A Spartan finds success entertaining Detroit sports fans

Breaking into professional sports broadcasting is no easy feat — but becoming the first female color analyst for the Detroit Red Wings? That’s history-making. For Daniella Bruce, a 2016 graduate of Michigan State University’s School of Journalism, it’s one of many milestones in a career defined by training, talent and Spartans Will.

Today, Bruce, a metro Detroit native, provides expert radio and TV commentary and play-by-play insights for Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers games, bringing together the things she loves most: sports, being part of a team, a high-energy environment and storytelling. 

“Giving fans information and storylines that allow them to feel connected to their favorite teams is very important to me,” says Bruce. “I hope that for a couple of hours every day, fans can enjoy our broadcasts and watch their favorite teams.”

From MSU classrooms to major league broadcasts

Bruce was introduced to the tools to start her sports broadcasting career in MSU’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and she was well prepared to enter the field when she graduated. “I landed two big internships during my time at MSU,” she says about the real-world experiences she absorbed as a student. She cut her teeth at HOMTV in Okemos first, moving on to a semester-long production internship at ESPN headquarters. 

MSU also sparked meaningful relationships and helped Bruce build her network. One moment stands out: hearing from Detroit Tigers radio legend Dan Dickerson during a sports journalism class taught by longtime instructor and Sports Journalism program leader Lori Anne Dickerson. Meeting the longtime voice for the Tigers dispelled the doubts Bruce was having at the time. “I was wondering if I was heading down the right path,” she recalls. “He said: ‘You have a great voice for this. Keep putting in the work, and you’ll have a bright future.’”

Bruce’s time at MSU not only laid the foundation of her career but also shaped her sense of identity. “Being a Spartan is being a part of a community,” she says. “Not just in your time at Michigan State, but for life.” Seven years later, she joined Dan Dickerson in the booth as a radio reporter for the Detroit Tigers for two seasons before making the jump to TV. 

Taking her shot and making it count

In the summer of 2017, Little Caesars Arena was gearing up to open in downtown Detroit. Bruce landed three auditions for the role of arena host and team reporter for the Detroit Red Wings. She didn’t end up getting the job, but she did make an impression. “This turned out to be one of the best ‘Noes’ I’ve ever heard,” she says. Instead, they wanted to hire Bruce in another capacity. “I was brought on to host their in-game pregame and intermission show. From there, my career continued to grow.” She adds: “With a lot of hard work, some good timing and a little bit of luck.”

Using skills like shooting and editing video that she learned at MSU, coupled with production experience, Bruce also started hosting digital streaming shows and creating social media content.

In 2022, she advanced to the broadcast reporter role on Red Wings radio broadcasts alongside play-by-play announcer Ken Kal and color analyst Paul Woods. Today, Bruce is a TV broadcast reporter for the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers. She hosts all livestreamed events — straight from the stands — and creates digital content in addition to other broadcast duties. “Being versatile opens up so many doors,” she says. “It wasn’t always easy, and I heard a lot of noes along the way, but I always knew the right opportunity would soon present itself. I am an example of the old cliché ‘everything happens for a reason.’”

The feeling of purposeful connection — to people, to MSU, to Michigan — is fundamental to Bruce, who is grateful to be able to live her dream right in her hometown. “I love Michigan, I love the city of Detroit and could not be happier that I get to continue to call it home.”