Naoko Funayama

Who is Naoko Funayama?

Naoko Funayama is a Japanese American sportscaster who has most recently served as a rinkside reporter for Boston Bruins games on New England Sports Network.

A graduate of the Boston University College of Communication, Funayama got her start at Adelphia Cable 10 in Frederick, Maryland. In August 2004 she joined WMUR-TV as a sports reporter, producer and anchor.

Funayama joined NESN as a freelance Red Sox reporter in April 2007. In her first year with NESN, she covered Red Sox pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima. Funayama captured the attention of NESN after she helped Matsuzaka's struggling translator during Matsuzaka's introductory press conference.

Funayama joined NESN full-time in September 2008 as the Bruins in-game reporter and host of "The Buzz", a Bruins countdown show formerly hosted by Hazel Mae.

In June 2013 NESN announced that they would not renew Naoko Funayama's contract. She was replaced by Jamie Erdahl.

In September 2013 Funayama presented the Hockey Legacy Award to former Boston Bruin Derek Sanderson.