Twelve-time Emmy award winner Raj Mathai is the weeknight news anchor for NBC Bay Area. Raj anchors the nightly 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 11 p.m. News and is among the Bay Area's most well-known journalists.
Raj interviews high profile newsmakers including Vice President Kamala Harris, Governor Gavin Newsom, General Colin Powell, baseball legend Barry Bonds, 49ers owner Jed York and many more. He also field anchors NBC Bay Area’s breaking news and big event coverage including the 2020 Super Bowl in Miami, 2019 Gilroy mass shooting and 2017 Inauguration of Donald Trump.
He joined KNTV in 1998 as Sports Director and transitioned to primary news anchor in 2011.
He has reported on-location from the Olympics in London, Vancouver, Turin, Athens, Salt Lake City and Tokyo.
Raj is among the handful of people in the world to have run the Olympic Torch three times (1996, 2002 and 2008). He was part of the Giants broadcast team (2008-2012) with Jon Miller and Mike Krukow during NBC Bay Area telecasts of the Giants.
Raj grew up on the Peninsula and attended Los Altos High School. He went on to graduate from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and political science. Before arriving at NBC Bay Area, he worked for NBC stations in Fresno, San Diego, and Arizona.
In 1995, Raj became the country's first Indian sportscaster. Prior to his career in television, he served as a public relations assistant for the San Diego Chargers for five seasons.
Raj is on the Board of Governors for the San Francisco Symphony and Board of Directors for the Asian Pacific Fund. He and his family contribute to various Bay Area charities.
Raj is a regular guest instructor at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Raj was born in Trivandrum, India.
Follow Raj on Instagram @rajmathai, TikTok @rajmathai, X @rajmathai and Facebook.
The Latest
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A closer look: What is an aortic tear?
Dr. Joseph Woo, a Stanford surgeon, joins Raj Mathai to discuss Sen. Lindsey Graham’s cause of death.
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World Cup watch parties wind down in San Jose's San Pedro Square in Team USA loss to Belgium
San Jose’s San Pedro Square was once again the center of attention Monday as crowds gathered to watch the United States take on Belgium in a World Cup knockout match. Kickoff for the Round of 16 clash in Seattle was set for 5 p.m. Belgium triumphed over the USA 4-1 and will now meet Spain in the quarterfinals as the…
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Dusty Baker, decade-long Giants manager, sits down with Raj Mathai and opens up
The legendary baseball player explores his extraordinary career, shares childhood memories and lessons on how to live life on and off the field.
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Dusty Baker, decade-long Giants manager, sits down with Raj Mathai and opens up
The legendary baseball player explores his extraordinary career, shares childhood memories and lessons on how to live life on and off the field.
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Hall of Famer Chris Wondolowski on what makes the World Cup special
NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai went one on one with Bay Area soccer legend Chris “Wondo” Wondolowski.
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Exclusive: Cain Velasquez sits down for first TV interview since release from prison
Former UFC champion Cain Velasquez sat down with NBC Bay Area for his first television interview since serving time in prison for attempted murder.
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49ers legend Roger Craig elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame, sources say
San Francisco 49ers legend Roger Craig has been elected to the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame, multiple sources tell NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai.
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49ers Dynasty: Legacy of Greatness
NBC Bay Area, home of Super Bowl LX, takes viewers inside the heart of one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises in a half-hour news special.
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One on one with Golden State Warriors guard Pat Spencer
A key contributor for the Golden State Warriors this season has been guard Pat Spencer.
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‘You better enjoy it': Sports writer Art Spander on his hall of fame career
Legendary sports columnist Art Spander has almost seen it all in his more than six decades covering Bay Area athletes.
