Day In the Life of Rebecca Lowe: NBC Sports' Studio Host
It’s pretty cool meeting the reason Apple TV’s hit show Ted Lasso was created. When El Dorado Hills-based Rebecca Lowe was recruited to front NBC Sports’ new coverage of English soccer’s Premier League 10 years ago, the network wanted a “huge splash,” recounts Lowe. They commissioned a parody featuring Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso alongside Brendan Hunt as Coach Beard in a short but hilarious film. The rest, as they say, is history, for both Lowe and Lasso.
Lasso was successful but always learning the nuances of the “beautiful game,” while Lowe is the knowledgeable anchor for Premier League. Most weeks you’ll see her discussing the weekend’s games, goals, and controversies with soccer experts and ex-players.
A “day” in Lowe’s life doesn’t really paint the full picture, as her workweek is likely quite different to yours and mine. She lives locally but works in Connecticut, a commute few of us would envy.
Please explain your commute. Why not live in Connecticut?
[My family] used to live in Connecticut but then my husband Paul (Paul Buckle, former professional soccer player and manager) was offered the head coach position at Sacramento Republic FC, so we moved across the country. We love [living in this area] and are very settled, especially since we had our son, Teddy, here.
My workweek really begins on Thursday when we have a call to discuss what’s going to be included in the weekend shows. That evening for me is like most people’s Sunday night: prepping and planning for the workdays ahead, except most people are winding down for the weekend!
Please explain your commute. Why not live in Connecticut?
[My family] used to live in Connecticut but then my husband Paul (Paul Buckle, former professional soccer player and manager) was offered the head coach position at Sacramento Republic FC, so we moved across the country. We love [living in this area] and are very settled, especially since we had our son, Teddy, here.
Rebecca Lowe
Tell us about your workweek.
My workweek really begins on Thursday when we have a call to discuss what’s going to be included in the weekend shows. That evening for me is like most people’s Sunday night: prepping and planning for the workdays ahead, except most people are winding down for the weekend!
On Friday morning, I drop my son off at school—that’s a must for me—and then I’m driven to San Francisco where I catch a flight to Connecticut, the home of NBC Sports where we record Premier League. It’s hard to sleep in my hotel room on Friday night due to the time difference, but it’s a must, considering I’m up Saturday at 3:25 a.m. (ET). I’m in hair and makeup at 4:30 a.m., followed by an hour of rehearsal, and then we go live. It’s a full-on day of live TV. I don’t use a prompter, as the experts and I react to what’s happening in the games, so it’s intense but also great fun!
At the end of the day, I return to my hotel where I can, and must, relax for the next day. It’s difficult being away from my family but having that separation also means I [can] focus on me—go to the gym, get room service, watch Netflix, and prep for Sunday when it starts all over again!
On Sunday night, I fly home and get ready for the school run on Monday morning.
Being so far away, how do you stay up to speed with soccer news?
Monday to Thursday, whether I’m driving or walking the dog, I listen to the UK radio show, talkSport. I don’t necessarily take notes, but I’m hoping that it goes in by a process of osmosis! The researchers at NBC are fantastic, too; they send me pages and pages of research and news clippings, and when I’m being driven to the airport, during the flight, and once in Connecticut, I’m digesting it all, taking notes, and thinking about what might come up.
What’s the biggest challenge of the week?
The biggest challenge for me is trying not to be supermom on Monday morning. I used to book lots of activities to do with Teddy once I was back home, but I’ve learned he just wants to be with me, even if it’s simply taking the dog for a walk. From Monday to Thursday, it’s about making memories with him before going back to work. Logistically, it’s no longer challenging. I’ve been doing the commute for seven years now, so I know the drill.
How are you involved in our local community?
Well, as you might expect—given his parents’ jobs—Teddy plays soccer, so I watch him when it’s the season and I’m around. I love cheering him on! I also work with Street Soccer USA and Street Soccer Sacramento, which spearheaded last summer’s Homeless World Cup and helps young people use soccer to achieve a better life. I once helped with a breakfast and sat next to a lady who had escaped a domestic abuse situation with her children. Soccer helped her find a purpose and regain her self-esteem; she’s now a general manager at a store and provides for her and her family. Soccer did that for her! I love being involved and seeing people come out the other side.
How else do you give back?
I try to support women, as I didn’t get a lot of encouragement on the way up; in fact, quite the opposite. I’ve spent time with California Storm (our region’s most local professional female soccer team), and I mentor three female college graduates who want to do what I do. I really want to help women tread this path.
What’s next on the agenda?
As well as soccer, I’ve also fronted NBC’s coverage of the Olympics since 2014 and next year is no different. Summer 2024 I’ll leave Paul and Teddy and work from Paris for the duration of the Games. Ted Lasso takes on the Olympics, anyone?
Being so far away, how do you stay up to speed with soccer news?
Monday to Thursday, whether I’m driving or walking the dog, I listen to the UK radio show, talkSport. I don’t necessarily take notes, but I’m hoping that it goes in by a process of osmosis! The researchers at NBC are fantastic, too; they send me pages and pages of research and news clippings, and when I’m being driven to the airport, during the flight, and once in Connecticut, I’m digesting it all, taking notes, and thinking about what might come up.
Rebecca Lowe
What’s the biggest challenge of the week?
The biggest challenge for me is trying not to be supermom on Monday morning. I used to book lots of activities to do with Teddy once I was back home, but I’ve learned he just wants to be with me, even if it’s simply taking the dog for a walk. From Monday to Thursday, it’s about making memories with him before going back to work. Logistically, it’s no longer challenging. I’ve been doing the commute for seven years now, so I know the drill.
How are you involved in our local community?
Well, as you might expect—given his parents’ jobs—Teddy plays soccer, so I watch him when it’s the season and I’m around. I love cheering him on! I also work with Street Soccer USA and Street Soccer Sacramento, which spearheaded last summer’s Homeless World Cup and helps young people use soccer to achieve a better life. I once helped with a breakfast and sat next to a lady who had escaped a domestic abuse situation with her children. Soccer helped her find a purpose and regain her self-esteem; she’s now a general manager at a store and provides for her and her family. Soccer did that for her! I love being involved and seeing people come out the other side.
How else do you give back?
I try to support women, as I didn’t get a lot of encouragement on the way up; in fact, quite the opposite. I’ve spent time with California Storm (our region’s most local professional female soccer team), and I mentor three female college graduates who want to do what I do. I really want to help women tread this path.
What’s next on the agenda?
As well as soccer, I’ve also fronted NBC’s coverage of the Olympics since 2014 and next year is no different. Summer 2024 I’ll leave Paul and Teddy and work from Paris for the duration of the Games. Ted Lasso takes on the Olympics, anyone?
LOCAL FAVORITES
Coffee shop
Double Shot Coffee Bar in El Dorado Hills; the people running it are wonderful, and they serve amazing food, including an English breakfast (on their secret menu…shh)!
Double Shot Coffee Bar in El Dorado Hills; the people running it are wonderful, and they serve amazing food, including an English breakfast (on their secret menu…shh)!
Restaurant
Hawks in Granite Bay is perfect for a special occasion, be it a date night, birthday, or anniversary; the food is amazing.
Hawks in Granite Bay is perfect for a special occasion, be it a date night, birthday, or anniversary; the food is amazing.
Outside activity
I love Folsom’s Humbug Willow Creek Trail and going to Folsom Lake with our dog.
I love Folsom’s Humbug Willow Creek Trail and going to Folsom Lake with our dog.
by Caroline Kings
Photos by Nick Casanova from NBC.