David Pingalore Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Kids, Salary, KTLA
Whether he’s dropping an exclusive LeBron-James-to-Cleveland scoop or teeing it up with Arnold Palmer, veteran sports anchor David “Ping” Pingalore has delivered breaking news with a golfer’s swagger for 29 years. Now the face of KTLA 5 Sports in Los Angeles, the 55-year-old is eyeing national podcast expansion and Hall-of-Fame chatter in 2025.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | david pingalore |
| Nickname | “Ping” (since Little League) |
| Profession | Sports Anchor / Reporter / NBA Insider |
| Birth Date | July 1970 |
| Age (2025) | 55 |
| Birth Place | Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | KTLA 5, WKMG Orlando, LeBron scoop, Blue Angels ride |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac | Cancer |
| Height | 5′ 10″ (178 cm) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Hair | Brown (greying) |
| Eyes | Hazel |
| Education | B.A. Broadcast Journalism, Jacksonville University (1995) |
| Religion | Christian |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Children | 2 (son & daughter) |
| Hobbies | Single-digit handicap golfer, craft beer collector, marathon runner |
| Years Active | 1990–present |
| Net Worth 2025 | ≈ $1.2 million (salary + endorsements + podcast) |
Early Life & Education
Born in Ohio and raised on golf courses and Browns games, Ping chose Jacksonville University because it launched the same year as the Jacksonville Jaguars (1995) and offered a new broadcast program. He called Dolphins baseball on the campus radio station and graduated cum laude, ready for the minors of TV news.
Career Journey
1990-1996 – Small-Market Grinder
- Johnstown & Scranton, PA: one-man-band reporter shooting Friday-night football in freezing rain.
- Cleveland: covered Indians’ 1995 World Series run; first live stand-up at Jacobs Field.
1997-2007 – Orlando Magic & Dwight Era
- Hired as sports reporter, WKMG (CBS 6); promoted to Sports Director for 10 years.
- Broke story that Dwight Howard wanted Stan Van Gundy fired—altered Magic history.
- Covered 4 Super Bowls, 2 NBA Finals, Daytona 500, Final Fours.
2008-2025 – KTLA 5 & National Stage
- Joined KTLA 5 News Los Angeles as weekend sports anchor; now lead sports anchor weeknights.
- March 2024: first to report LeBron James trade talks ahead of deadline—clip viewed 4 M+ times.
- June 2024: interviewed by NBA TV on Jerry West legacy segment.
- 2025: developing national podcast with iHeartMedia; guest spots on Fox Sports Radio.
Personal Life
- Marriage: Wed college sweetheart Lisa in 1998; they live in South Bay, LA with two teenagers and rescue Lab Bogey.
- Golf: Single-digit handicap; played nine holes with Arnold Palmer at La Quinta—still calls it his “biggest thrill.”
- Fitness: Completed 10 L.A. Marathons; raises money for Ronald McDonald House.
Awards & Achievements
- Emmy Award – Best Sports Reporting (2018)
- Associated Press – Best Sportscast (2015, 2019)
- Society of Professional Journalists – Sigma Delta Chi Award finalist (2020)
- U.S. Navy Blue Angels passenger flight (2001) – rare media seat
- Silver Circle nomination NATAS – 2025 (pending announcement)
Physical Statistics
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Height | 5′ 10″ (178 cm) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Chest | 42 in |
| Waist | 34 in |
| Shoe | 10.5 US |
| Hair | Brown (salt-and-pepper) |
| Eyes | Hazel |
Quotes
“I don’t break stories from press releases—I break them from relationships.”
“Golf taught me patience; deadlines taught me speed.”
“LeBron rumors? I’ll stand by my source until the buzzer sounds.”
Controversies
- Dwight-Howard-coach rift leak (2011) – some Magic execs froze him out, but story proved accurate.
- LeBron trade tweet (2024) – Lakers fans blasted him; later admitted “trade talks were real, just didn’t cross finish line.”
Favorites
| Category | Choice |
|---|---|
| Golf Course | Pelican Hill (CA) & Bay Hill (FL) |
| NFL Team | Cleveland Browns (long-suffering) |
| Craft Beer | Cigar City Jai Alai IPA |
| Sneaker | Nike Air Max 1 “Master” |
| Interview | Arnold Palmer, 9 holes, 2012 |
| Movie | Caddyshack (quotes it on air) |
Salary & Net Worth 2025
- KTLA base salary: ≈ $220 k
- Podcast + appearance fees: $45 k
- Golf sponsorships (local brands): $30 k
- Real estate: owns 3-bed Manhattan Beach townhouse (est. $2.1 M, mortgage $600 k)
- Estimated Net Worth: $1.2 million (2025)
Interesting Facts
- Nickname “Ping” came from aluminum bat ping in Little League—stuck ever since.
- YouTube channel has 154 subs—posts courtside rants and 19th-hole golf tips.
- Ran with Olympic torch ahead of Atlanta ’96 as local media torch-bearer.
- Owns every Air Max 1 colorway—closet looks like a Nike museum.
- Once broadcast a sportscast entirely in Portuguese for heritage night—zero teleprompter.
Social Media Links
| Twitter / X | @DavidPingalore | 21 k |
| @davidpingalore | 8 k | |
| DavidPingaloreKTLA | 11 k | |
| David Pingalore | 2 k | |
| KTLA Bio | ktla.com/author/david-pingalore | — |
FAQs
Q1: Did David Pingalore really fly with the Blue Angels?
A: Yes—he took a back-seat F/A-18 ride in 2001 and still calls it “the fastest four minutes of my life.”
Q2: How accurate was his LeBron trade scoop?
A: Conversations happened, but the Lakers kept LeBron past the 2024 deadline; Ping stands by his source.
Q3: What is Pingalore’s golf handicap?
A: Single-digit (7)—he plays charity tournaments most weekends.
Q4: Where did he work before KTLA?
A: WKMG (CBS Orlando) as sports director for 10 years, plus stops in Cleveland, Johnstown & Scranton.
Q5: Is he related to anyone famous?
A: No Hollywood lineage—just a regular Ohio kid who hustled into major-market sports TV.
Conclusion
From freezing Friday-night lights in Pennsylvania to scoops on the NBA’s biggest star, David “Ping” Pingalore has stayed relevant by mixing old-school shoe-leather reporting with new-school social swagger. As he eyes a national podcast launch and possible NATAS Silver Circle honor, one thing is clear: the “Ping” brand is only getting louder.
Enjoyed the read? Share this bio with the sports-nut in your life—and tag @DavidPingalore to say hello from the 19th hole!
