Rosen's family, of Jewish descent, migrated from Germany to Brooklyn, New York, when he was just two. Growing up as a New York Yankees fan, he was inspired by broadcaster Mel Allen, which fueled his passion for sports commentary. He attended Stuyvesant High School and the City College of New York, where he actively participated in baseball, basketball, and track events.
Rosen's broadcasting career is storied and diverse. He started as a studio host for New York Rangers broadcasts before taking over as the lead play-by-play announcer in 1984. His partnership with John Davidson, starting in 1986, became the longest-serving NHL broadcast team, lasting two decades. Since the 2006-07 NHL season, Rosen has worked alongside Joe Micheletti. He's also known for his unique and enthusiastic call whenever the Rangers score a power play goal.
Rosen’s voice became iconic during the Rangers' pursuit of the Stanley Cup in 1994, with memorable calls during crucial moments, including Stéphane Matteau's game-winning goal and the team's ultimate victory. Celebrating thirty years of service with MSG Network in 2014, a special program titled "This One Will Last a Lifetime: 30 Years of Sam Rosen" was dedicated to him.
Aside from hockey, Rosen has a rich history in broadcasting across various sports. Before joining the Rangers, he served as a studio host for New York Knicks basketball telecasts on MSG and worked for United Press International's radio network. His tenure at ESPN spanned nearly a decade, during which he covered a wide array of sports. Rosen has also been a familiar voice in NFL broadcasting, contributing to Fox's Sunday NFL games and serving as a play-by-play announcer for several teams' preseason games.
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