The Truth About Melanie Collins' 'Husband': 5 Key Facts About James Neal's Age, NHL Career, And Relationship Status

The widespread search for "Melanie Collins husband age" is based on a common misconception: the prominent CBS Sports NFL sideline reporter is not, in fact, married. As of today, December 13, 2025, Melanie Collins is in a long-term, committed relationship with her partner, former NHL star James Neal, a relationship that has spanned over a decade. This article cuts through the rumors to provide the definitive, most up-to-date details on both Melanie Collins's career, her relationship status, and the current age of her long-term partner.

The curiosity surrounding Collins’s personal life is a testament to her rising profile as one of the most visible and respected female sports journalists in the industry, often seen reporting alongside broadcast veterans like Kevin Harlan and Trent Green. While she keeps her private life relatively discreet, the facts about her partner and their life together are readily available, clarifying the popular "husband" search query.

Melanie Collins: Biography and Professional Profile

Melanie Collins has built a formidable career that spans over a decade in sports and entertainment journalism, establishing herself as a versatile and high-profile reporter for major networks. Her work primarily focuses on the National Football League (NFL), but her background is far more extensive.

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• Full Name: Melanie Collins
• Date of Birth: February 6, 1986
• Current Age (as of December 13, 2025): 39 years old
• Place of Birth: State College, Pennsylvania, USA
• Education: Graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism.
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
• Marital Status: Not Married (In a long-term relationship)
• Partner: James Neal (Professional Ice Hockey Player)
• Primary Role: NFL Sideline Reporter for CBS Sports
• Key Career Milestones: CBS Sports (since 2018), The Golf Channel (Host of "Big Break" and "Driver vs. Driver"), Yahoo! Sports, and various roles covering the NBA, NHL, and MLB.
• Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

The Man Behind the Query: Who Is Melanie Collins' Partner, James Neal?

The persistent search for Melanie Collins's "husband" almost always leads to James Neal, the Canadian professional ice hockey player who has been her boyfriend since 2014. Neal is a highly accomplished athlete whose own career in the National Hockey League (NHL) makes him a prominent figure in the sports world, perfectly complementing Collins's professional life.

The couple’s relationship has been long-standing, navigating the high-pressure, travel-heavy schedules of two major sports figures. Their connection is a strong example of two successful individuals maintaining a private life amidst public careers.

James Neal: Biography and NHL Career Profile

James Neal, often nicknamed "The Real Deal," is an NHL veteran with a career that spanned 14 seasons. His path in professional hockey has been marked by consistent scoring and a reputation as a power forward.

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• Full Name: James Neal
• Date of Birth: September 3, 1987
• Current Age (as of December 13, 2025): 38 years old
• Place of Birth: Whitby, Ontario, Canada
• Profession: Former Professional Ice Hockey Winger (Retired/Inactive)
• NHL Career Span: 2008–2022 (14 seasons)
• Draft: Selected 33rd overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
• Key NHL Teams: Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Nashville Predators, Vegas Golden Knights, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and St. Louis Blues.
• Career Highlights: Named to the NHL All-Star Game multiple times. He was a key player for the Vegas Golden Knights during their inaugural season, helping them reach the Stanley Cup Finals.

The age difference between Melanie Collins and James Neal is minimal, with Collins being only one year and seven months older than Neal. This fact often surprises fans who search for the "husband's age," expecting a larger gap.

5 Key Facts About Melanie Collins and James Neal's Relationship

While the couple is not married, their long-term commitment and shared life in the sports world offer a fascinating look into the lives of two high-profile personalities. These facts clarify the nature of their relationship and address the core curiosity of the search query.

1. They Have Been Together For Over a Decade

Collins and Neal began dating in 2014, meaning their relationship has been ongoing for over 11 years as of late 2025. This longevity is a significant marker of commitment, often leading fans to assume a marital status. Their shared history has seen them support each other through major career moves, including Neal's time with the Nashville Predators and Vegas Golden Knights, and Collins's transition to a full-time NFL sideline reporter role with CBS Sports.

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2. The Age Difference is Less Than Two Years

A key finding from the search for "husband melanie collins age" is the small age gap. Melanie Collins, born in February 1986, is 39, while James Neal, born in September 1987, is 38. This slight difference of just 19 months means they are close in age, a detail that often contrasts with the typical age gap found in high-profile celebrity relationships.

3. Their Careers Are Deeply Intertwined by Sports

Collins’s expertise in sports broadcasting, particularly the NFL, and Neal’s extensive career in the NHL create a powerful synergy. They both understand the demands of a professional sports schedule, the constant travel, and the public scrutiny. This shared professional world is a major foundation of their connection, allowing them to offer mutual support that few outside the industry could provide.

4. Collins is a Prominent Figure on THE NFL ON CBS

Melanie Collins's career has skyrocketed since she joined CBS Sports in June 2018. Her role as an NFL sideline reporter is a high-visibility position, often working with the network's top teams. Her presence on the national stage during the NFL season is the primary reason for the increased public interest in her personal life, including searches about her "husband." Her work on the Golf Channel, hosting shows like "Big Break," also contributes to her topical authority in sports media.

5. James Neal Played for Seven Different NHL Teams

James Neal’s extensive NHL career provides rich context for the couple's life. He played for seven different NHL franchises, including being an original member of the Vegas Golden Knights and a key player for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Nashville Predators. Having amassed 296 goals and 263 assists in 869 games, Neal is a respected veteran of professional ice hockey. This level of professional commitment speaks to the shared dedication to excellence that both he and Collins possess.

Understanding the Melanie Collins and James Neal Dynamic

The dynamic between Melanie Collins and James Neal is a modern example of a committed, long-term partnership that exists outside the traditional bounds of marriage. For high-profile figures, maintaining a distinction between their public-facing careers—Collins as a reporter and Neal as a former athlete—and their private life is a deliberate choice.

The frequent search query "husband melanie collins age" is a clear indication that the public views their relationship as a marital one due to its duration and the couple's shared success. As Collins continues her high-profile work on the NFL sidelines, and Neal transitions into the next phase of his life following a distinguished NHL career, their relationship remains a source of public fascination. The fact remains that while they are not married, their partnership is one of the most stable and enduring in the world of professional sports media and athletics.

By focusing on the facts—Melanie Collins's current age of 39, James Neal's age of 38, and their status as a long-term dating couple since 2014—we can accurately answer the underlying intent of the user's curiosity and provide a comprehensive profile of both individuals.