Ken Rodriguez is an Emmy Award-winning American sportscaster best known for his nearly 30-year career at FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA-TV). Recognized for his energetic reporting style, engaging personality, and deep passion for sports, Rodriguez became one of Atlanta’s most beloved television sports anchors before retiring in June 2021 after more than four decades in broadcasting.
Throughout his distinguished career, Rodriguez covered some of the biggest sporting events in the world, including multiple Super Bowls, World Series, NCAA championships, NASCAR races, and PGA tournaments. Beyond traditional sports reporting, he became known for his willingness to participate in adventurous assignments, flying with the Blue Angels, bungee jumping from a hot-air balloon, rappelling down buildings for charity, and even scuba diving to report on an underwater story. These memorable features helped make him one of the most recognizable sports personalities in Georgia.
Rodriguez retired from FOX 5 on June 23, 2021, ending a remarkable television career that inspired generations of sports journalists and earned him a place among Atlanta broadcasting legends.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Ken Rodriguez |
| Profession | Retired Sports Anchor, Television Journalist |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Hispanic-American |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Current Status | Retired |
| Former Employer | FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA-TV) |
| Position | Sports Anchor |
| Years Active | Over 40 years |
| Retirement | June 23, 2021 |
Early Life and Family
Ken Rodriguez was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, where his love for sports developed at an early age. Growing up in one of the South’s most passionate sports cities, he became deeply involved in athletics and broadcasting long before entering television professionally.
Although Rodriguez is well known professionally, he has always maintained a relatively private family life. He has not publicly disclosed detailed information about his parents or siblings, choosing instead to focus public attention on his work rather than his personal background. Despite this privacy, he has frequently spoken about his appreciation for the support he received from family throughout his broadcasting career.
Education
Ken attended McEachern High School in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he excelled in football and earned All-Metro honors. His athletic ability earned him a football scholarship to Furman University, where he continued playing before later transferring and graduating from Georgia State University.
His achievements have continued to be recognized long after graduation. Rodriguez was inducted into the McEachern High School Athletic Hall of Fame and later into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Southeast Chapter, honoring his lifetime contributions to television broadcasting.
Broadcasting Career
Ken’s broadcasting career began while he was still in college at WAEC Radio in Atlanta, where he hosted a Spanish-language program serving the city’s growing Hispanic community. He later worked with WCNN Radio, CNN Sports, and the Atlanta Hawks Radio Network, gaining valuable experience before moving into television.
His career eventually took him to television stations in:
- Lansing, Michigan
- Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Montgomery, Alabama
- Houston, Texas
- Miami, Florida
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Los Angeles, California
These experiences helped him develop into one of the country’s most versatile sports broadcasters before ultimately returning home to Atlanta.
FOX 5 Atlanta Career
Ken joined FOX 5 Atlanta (WAGA-TV) and became the station’s signature sports anchor. After a brief stint with FOX Sports Net Regional News, he returned to FOX 5, where he anchored sports on the station’s 6 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m. newscasts.
During nearly three decades at FOX 5, Rodriguez covered virtually every major sporting event involving Atlanta teams and many of the world’s biggest competitions.
His reporting included coverage of:
- Super Bowls
- World Series
- NCAA Championships
- Atlanta Falcons
- Atlanta Braves
- Atlanta Hawks
- Georgia Bulldogs football
- NASCAR
- PGA Tour events
- High school football across Georgia
Perhaps his most beloved contribution was “High 5 Sports Is IN YOUR FACE!”, FOX 5’s immensely popular Friday night high school football segment. The feature celebrated local teams, marching bands, cheerleaders, and communities with Rodriguez’s trademark enthusiasm and humor. It became a weekly tradition for many Georgia families during football season.
Memorable Reporting Moments
Ken distinguished himself by going far beyond conventional sports reporting.
Among his most memorable assignments:
- Flew with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels
- Bungee-jumped from a hot-air balloon
- Rappelled down buildings to raise awareness for Special Olympics Georgia
- Learned scuba diving to report on divers feeding six-foot barracudas
- Stood beneath Atlanta Hawks star Josh Smith during a spectacular slam dunk demonstration
These adventurous reports showcased his willingness to immerse himself in stories, making sports coverage entertaining and relatable for viewers.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Ken Rodriguez received numerous professional honors. Among them:
- Multiple Emmy Awards for sports reporting
- Emmy-winning coverage of the Peachtree Road Race
- Emmy-winning FOX 5 Pit Pass
- Emmy-winning First Pitch specials
- Emmy-winning FOX 5 Fifth Quarter
- National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Silver Circle Inductee
- Recognition from the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the National Football Foundation
- Recognition from the Cobb County Schools Foundation
These awards reflect his outstanding contributions to sports journalism and community broadcasting.
Ken Rodriguez Retirement
In May 2021, Ken announced that he would retire after nearly 30 years at FOX 5 and more than 40 years in broadcasting. His final broadcast aired on June 23, 2021.
In announcing his retirement, Rodriguez thanked viewers and colleagues for allowing him to live his dream of covering sports in his hometown. He also joked that retirement would bring “grandfatherhood, neglected hobbies, and an intimidating honey-do list.”
Ken Rodriguez Age
Although many biography websites speculate about his age, Ken has never publicly disclosed his full birth date or birth year. As a result, his exact age cannot be verified through official public sources.
Ken Rodriguez Wife
Ken Rodriguez is married to Jeanne Rodriguez, his longtime high school sweetheart. According to FOX 5, the couple began dating while attending high school and have remained together throughout Ken’s broadcasting career. Their marriage has often been cited as one of the enduring relationships in Atlanta television.
Ken Rodriguez Children
Ken and Jeanne are parents of two children. While Rodriguez has occasionally mentioned his family on air, he has deliberately kept his children out of the public spotlight, preferring to protect their privacy.
Ken Rodriguez Family
Although Ken frequently expressed gratitude for his family’s support, he has not publicly revealed the identities of his parents or siblings.
His wife and children have remained the most visible part of his personal life, and he often credited them for supporting him through the demanding schedule of television sports broadcasting.
Ken Rodriguez Height
Ken Rodriguez stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters) tall. While FOX 5 never officially published his measurements, this estimate appears consistently across multiple biography sources.
Ken Rodriguez Salary
FOX 5 Atlanta has never publicly disclosed Rodriguez’s salary. Based on industry estimates during his tenure, his annual earnings were estimated to range between $40,000 and $110,500, though his compensation as a longtime lead sports anchor may have exceeded these published estimates. No official salary figures have been released.
Ken Rodriguez Net Worth
After more than four decades in broadcasting, Ken Rodriguez accumulated substantial professional success. His estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million, primarily through:
- Television broadcasting
- Sports anchoring
- Public appearances
- Speaking engagements
Because Rodriguez has never publicly disclosed his finances, these figures should be viewed as informed estimates rather than verified amounts.
Interesting Facts
- Ken spent nearly 30 years at FOX 5 Atlanta.
- He covered numerous Super Bowls and World Series.
- He hosted the iconic High 5 Sports Is IN YOUR FACE! high school football segment.
- He flew with the Blue Angels and completed several adventurous reporting assignments.
- He retired on June 23, 2021, after more than four decades in broadcasting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ken Rodriguez?
Ken Rodriguez is a retired Emmy Award-winning sports anchor best known for his nearly 30-year career at FOX 5 Atlanta, where he anchored weeknight sports broadcasts.
Is Ken Rodriguez married?
Yes. He is married to Jeanne Rodriguez, his high school sweetheart. They have been together for decades and have two children.
How old is Ken Rodriguez?
His exact age is not publicly known, as he has not disclosed his birth date or birth year.
Why did Ken Rodriguez retire?
Ken retired in June 2021 after a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years in broadcasting, saying he looked forward to spending more time with family, enjoying grandfatherhood, and pursuing personal interests.
What is Ken Rodriguez’s net worth?
His estimated net worth ranges between $1 million and $5 million, based on his long broadcasting career.