling and led me to found the sports broadcasting club at Oak Park High School, where I called football, basketball, volleyball, and softball. Those early reps taught me the fundamentals of preparation, pacing, and connecting with an audience.

 

At the University of Oregon, I joined KWVA 88.1 FM as a freshman and immersed myself in every opportunity available. I called nearly every sport the university offered, hosted live talk shows, and helped build the broadcast infrastructure for nearby Bushnell University. That work resulted in a local radio contract and created a lasting pipeline of on-air opportunities for student broadcasters. During the summers, I served as the voice of the Conejo Oaks in the California Collegiate League, establishing a broadcast foundation from the ground up that continued well beyond my tenure.

 

After graduating, I returned to Southern California and began freelancing across radio, television, and digital platforms. I got my introduction to professional sports radio working on the award-winning Darren Smith Show in San Diego, gaining early experience as both a producer and on-air contributor. Since then, my on-air work has expanded across multiple levels and platforms.

 

Today, I call television play-by-play for the San Diego Clippers of the NBA G League and serve as the radio voice of Ventura County FC. I am also the play-by-play voice of Cal State Fullerton Men’s Basketball. In addition, I call Division I college soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball, and water polo.

 

I can be regularly heard in drive-time on iHeartMedia’s San Diego Sports 760 and across the iHeartRadio app, contributing across live broadcasts, fill-in roles, and studio programming.

 

Sports broadcasting is more than a career for me. It is a front-row seat to moments that matter, a responsibility to honor the athletes and communities involved, and an opportunity to connect fans to the emotion of the game.The job, to me, is about earning trust. From the preparation to the call itself, I take pride in being ready, respecting the game, and doing right by the people listening or watching.