Ron Futrell Biography: Las Vegas Sports Reporter & KLAS-TV Anchor
Ron Futrell is a seasoned American sports anchor and reporter, currently working with KLAS-TV (8 News Now) in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has been working in local television news and radio for over four decades.
His broadcasting career began in the early 1980s in Salt Lake City at KSXX radio and KTVX TV. He then worked at KNDO TV in Yakima, WA, covering both sports and news.
Futrell arrived in Las Vegas in April 1984. He worked at KTNV TV (Channel 13) for over 24 years before joining KLAS-TV in 2016.
Throughout his career, Futrell has covered a wide array of major sporting events, including:
- The Hagler/Hearns fight (1985)
- UNLV Basketball’s National Championship
- Super Bowls
- World Series
- NHL Finals
- NBA Championships
- NASCAR racing
- Boxing matches
He has interviewed numerous notable sports figures and has become a well-known and respected voice in Las Vegas sports journalism.
Controversies
- 2008 Incident: Futrell was arrested on July 25, 2008, for a hit-and-run car accident on Interstate 15 in Las Vegas, facing misdemeanor charges including unsafe lane change, hit-and-run with property damage, and obstructing a police officer.
He reported sustaining a concussion and claimed he was unaware of the need to stop, as he believed the incident was minor.
KTNV-TV terminated him shortly after, citing “serious misconduct.” Futrell spent several hours in jail and was released on his own recognizance.
Age:
Ron Futrell was born on August 22, making him a Leo. He is White and holds American nationality.
Parents and Siblings:
Ron Futrell was born on August 22 (circa 1956–1957, based on 2008 reports) in the United States and graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with a bachelor’s degree, likely influencing his sports journalism career that began in Utah in 1979.
Details about his upbringing, parents, and siblings are scarce, as he keeps his personal life private, with no public information available about his early years, hometown, or family background beyond his wife Kathy and four children.
Wife:
Ron Futrell is married to Kathy Futrell, and together they have four children. However, details about his family life, including his children’s names and personal backgrounds, are not widely publicized.
Height, Weight:
Ron Futrell stands around 5’10” to 6’0″ and weighs approximately 170-200 lbs, based on media appearances.
Career and Background:
Ron Futrell began his broadcasting career in 1975 at KSAK Radio in Walnut, California. He then worked at KSXX Radio and KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 1979 to 1982.
From 1982 to 1984, he served at KNDO-TV in Yakima, Washington. In 1984, he joined KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he worked until 2008. Since 2016, he has been with KLAS-TV (CBS) in Las Vegas.
Throughout his career, Ron has covered major sporting events, including Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, NHL Finals, and NCAA Championships.
He is particularly noted for his coverage of UNLV basketball during its peak years and hosted Jerry Tarkanian’s TV shows for a decade.
In addition to his broadcasting work, Ron is a proud graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he also served as a journalism professor, pioneering the teaching of sports broadcasting classes at the university.
Early Career
KSAK Radio (Walnut, CA) – 1975
Ron Futrell began his broadcasting career at KSAK Radio, a station in Walnut, California.
This experience introduced him to the world of radio journalism, where he honed his communication skills and developed a passion for sports reporting.
KSXX Radio (Salt Lake City, UT) – 1979-1981
Futrell transitioned to KSXX Radio in Salt Lake City, where he expanded his portfolio by covering regional sports events and refining his on-air presence. His work at KSXX laid the foundation for his later transition into television.
KTVX-TV (ABC – Salt Lake City, UT) – 1979-1982
At KTVX-TV, Futrell made his television debut as a sports reporter, gaining valuable experience in broadcast journalism. He covered local sports teams, collegiate athletics, and major sporting events, showcasing his ability to deliver engaging reports.
KNDO-TV (NBC – Yakima, WA) – 1982-1984
Moving to KNDO-TV in Yakima, Washington, Futrell worked as both a sports and news anchor, demonstrating versatility in journalism. His time at KNDO allowed him to refine his reporting skills, preparing him for a bigger stage.
Las Vegas Broadcasting Career
KTNV-TV (ABC – Las Vegas, NV) – 1984-2008
In 1984, Futrell joined KTNV-TV, marking the start of his Las Vegas career. Over 24 years, he became one of the most recognizable sports journalists in the region. He reported on major sporting events, including:
- Super Bowls
- NBA Finals
- World Series
- Stanley Cup Finals
- NCAA Championships
He also played a crucial role in covering the rise of UNLV basketball, particularly during the 1990 National Championship era.
KLAS-TV (CBS – Las Vegas, NV) – 2016-Present
After a brief hiatus, Futrell joined KLAS-TV in 2016, where he continues to work as a sports anchor and reporter. His coverage includes:
- Las Vegas Golden Knights hockey
- Boxing & MMA events in Vegas
- NASCAR races at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Las Vegas Raiders coverage
With KLAS-TV, Futrell remains an integral voice in Las Vegas sports journalism, recognized for his deep knowledge and engaging reporting style.
Notable Coverage & Contributions
- Covered Stanley Cup Finals, Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, and NCAA Championships.
- Reported on major Las Vegas sporting events, including boxing, MMA, NASCAR, and the rise of UNLV basketball.
- Hosted the Jerry Tarkanian TV show for 10 years, providing deep insights into one of the most remarkable college basketball teams.
- Journalism professor at University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he was the first to teach Sports Broadcasting classes.
- Covered legendary moments such as:
- Hagler/Hearns fight (1985) at Caesars Palace.
- UNLV Runnin’ Rebels’ National Championship win (1990).
- Vegas Golden Knights’ inaugural season success (2017-18).
Awards and Recognitions:
Ron Futrell has not publicly received major journalism awards, and he humorously notes that he is a “proud winner of ZERO Emmy awards”.
However, his four-decade career in sports broadcasting has earned him recognition and respect in the industry, particularly for his coverage of Las Vegas sports, including Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and UNLV basketball.
Ron Futrell has worked alongside several notable journalists throughout his career. Some of his colleagues at KLAS-TV and in the Las Vegas journalism community include:
- Chris Maathuis – Sports director at KLAS-TV, covering major sporting events in Las Vegas.
- Kevin Bollinger – Sports anchor at FOX5 Las Vegas, known for his in-depth coverage of local teams.
- Brian Loftus – News anchor at KLAS-TV, contributing to Las Vegas news and sports coverage.
- Randy Howe – Former sports anchor at KTNV-TV, worked alongside Futrell during his tenure.
- Nate Tannenbaum – Veteran Las Vegas broadcaster, known for his work in news and weather reporting.
- Ron Kantowski – Longtime sports columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, covering major sports stories.
- Tony Cordasco – Las Vegas sports radio host, specializing in local and national sports coverage.
Net Worth and Salary:
Ron Futrell’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $5 million, based on publicly available sources.
His salary as a sports reporter at KLAS-TV is not officially disclosed, but experienced journalists in similar roles typically earn between $50,000 and $100,000 per year.
Is Ron Futrell Married?
Yes, Ron Futrell is married to Kathy. Limited details are available about their marriage, but they have four children together.
How Old Is Ron Futrell?
Ron Futrell was born around 1956–1957 (August 22), making him approximately 68 or 69 years old as of 2025.
Where Is Ron Futrell Working?
Ron Futrell is currently a sports reporter at KLAS-TV (CBS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
His role involves covering major sporting events, including Las Vegas Raiders football, Vegas Golden Knights hockey, boxing, MMA, NASCAR, and other regional sports.
Ron Futrell is active on several social media platforms, where he shares updates related to his work as a sports journalist, personal interests, and behind-the-scenes content from Las Vegas.
Instagram: @ron_futrell
Ron shares a mix of personal moments, sports coverage, and lifestyle content. His posts include behind-the-scenes glimpses from his reporting assignments and personal interests.Facebook: Ron Futrell Personal Profile
This profile features a combination of personal posts, photos, and interactions with friends and followers.
These platforms provide a window into Ron’s professional endeavors and personal interests, reflecting his active engagement with his audience.
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