Jon Root
Through his athletic career and entertaining at some of the highest levels throughout his life, Jon Root always knew without a doubt, he would have a career in sports and entertainment. His contagious personality, unrivaled work ethic and vast sports knowledge, has led to great success in the industry. In 2016, Jon was one of the youngest hosts in major professional sports and established himself as a fan favorite and well-known face in the San Francisco Bay Area as the San Jose Sharks and Santa Cruz Warriors in-arena host/digital reporter. Jon built himself up as a sought-after actor in the area as well as the host and producer of the most viewed video series in Sharks history, "Off Days". Currently, due to the over-politicization of the sports industry and our society, Jon Root was called to join Turning Point USA as a contributor - hosting multiple shows including: Breakaway (non-woke sports talk and conversation) and TPUSA LIVE (political news & entertainment show live every weekday).
Ever since he was in grade school, Jon has been a part of highly competitive, elite athletics, traveling across the country for tournaments and events. He spent two years on one of the best AAU basketball programs in Northern California (Lakeshow), while lettering and serving as captain as a three-sport athlete (football, basketball & track & field) in high school. He helped lead both his basketball and football teams to multiple league titles, two section championship game appearances while receiving all-league selections before taking his football career to the NCAA Division II level at Azusa Pacific University. Not only was he an athlete but Jon was also an entertainer, broadcaster and host in college. During this time, you could also see Jon hosting school-wide rallies as well as broadcasting baseball, basketball, volleyball and water polo games throughout the year on radio and the on-campus news station.
At Azusa Pacific University, Jon studied media communications and journalism. While attending APU, Jon was a member of the football team, leader/founder of the university's student section (APU The ZU), writer and contributor for APU Athletics website and social channels. He also served as a play-by-play broadcaster for the APU Sports Information department along with the on-campus news station, APU Capture.
Jon also worked for two different news stations during the summer months while he was an undergraduate. First, he worked for KCRA 3 - Sacramento as an assistant to the head sports anchor and then for Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (now NBC Sports Bay Area/California) as a newsroom/marketing assistant. This is where he honed his on-camera skills and learned from some of the best in the industry.
A month before graduation in April of 2015, an opportunity was presented to be the in-game host for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes - minor league affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. This provided Jon with the perfect combination of sports and entertainment he was looking for while gaining on-camera experience that would prove to be extremely valuable as a host/reporter. Jon worked with the mascots, corporate sponsorship and marketing departments throughout the season to create theme nights and promotional events. While working for the Quakes, Jon hosted the 2015 MiLB High-A All-Star game held in Rancho Cucamonga.
After a successful season where the Quakes won the California League Championship, Jon's passion for sports and entertainment was at an all-time high. He thrived in an atmosphere where he could express his sports knowledge while entertaining thousands of fans through his energetic, contagious personality.
In September 2015, Jon was hired to be the first-ever in-arena host for the San Jose Barracuda, the American Hockey League affiliate of the San Jose Sharks. Jon served as the hype man/rinkside reporter, interviewing players during intermissions, performing skits with the mascot and promotional contests throughout the game. His unique personality and professionalism led to a promotion on the major professional level faster than almost anyone in the industry. Sharks management took notice of Jon's success and shortly after the NHL All-Star break, he was promoted to in-arena host for the Sharks in his first season with the organization. For the remainder of the 2015-16 season, Jon served as in-arena host/reporter for both the Sharks and Barracuda where he hosted games and reported at various team events during a season where the Sharks made their first-ever Stanley Cup Final appearance.
Jon is a sports and entertainment media professional who spent five years as the the in-arena/digital reporter for the San Jose Sharks (NHL). He hosted/produced content for the Santa Cruz Warriors (NBA G-League) as well as staying involved in the entertainment industry as an accomplished commercial actor.
Currently, Jon Root is a Turning Point USA Contributor, producer, and the daily host of TPUSA LIVE from TPUSA HQ, as well as the first-ever conservative weekly sports show: “Breakaway.” Jon is unfiltered and unashamed to give you the conservative side of sports that mainstream sports media won’t provide – doing that in a unique, genuine and energetic way.
He has always been a strong conservative who has been well-versed in politics and culture while being well-grounded in his faith. Jon hopes to create an outlet for conversations, stories and topics you don’t see or hear anywhere else especially in the sports media industry.
Jon also believes that sports bring people together unlike anything else, which is why he enjoys entertaining and putting smiles on fan's faces from all over the world. He understands that this incredible career can only be coined as a blessing. Sports and entertainment will always be a huge part of his uptempo, fun-loving, active lifestyle. He is always looking to take his career to the next level while continuing to work with major brands, teams and networks.
photos by Brandon Magnus, Jeff Cable and Emily Sizemore