Zain Bando: The Multifaceted Sports Journalist Making Waves in the Big Ten and Beyond
Zain Bando, a versatile freelance writer for The Sporting News, brings extensive expertise to collegiate athletics, particularly within the Big Ten Conference. A proud alumnus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Bando has spent years covering sports beats related to Illinois, Northwestern, and Kansas State Athletics.
Beyond collegiate reporting, Bando has carved a niche in the world of mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing, contributing to MMA Knockout on Sports Illustrated. He engages audiences not just through his written work but also by hosting two popular podcasts, "Bando’s Breakdowns" and "The MMA Outsiders." These shows, part of the Empty The Bench Podcast Network, air weekly on YouTube and various podcast platforms, offering in-depth analyses and discussions from Bando’s sharp perspective.
Hailing from the Chicago suburbs, Bando’s professional accomplishments include affiliations with respected organizations such as the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). He has been a prolific writer since June 2019, with his byline appearing in multiple media outlets, including MSN, Yardbarker, Deadspin, and Reuters, among others.
In his downtime, Bando remains immersed in sports culture, often rewatching classic UFC bouts and spending quality time with family and friends. He also has an impressive knack for memorizing every Super Bowl while dreaming of future travel adventures—all while staying connected to his work through his laptop.
As Bando continues to hone his craft, his unwavering dedication to sports journalism and media ensures he remains a prominent voice in the industry.
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