Jones makes a name for himself in sports broadcasting

Tyler Jones, sports broadcaster and NFL host, is paving his way in the sports industry with his unique perspectives and commitment to storytelling.

Jones currently hosts and analyzes for Chat Sports, covering two NFL powerhouses, the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs, on Seahawks Today and Chiefs Report.

He also contributes as a writer and on-air host for NDNsports.com, the largest Native American sports site in the United States.

With over a decade of sports coverage under his belt, Jones has reported on everything from NFL playoffs to other major sporting events like the Daytona 500, PGA Championship, and several Final Fours, working with major networks like ESPN and Peacock.

Jones’s love for sports started at a young age, but he realized early on that playing in the NFL wasn’t in the cards for him.

However, he turned that passion into a successful career behind the microphone. “It seemed like a natural fit for me to still talk about sports and stay in the game,” Jones shared.

His broadcasting journey began in his hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, when he started calling games for his high school’s streaming network. “It kind of just all took off from there. I found my career and found something I was passionate about.”

After high school, Jones attended Haskell Indian Nations University before attending the University of Kansas. During his college years, his passion for broadcasting continued to grow as he hosted a full-time morning show and became involved with the Native American Basketball Invitational (NABI) in Phoenix, Arizona, where he has been a play-by-play announcer for the past four years.

Jones volunteers his free time to tell the stories of Native American athletes, a cause close to his heart.

Jones credits his Choctaw heritage for some of his success.

Attending Haskell Indian Nations University opened doors for him, both professionally and personally. “I will always be thankful that door opened to get me to Haskell and allow me to find more about my background, where I come from, but also use that as a platform to tell other people’s stories from there,” he said.

The representation of Native Americans in the media is something Jones is deeply passionate about.

He believes the presence of Native voices is growing, thanks in part to organizations like the Native American Journalists Association and individuals like his friend Eric Bailey, a sports journalist with the Tulsa World.

Jones believes the increase in Native representation in media is not only inspiring but also critical in making sure Native stories are heard. “It’s pretty inspiring, and I think that it does a lot for our people. Get that message out there, who we are, and that we’re still around — we’re not going anywhere.”

For young Native American athletes, Jones advises finding a passion outside of sports. Whether it’s something you went to school for, or a hobby picked up along the way, he encourages chasing it wholeheartedly. “Find that thing and go after it,” Jones said.

For those aspiring to enter the world of sports broadcasting, his advice is clear: “Don’t turn down any opportunity, big or small. If you got an opportunity to write, to broadcast, or whatever it may be, take advantage of every chance you get because you don’t know what doors those are going to lead to… And don’t be afraid of failure.”

Jones also urges aspiring broadcasters to take risks and embrace challenges, advising them to learn from every experience.

“Maybe you’re not that great of a broadcaster, maybe you’re not that great of a writer, and that’s okay. Figure out what you’re good at, what you’re not good at, what you enjoy doing, and make the most of it.”

While Tyler Jones is known for his sports broadcasting, he hopes to leave a legacy that goes beyond his career.

His work with the Native American Basketball Invitational, where his broadcasts have connected athletes with opportunities for college scholarships, is a prime example of the difference he hopes to make. “I want to be that guy that is a difference maker… He told my kid’s story. He provided a way for us to see my kid play their game that we wouldn’t see otherwise,” said Jones.

At the end of the day, Tyler wants to be remembered not just as “a guy with a microphone” but as someone who made a positive impact on his community and used his platform to tell important stories.

“Who is Tyler Jones? If not, just a guy with a microphone, but what is he doing to make a positive impact in his community? That’s how I want to be remembered.”

You can follow Tyler Jones on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram @tylerjoneslive, or tune in to his podcast, The Jones Report, available on all major streaming platforms.