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Zain Bando on Muck Rack

Zain Bando

Verified
(He/Him)
Champaign, Chicago, Downers Grove
As seen in: Medium, FanNation, Sports Illustrated, FanSided, Men's Journal, Sporting News Canada, Sporting News, WGN-TV (Chicago, IL), The News-Gazette (Champaign, IL), Writing Illini
Covers:  College, professional, and combat sports.
Doesn't Cover: Politics, News, Religion, etc.
Sports Writer | @sportingnews | RM Big Ten Writer & Editor | @UFCKnockout | @FieldLevelMedia UFC writer | 🎙️@bandosbreakdown podcast host | ILL/NU 🎓

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Zain Bando’s Biography

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Zain Bando is a freelance journalist whose byline appears in various outlets, including The Sporting News, On Sports Illustrated and Field Level Media.

Outside of writing, Bando is a co-host on "The MMA Outsiders," part of the Empty the Bench Podcast Network, and contributes weekly to ETB's "Football Friday" show during the NFL season.

Bando also has experience in TV production, serving as a Fox Box Operator at Big Ten Network. He is a two-time Big Ten alumnus., completing his Bachelor's and Ma…

Zain Bando’s Journalist Portfolio

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UFC Heading to England For First Time Since 2016

UFC Heading to England For First Time Since 2016

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Devin Haney pitches shutout, wins WBC super lightweight title | BJPenn.com

Devin Haney pitches shutout, wins WBC super lightweight title | BJPenn.com

Devin Haney outboxed Regis Prograis to win the WBC super lightweight title at the Chase Center in San Francis…

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Bret Bielema Calls Out Big Ten Officials for Missed Defensive Holding: "Complete Bull----"

Bret Bielema Calls Out Big Ten Officials for Missed Defensive Holding: "Complete Bull----"

Third-year Illinois coach Bret Bielema sounded off after Illinois' season-ending loss to Northwestern Saturda…

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Wild Student Protest During USC-California Game Causes Major Delay

Wild Student Protest During USC-California Game Causes Major Delay

A Pac-12 tilt was invaded by protesters in Berkley amid a teacher protest.

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Eddie Hearn wants to see Joshua vs. Ngannou: "Absolutely massive" | BJPenn.com

Eddie Hearn wants to see Joshua vs. Ngannou: "Absolutely massive" | BJPenn.com

Eddie Hearn gave his thoughts on Francis Ngannou's performance against Tyson Fury while speaking to Ariel Hel…

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Are Bears making a big mistake with preseason plan for Justin Fields?

Are Bears making a big mistake with preseason plan for Justin Fields?

Justin Fields will plan to see playing time in the Bears' first preseason game, even if it means risking inju…

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Articles

Ryan Day sent grim reminder regarding status of 'The Game' series in viral tweet

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By Zain Bando Verified
| Sporting News Verified
In team sports, striving for perfection is nearly impossible, much less making every pundit, fan, or non-believer happy. Over the weekend, Ohio State released its championship football rings, which added unique detail when the team added a cross to represent faith and unity amongst one another. While the reception of the rings was met with positive feedback from the players and coaches, including Buckeyes coach Ryan Day, not everyone was amused by how the jewelry was portrayed.
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Bret Bielema, Illinois dealt huge blow as Citrus Bowl MVP enters transfer portal

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By Zain Bando Verified
| Sporting News Verified
Zain Bando • Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images Fresh off its best season since 2001, the Illinois football team was sent shockwaves Tuesday afternoon when On3's Hayes Fawcett reported running back mainstay Josh McCray, an Alabama native, is set to enter the transfer portal. The news comes nearly two weeks after McCray was highly complimentary of how far his ceiling had risen during his time in Champaign over the last few seasons.
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Will Howard predicted to potentially replace 37-year-old Super Bowl-winning QB for NFC team

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By Zain Bando Verified
| Sporting News Verified
Will Howard is three months removed winning a national title for Ohio State in his final collegiate game. With the NFL draft nearly a week away, predictions are already beginning to roll in about where the Kansas State transfer might end up. According to ESPN's Mel Kiper, one team to watch out for with a potential need for Howard is the Los Angeles Rams, who may begin to build for the future once their current quarterback, Matthew Stafford, retires from the NFL whenever the time comes.
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Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

FanSided MMA writer

Have you ever used a typewriter?

Nope

How is social media changing news?

Everything is instant and it’s crucial to stop and think about if the person who is reporting something is verified, etc