Emmanuel Berbari joined Siena Athletics as the "Voice of the Saints" in October 2021.
Berbari predominantly serves as the radio play-by-play broadcaster for Siena Men’s Basketball games airing locally in the Capital Region on ALT 104.9 - Albany's New Alternative, and online at
alt1049albany.com. He also is a host of the Siena Basketball Coaches’ Show, in addition to announcing other Siena Athletics sporting events through the department’s ESPN and Siena All-Access streaming platforms.
Beyond Siena, Berbari serves as a play-by-play broadcaster and postgame show host for WFAN’s coverage of the New York Yankees. He also hosts shows and anchors updates locally on WFAN and nationally on Infinity Sports Network (formerly CBS Sports Radio — joining both as an intern in 2018, working in a variety of capacities behind the scenes, and earning his first on-air opportunity in 2021. He also regularly appears as an on-air contributor to SportsNet New York (SNY). Berbari has called play-by-play for the Yankees High-A affiliate, the Hudson Valley Renegades, and joined Galaxy Media to host “Yankees on Deck,” airing on ESPN Radio affiliates in Syracuse, Utica, and Rome.
“Siena Athletics is excited to introduce Emmanuel Berbari as our new ‘Voice of the Saints,’” said Assistant Athletic Director/Communications Mike Demos upon Berbari's appointment. “Emmanuel is a rising star in the industry, and we’re excited to have him paint the play-by-play picture of the Saints.”
The Greenlawn, New York native joined the Saints after spending the previous three years as the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Fordham University Men’s Basketball, Football, and Baseball. Berbari has also served as the play-by-play voice for the Cape Cod League’s Chatham Anglers, as well as select St. John’s University athletic streams on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app.
“I’m incredibly excited and thankful for the opportunity to join the Siena family and cover so many successful programs,” explained Berbari upon his hiring. “I can’t wait to experience the Siena Basketball tradition, and be able to connect with the passionate Siena fanbase. It will be a privilege to bring the Saints’ story to life.”
Berbari joins the Saints after serving as the sports manager and primary play-by-play broadcaster for the Fordham Rams’ flagship station WFUV 90.7 FM from 2017-21, where he also hosted, anchored updates, and produced New York’s longest-running sports call-in show
One on One. Berbari was a credentialed beat reporter for the New York Yankees, Knicks, and Islanders, the Belmont Stakes, and the U.S. Open, while also broadcasting Fordham Men’s and Women’s Basketball games on ESPN+ during his time on Rose Hill.
Berbari enjoyed a highly decorated career at Fordham, where he was a three-time Marty Glickman Award for Excellence in Play-by-Play recipient (2019-21). He was honored by the New York State Broadcasters Association with a 2021 and 2022 Outstanding Podcast Award for
Off The Air: The Legacy of WFUV Sports, a 2018 Outstanding Sports Coverage Award for
Greatness Justified: The 13th Triple Crown, and a 2018 Outstanding Sportscast Award for
The Ram With Coach Gaitley. Berbari was also recognized by the New York State Associated Press with a 2018 Sports Feature First Place Award for
Greatness Justified: The 13th Triple Crown, and a 2018 Sports Coverage First Place Award for
Heights and Lights with Yankees GM Brian Cashman.
In addition to his work at Fordham, Berbari concurrently served as a play-by-play voice for St. John’s Athletics (2018-21), the America East and East Coast Conferences (2017-21), and the Chatham Anglers (2020-2021). He announced multiple sports for both the Red Storm as well as NYIT Athletics, in addition to NJIT Baseball and Stony Brook Soccer. Berbari served as the play-by-play broadcaster for the ECC Baseball and Atlantic 10 Softball Championships, and coordinated media relations efforts for the Anglers in addition to announcing their games on the Cape Cod Baseball Network. Berbari has also spent time mentoring aspiring sports broadcasters through the Bruce Beck Sports Broadcasting Camp and at Chaminade High School.
A 2021 graduate of Fordham University, Berbari began at WFAN and CBS Sports Radio as a summer intern and joined the part-time staff in Fall 2018, working behind the scenes during his college semesters. He was also previously a production assistant for Westwood One Sports from 2019-20, working on NFL, NHL, and college basketball broadcasts.
What They’re Saying About Emmanuel Berbari
“Every year I’m more and more blown away by the quality of college-level broadcast talent that comes through Fordham’s WFUV Radio – and Emmanuel is without a doubt the station’s newest star pupil. His technical skill and potential as a play-by-play broadcaster and host are surpassed only by his character. I can’t wait to see how far he goes in our industry.”
- Spero Dedes, CBS & Turner Sports
“Emmanuel is a budding star. His talent is off the charts and met with equal humility, work ethic, and kindness. He has all the makings to be the future voice of a major network. I can’t wait to see his journey unfold.”
- Ryan Ruocco, ESPN & Yes Network
“Congratulations, and a big MAAC welcome to Emmanuel Berbari on being named ‘Voice of the Saints.’ I’ve followed Emmanuel’s career during his time at Fordham. Beyond his natural talent, he is incredibly dedicated to the craft, and his love for the game of basketball and other sports he’s covered shines through in his broadcasts. His play-by-play is simply terrific. Much like a star recruit, Siena has landed a special one in Emmanuel Berbari.”
- Ed Cohen, New York Knicks Radio Play-by-Play
“I coached at Siena and I know the importance of Siena Basketball. Emmanuel Berbari will capture the excitement and the details, and will provide a big-time professional broadcast. He is a great broadcaster and an even better person.”
– Tim Capstraw, Brooklyn Nets Radio Analyst, Former Siena Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach
“Emmanuel is a great choice as the new ‘Voice of the Saints!’ He is talented, upbeat, and highly professional. The Siena community is going to love his work.”
- Bob Heussler, WFAN Personality, Fairfield Men’s Basketball Broadcaster
