Who Is Bob Ryan? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Bob Ryan, the esteemed American sportswriter, was born on February 21, 1946. In 2025, Bob Ryan is 79 years old and continues to be a prominent figure in the sports journalism industry. With a celebrated career spanning several decades, he has gained recognition for his insightful commentary on sports, particularly basketball. Ryan spent over 40 years with The Boston Globe, contributing significantly to the sports section and establishing his reputation as one of the best sportswriters in the field.
| Occupation | Writers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 21, 1946 |
| Age | 79 Years |
| Birth Place | Trenton, New Jersey |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Jersey |
Popularity
Bob Ryan's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
At 79 years old, Bob Ryan stands approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm) and weighs about 180 pounds (82 kg). While many may focus on his impressive career, what often goes unnoticed are his distinctive physical attributes that complement his vibrant personality.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Bob Ryan is known to be married. He has maintained a long-lasting relationship with his wife, who has supported him throughout his illustrious career. While there is little publicly available information regarding Bob's dating history prior to his marriage, he is often known to keep his family life private, focusing on his career and contributions to sports journalism.
In the fall of 1969, a vacancy on the Celtics beat of The Boston Globe was created, and Ryan got the job. Ryan was hired by the paper's morning sports editor Francis Rosa. While covering the Celtics, Ryan developed a close relationship with the Celtics organization. Ryan would even go out to dinner with the team.
Ryan sat at the press table eight seats from the Celtics' bench, where colleagues referred to him as the "Commissioner", not unlike Peter Gammons's nickname. Boston Sports Media critic Bruce Allen has said, "His passion is not faked."
Net Worth and Salary
As a well-respected sportswriter and commentator, Bob Ryan's net worth is estimated to be around $4 million in 2025. His income sources primarily include his salary from journalism, speaking engagements, and various media appearances. While the specifics of his salary remain undisclosed, industry standards for experienced sportswriters indicate that it has been substantial, reflecting his established prominence in the field.
Career, Business, and Investments
Bob Ryan's career is nothing short of illustrious. After joining The Boston Globe in 1968, Ryan quickly became a voice for sports in New England. He has covered multiple Olympic games, the NBA Finals, and written extensively about the Boston Celtics, among other topics. Aside from journalism, Bob has also partaken in various speaking engagements and has authored several books on sports, further solidifying his reputation.
In his later years, Bob has dived into broadcasting, appearing as a commentator on ESPN and other networks. His insights and analyses continue to enrich sports discussions, gathering audiences both young and old. Known for his business acumen, he has made smart investments, particularly in sports-related ventures.
On February 14, 2012, during a podcast with Bill Simmons on Grantland.com, Ryan announced that he would retire after the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Said Ryan, "I really and truly believe that my time has come and gone; that the dynamics of the business, of what it takes, what it means to be involved in the sports business with all the Tweeting and the blogging and all the stuff, and an audience with a different taste - it's not me anymore.
I'm not comfortable." Ryan indicated that he would stay involved with sports in a part-time capacity after retirement, but is not interested in continuing at the pace he does now. Ryan's last day as a Red Sox reporter was July 16, 2012.
Social Network
Bob Ryan remains a recognizable figure on social media, actively engaging with fans and followers. Although specific follower counts may vary in 2025, his presence on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook allows him to share his thoughts on current sports events and maintain connections with his audience. Fans appreciate his candid takes and years of experience, adding a personal touch to the athlete sports writers.
In Tom Heinsohn's book Give 'em the Hook, Heinsohn is negative towards Ryan. Ryan, who began writing for the Globe in Heinsohn's rookie season as a coach, would make friends with the players and vent their feelings towards Heinsohn, their fans, and their teammates, claims Heinsohn. Heinsohn didn't like how he didn't feel in control of his team.
Heinsohn believes that Ryan started to "think of himself as another member of the family" and that he even started coaching the team through his beat stories. Heinsohn goes on to talk about Ryan's bloated ego and the fact that he was then thinking of himself as a basketball guru.
Heinsohn also says while noting disapproval of Ryan that at the time anyone who lived in Boston and even remotely followed basketball read Ryan's columns. In recent years Ryan has been less critical of Celtics coaches, including Doc Rivers, of whom he said, "I'm a Doc guy."
Education
Bob Ryan graduated from Boston College, where he honed his skills in journalism. His education provided him with the foundational knowledge necessary for his future career, and it remains a topic of pride for him. Ryan's commitment to sports journalism is heavily rooted in his educational background, which served as a launching pad for his illustrious career.
Robert P. Ryan (born February 21, 1946) is an American sportswriter, formerly with The Boston Globe, and author. He has been described as "the quintessential American sportswriter" and a basketball guru, and is well known for his coverage of the sport including his famous stories covering the Boston Celtics in the 1970s.
After graduating from Boston College, Ryan started as a sports intern for the Globe on the same day as Peter Gammons, and later worked with other notable Globe sportswriters Will McDonough and Leigh Montville. In early 2012, Ryan announced his retirement from sports writing after 44 years, effective at the conclusion of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
His final column in the Globe was published August 12, 2012.
