Life & Work with Michael Yam of Rolling Hills Estates

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Yam.

Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from the East Coast and graduated from Fordham University. I was very fortunate to get my first “real” on-air job after I graduated at Sirius Radio. It was a tremendous opportunity because I was able to work on the all-sports channel hosting a daily three-hour show as well as doing three hours on NBA radio. The radio experience helped me land my first TV job at NBA-TV. After a few years there, I auditioned at ESPN where I was eventually hired. I spent four years in Bristol doing everything from NBA, college basketball and football shows as well as Sportscenter. When the opportunity to be the lead host at Pac-12 Network presented itself, it was a no-brainer to move to San Francisco for that job. I spent almost ten years in the Bay, but when Covid hit, the network decided to make dramatic cuts, and I was left looking for another opportunity. I was blessed to land at NFL Network, which is where I’ve been since 2020. I’m currently hosting NFL Total Access. To say it’s been a wild ride is an understatement.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I reflect back on my career path, I don’t think you’ll find a luckier sportscaster than me. I have had countless mentors and bosses who took a genuine interest in me. I always felt indebted to anyone who gave me an opportunity – I didn’t want to let them down. However, 2020 was the most challenging of my professional years. After being at Pac-12 Network from its inception, it was hard to be told a contract extension was coming only to be let go. The experience was particularly difficult because a big part of my identity was intertwined with that network. During Covid, we all were watching news coverage wondering when life would return to normal. Aside from my family’s health, my biggest concern was whether I would get another opportunity to be on air. There was a period of time where I wrestled with the idea that my run as a broadcaster might be over. I started to think about life after broadcasting, but it was always so hard for me to let go. I spent most of my time that year reaching out to anyone I ever worked with and writing my first children’s book Fried Rice and Marinara. I struggle if I’m not working on something, and I made looking for work and writing that book my job.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The majority of my professional career has been as a studio host. I have always loved talking about sports, and when I was in college, I caught the on-air bug. To get the opportunity to talk about the NFL every day on Total Access is in many ways a dream come true. The privilege of having this opportunity isn’t lost on me. One of the projects I’m most proud of is Fried Rice and Marinara. During the course of my career, I have been fortunate to speak to students about a path in broadcasting. I have always been disheartened by the lack of Asian representation in media classes.

Aside from cultural factors, I believe the lack of widespread representation at high levels of sportscasting is a major reason why Asian American students are picking other career paths. Strengthening the pipeline is one of the ways I think this changes. If young kids can see themselves in stories, I think it can spark an interest in storytelling. It’s one of the many reasons why I wanted to write Fried Rice and Marinara.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Over time I think we all learn from past experiences, and they shape our future actions. I’m a huge believer in trying to create a positive atmosphere. The way people feel when they are around us holds real importance. I think one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves is “What impact I can have today?” We’re interacting all day with individuals, and it’s easy to forget the effect, both positive and negative, we can have on those around us.

I spent most of my life thinking success followed a linear upward trajectory. I’ve reshaped how I think about success. I don’t think it’s a vertical line up; it’s actually a bubble. It’s about the positive impact we have in the sphere of people around us.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Mike_Yam
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/MikeYam.P12
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-yam-24686396/
• Twitter: @Mike_Yam
• Other: https://beacons.ai/mike_yam