Anatomy of a Broadcaster: Clark Kellogg

“With the 8^th pick in the 1982 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers select, Clark Kellogg, forward from Ohio State.” That announcement got the ball rolling for Kellogg and his professional basketball career.   

He had a standout first season. Selected as a member of the NBA All-Rookie Team, one of only a few rookies to average 20 points and 10 rebounds a game. He was the runner up to Terry Cummings as the NBA Rookie of the year. Kellogg was thought to be the next breakout NBA superstar. Converse signed him to an endorsement deal, to release his own Converse “Special K” sneaker.  

It seemed to be all systems go for the young man from East Cleveland, Ohio. However, chronic knee issues held him to only three full seasons and portions of two others. He was forced to retire from the game he loved so much.  

The personable Kellogg would not be out of the game long, starting a broadcasting career, that has lasted the test of time. It’s gotten him to one of the biggest stages in college sports and he shows no signs of slowing down.  

HIS ROAD TO THE FINAL FOUR 

Just a couple of years after his retirement, he joined ESPN as a basketball analyst. At the same time, he worked for the Big East Network and Prime Sports.  

Kellogg served as a television analyst for Indiana Pacers road games on local (WTTV-TV) and cable (FSN-Indianapolis) television in Indianapolis. 

His big broadcasting break came in 1993 when he served as a game analyst for CBS Sports’ coverage of the NCAA Tournament. He moved to the studio side from 1994 to 1997, where he would co-host for the early round coverage of the tournament.  

In 1997 CBS hired Kellogg full-time as a studio/game analyst for college basketball coverage. He was one of three in-studio hosts for March Madness along with Greg Gumbel and Sports Illustrated’s Seth Davis.  

In 2008, Kellogg had the daunting task of replacing Billy Packer as CBS’ lead basketball game analyst. He called the 2009 NCAA men’s basketball championship with Jim Nantz. He also worked games at the beginning of the season with Verne Lundquist when Nantz was on other CBS Sports duties.  

In 2014, Kellogg returned to his previous role as a studio analyst. Greg Anthony who was in the studio as an analyst took over as the lead in-game commentator.  

Kellogg’s hard work in media has paid off. He was recently named the winner the Curt Gowdy Media Award. The recognition of the award will take place along with the 2025 Basketball Hall of Fame class during the weekend of September 5^th and 6^th. 

WHY IS HE SO GOOD?

Kellogg is packed with credibility. Having played at a high level in college at Ohio State, then bursting on the scene in an albeit too short NBA career, he knows the game.  

Kellogg’s role in the CBS studio during the NCAA Tournament is usually more of a serious analyst. He provides the basketball insight and knowledge of the teams that are playing. His expertise is needed on the desk, because his Inside the NBA colleagues, understandably are not as familiar with the college game and players. Kellogg plays the straight man well, laughing when one of his teammates, Kenny Smith, Shaquille O’Neal or Charles Barkley says something remotely funny.  

Last year during a Sweet 16 halftime show, Kellogg showed a different side. Not that he doesn’t have it in him, a funny side.  

Duke played Houston and the Blue Devils had a slim 23-22 at the half. It was a tight, low-scoring game. To demonstrate that point, Kellogg, with a smile coming to his face, used a simile that illustrated the closeness of the game. 

“You know what that’s like, Ernie?” Kellogg asked co-host Ernie Johnson.  “The score, that tight. It’s like me in one of those airplane bathrooms — trying to figure out how to make it happen.” 

“Thanks for the imagery,” Johnson replied, while everyone else laughed. 

“Let me write that down,” said Smith. “To never use that analogy.” 

Kellogg fits in with the guys from Inside the NBA well. They already have chemistry from their years of working together. Kellogg’s ability to pick and choose his spots makes him the perfect guy to sit in the chair with that crew.  

Barkley of course is the wildcard in the group. You never know what you might get. Sometimes Sir Charles may in fact step out of line, by saying something outlandish. Kellogg seems to have a ‘paternal’ relationship with Barkley, that allows him to convey a message with just a look.  

 “I kind of just look over there at him — and he kind of knows if he stepped out of the line, but I’m going to accept him with love and grace regardless of when he colors outside the lines, as we’re all inclined to do; me included.” Kellogg told The Dan Patrick Show last year.  

Kellogg and Barkley are only a year apart in age, and even though they are unique personalities, both accept the other.  

“We’ve established a mutual friendship and relationship around what we do as analysts now,” he told Patrick. 

That’s the kind of comradery that’s needed on the set. Panelists need to let each other be themselves to make the telecast look and feel real.  

Kellogg can play the game well, and is a versatile member of the panel. He can play the father figure, professor and kid all in the same halftime show. Kellogg is a valuable member of the crew and is very good at what he does.  

DID YOU KNOW? 

Kellogg is a busy man during Final Four weekend. He does double-duty serving as a studio analyst for CBS Sports and Turner Sports television coverage and as the lead analyst for the game broadcast on Westwood One. Immediately following the pregame show broadcast on the TV set, Kellogg makes his way courtside to the Westwood One radio broadcast. Then rejoins TV for halftime, before repeating the process in the second half and postgame. 

In March 2010, Kellogg played a game of H.O.R.S.E. against U.S. President Barack Obama. The game, called “P.O.T.U.S.” for the occasion, was won by Obama, who had P.O.T.U. to Kellogg’s P.O.T.U.S.  

He is known for using the phrase “spurtability” as a reference to a team’s ability to score points in quick succession. 

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