The TV broadcaster for the Philadelphia 76ers and Seattle Seahawks discussed her long journey and process behind becoming the first female announcer in Madden video game history.
In the 36-year history of the iconic Madden video game franchise, there has never been a female play-by-play broadcaster—until now.
Kate Scott, the TV voice of the Philadelphia 76ers, Seattle Seahawks, and international soccer, joined EA Sports for Madden 25 and will lead one of three distinct announcer teams that will be seen and heard around the world when the new game is released on Friday.
Back in 2022, EA Sports knew it wanted to revamp the game in a major way. Part of that process included auditioning broadcast talent to bring new, fresh voices and perspectives to the table. In addition to the incumbent team of Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis, Madden hired two additional teams: Mike Tirico and Greg Olsen, and Scott and Brock Huard.
“It’s not like they wanted a chick or anything like that,” Scott told Boardroom at an EA Sports media event in Orlando back in May. “Obviously, they went one direction with Mike and Greg, and then they were looking for something fresh and different. There were a ton of people who auditioned. I know a lot of them, and obviously, they liked something they heard.”
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Following an extensive audition process that summer that included rounds where Scott tried out on her own and then tested with multiple prospective analysts, she began recording for this year’s game in December 2022. She knew EA wanted to make extensive changes for this year’s version, and installed a meticulous recording process. That included many monotonous days reading off of a script to capture every potential in-game parameter gamers may encounter, including every superstar like Patrick Mahomes down to the most obscure backups in countless formations and scenarios. She also’s the voice of franchise mode, ultimate team mode, and the annual scouting combine. As of May, Scott recorded a whopping 120 hours of audio, some on her own and some with her broadcast partner Huard.
Scott credited the Madden team for being flexible in recording around her Sixers schedule. A producer, editor, and scriptwriter Zoom-ing with her for each session, which will continue through the summer with a new rookie class and game updates. If she worked an intense overtime basketball game the night before, EA would give her less intense lines to preserve her for the long run.
“I have been blown away by the level of caution and care they’ve had with my voice,” Scott said, “knowing that it’s my instrument and that we’re hoping that I’m in the game for a long time. So we have to take care of it.”
Scott certainly acknowledges, understands, and embraces the significance of being Madden‘s first-ever female play-by-play voice. While she said her line before every recording session is “try not to suck,” she finds confidence in knowing that she was hired for what EA Sports saw in her as a broadcaster, rather than the company merely checking a box. She loves how the company pushes her to be even greater.
“To be the first woman, calling this an honor and a privilege would be an understatement,” she said. “All of us who follow this game know that women have made up at least half, if not more, of the NFL fan base for years. Our sisters, moms, and wives, they love football. We love football as much as guys do. So to now be a small part of the greatest football video game, it’s really special. And I hope this inspires young women to love this game and know they can love it just as much as their brothers, husbands, and dads even if we may look and sound a little bit different.”
Seann Graddy, the vice president and executive producer of EA Sports‘ North American football division, simply saw Scott as a rising star in sports broadcasting.
“We love what she’s doing with the 76ers and it was important to us to bring a diverse voice to the game,” he told Boardroom. “As the first female commentary voice to call an NFL game on the radio, she came with the expertise and authenticity we were looking for. It’s been a perfect fit.”
While she’s spoken with fellow Madden rookie Tirico about preparing for their new roles, Scott said she can’t get lost in how other people broadcast games, whether IRL or in the digital, pixilated world of video games. They hired her, after all, not some other announcer, as a voice of Madden 25. And knowing she’s had that support from day one has positively impacted her work.
This winter, Scott will finally cease recording for this year’s version of the game and start working on Madden 26, beginning the process anew with a deserved sense of confidence and accomplishment.
“Letting me know that I earned this and I belong here has meant the world to me,” she said.
Now it’s time for the world to find out why Kate Scott merited her pioneering position.
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