Dan Abrams#Law & Crime

Abrams received a bachelor's degree in political science from Duke University and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.{{Cite web |title=How Dan Abrams Turned a Law Degree into a Media Empire — with a Twist {{!}} Columbia Magazine |url=https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/how-dan-abrams-turned-law-degree-media-empire-twist |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=magazine.columbia.edu |language=en}}{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Lexi.|title=Elon University School|url=https://www.elonnewsnetwork.com/article/2022/11/elon-university-school-of-law-hosts-dan-abrams-for-speaker-series|date=November 2, 2022|website=Elon News Network}}{{cite news|last=Shamisian|first=Jacob|title=An ugly feud between Dan Abrams and his neighbors just got real|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/star-abc-legal-anchor-is-suing-his-neighbors-for-2-million-2015-9|date=September 1, 2015|website=Business Insider}}

Abrams started his career working at Court TV, where he covered the O. J. Simpson case,{{cite news|last=Dargan|first=Michele|title=Dan Abrams of Court TV to Bring His Reflections to Temple Israel|url=https://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/story/news/2011/02/24/dan-abrams-court-tv-to/6644811007/|date=February 23, 2011|website=Palm Beach Daily News}} the International Criminal Court from the Netherlands, and the assisted-suicide trials of Dr. Jack Kevorkian from Michigan.

In 1997, Abrams left Court TV to serve as a general assignment correspondent for NBC News where he was later named Chief Legal Correspondent.{{cite news|last=Behnke|first=Megan|title=Dan Abrams Ending His Primetime NewsNation Show|url=https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/dan-abrams-ending-his-primetime-newsnation-show/|date=December 20, 2024|website=Popculture}} Abrams then began hosting The Abrams Report in 2001.{{cite news|title=MSNBC Names Dan Abrams as New General Manager|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna13285722|date=June 13, 2006|website=NBC News}} After 5 years, he accepted a managerial position at MSNBC, which he ultimately left in order to concentrate on his program Live with Dan Abrams. This show would eventually be revamped and renamed Verdict with Dan Abrams,{{cite news|first=Howard|last=Kurtz|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=MSNBC's Abrams Quits His Day Job|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/24/AR2007092401490.html|date=September 24, 2007|access-date=May 21, 2017}} which aired until August 21, 2008.{{cite news|last=Gillette|first=Felix|title=Dan Abrams' Closing Argument; Verdict Host Says Goodbye|url=https://observer.com/2008/08/dan-abrams-closing-argument-iverdicti-host-says-goodbye/|date=August 22, 2008|website=Observer}}

In March 2011, Abrams left NBC to become the Chief Legal Analyst for ABC News and a substitute anchor on Good Morning America.{{cite news|last=Battaglio|first=Stephen|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2021-07-19/dan-abrams-joins-newsnation-veteran-legal-analyst|title=Veteran Legal Analyst Dan Abrams Will Join NewsNation With a Prime-Time Show|date=July 19, 2021|newspaper=LA Times}} In 2013, Abrams became the network's Chief Legal Affairs Anchor, as well as an anchor of Nightline.{{cite news|title=Dan Abrams Named Nightline Anchor and Chief Legal Affairs Anchor for ABC News|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2013/06/dan-abrams-named-nightline-anchor-and-chief-legal-affairs-anchor-for-abc-news/|work=ABC News|access-date=June 19, 2013}} He stepped down from his full time role as Nightline anchor in December 2014 to focus on his expanding media businesses, and returned to his freelance role as the network's Chief Legal Analyst.{{Cite web|last=Barr|first=Jeremy|title=ABC's Dan Abrams stepping aside as 'Nightline' co-anchor|url=http://politi.co/21ptPb8|access-date=2020-06-04|website=Politico|date=December 18, 2014 |language=en}}

In 2016, Abrams became the host of Live PD. Aired on A&E, the show offered live coverage of on-duty police. Live PD was canceled on June 10, 2020, in the wake of protests against police brutality following the murder of George Floyd.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Live P.D.' Canceled By A&E Amid Ongoing Protests Against Police Brutality |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/live-pd-canceled-ae-protests-against-police-brutality-george-floyd-1202956175/ |website=Deadline |date=10 June 2020}}

In 2018, A&E named Abrams co-host of Grace vs. Abrams, in which Abrams and legal commentator Nancy Grace debated high-profile crime cases.{{Cite web|last=Rodney Ho|first=Radio and TV Talk|title=Nancy Grace/Dan Abrams square off on new A&E show starting March 29|url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/nancy-grace-dan-abrams-square-off-new-show-starting-march/fxHVTMTXUFKgEXO66iDKzJ/|access-date=2020-06-23|website=ajc|language=en}} The following year, Abrams signed on to produce and host Court Cam, a new show that took viewers inside America's courtrooms.{{Cite web|url=https://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/court-cam-ae-launching-new-tv-show-with-dan-abrams-live-pd/|title = Court Cam: A&E Launching New TV Show with Dan Abrams (Live PD)|date = 28 October 2019}}

In 2021 Abrams joined NewsNation to host a nightly prime-time show called Dan Abrams Live.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/dan-abrams-adrienne-bankert-newsnation-morning-in-america-1235022619/|title=Dan Abrams to Host NewsNation Live Show; Adrienne Bankert to Anchor 'Morning in America'|date=19 July 2021}} On December 19, 2024, Abrams announced that he would end his show effective in February 2025, though he would remain with the network.{{Cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Ryan |date=2024-12-20 |title=Dan Abrams to End NewsNation Show |url=https://tvline.com/news/dan-abrams-leaving-newsnation-show-last-episode-air-date-1235390862/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=TVLine |language=en-US}} He told viewers that “it’s impossible to keep devoting the time needed for this show while also running and growing my other businesses.”{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=2024-12-20 |title=Dan Abrams To End His Primetime NewsNation Show, But Will Remain At Network |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/dan-abrams-newsnation-show-to-end-1236239025/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}

In 2022 Abrams became host and executive producer for On Patrol: Live, a new show on Reelz following the same format as A&E's cancelled Live PD.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/tv/on-patrol-live-new-live-pd-premiere-date/|title=Reelz sets premiere date for new version of 'Live PD' | magazine=Entertainment Weekly }}

In September 2009, Abrams started Mediaite, a news site he described as "appreciating the celebrity of the media." {{cite news|last=Gauthier|first=Andrew|title=Dan Abrams's Mediaite.com Focuses on Celebrity Journalism|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/dan-abramss-mediaitecom-focuses-on-celebrity-of-journalism/|date=July 6, 2009|website=Adweek}} The site combines analyses of politics through a media lens.{{cite news|title=Mediaite About Us|url=https://www.mediaite.com/about/|access-date=March 26, 2025|website=Mediaite}}

That same year, Abrams launched Gossip Cop, a website devoted to celebrity gossip.{{cite news|url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/gossip-cop-patrols-dirty-mile-zone/|work=The New York Times|last=Carr|first=David|title=Gossip Cop Patrols Celebrity 'News'|date=July 29, 2009|access-date=May 21, 2017}} In 2019 Gossip Cop was acquired by Gateway Blend.{{Cite web|url=https://www.smartbusinessdealmakers.com/articles/topic/kasey-grelle-gateway-blend-acquisitions/|title = At Gateway Blend, Kasey Grelle digs in to acquisitions|date = 13 February 2020}}

In 2010, Abrams launched SportsGrid, a website offering a mix of sports news, video clips and other media tracking both sports and the media world surrounding it. SportsGrid was acquired by Anthem Media Group in a stock and cash deal in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://sportsgrid.com/uncategorized/anthem-media-group-acquires-rotoexperts-and-sportsgrid/|title=Anthem Media Group Acquires Rotoexperts and Sportsgrid to Boost Fantasy Sports Television Launch|publisher=Sportsgrid.com|date=August 1, 2013|access-date=July 13, 2015|archive-date=July 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713231437/http://www.sportsgrid.com/uncategorized/anthem-media-group-acquires-rotoexperts-and-sportsgrid/|url-status=dead}}

In 2011, Abrams Media started The Mary Sue,{{cite web |title=Ownership Policy |url=https://www.themarysue.com/ownership-policy/ |website=The Mary Sue |access-date=21 December 2022 |language=en |date=26 April 2022}} a partner site to Geekosystem with the goal of "highlighting women in the geek world, and providing a prominent place for the voices of geek women."{{Cite news|url=https://gamurs.group/blog/gamurs-group-acquires-the-mary-sue/|title=GAMURS Group Acquires The Mary Sue|work=GAMURS Group|date=2012-07-04|access-date=2022-12-13|language=en-US}} Abrams folded Geekosystem into The Mary Sue in 2014.{{cite web|url=http://themarysue.com/geekosystem-farewell/|title=Tomorrow Geekosystem Joins Forces with The Mary Sue for a Better Tomorrow|publisher=The Mary Sue|date=June 11, 2014|access-date=July 13, 2015}} On November 17, 2021, The Mary Sue was acquired by GAMURS Group.{{cite web |author1=Mediaite Staff |title=Announcement: Mediaite Sister Site The Mary Sue Acquired by GAMURS Group |url=https://www.mediaite.com/news/announcement-mediaite-sister-site-the-mary-sue-acquired-by-gamurs-group/ |website=Mediaite |access-date=10 February 2023 |language=en |date=17 November 2021}}

Abrams started LawNewz, a legal news website which also live streams trials as part of its online network, in 2016.{{cite news|last1=Kludt|first1=Tom|title=Dan Abrams launches LawNewz website|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/01/19/media/dan-abrams-lawnewz/|access-date=June 14, 2016|publisher=CNN|date=January 19, 2016}} The new live trial network, promoted as the new Court TV, launched on February 24, 2017, with A&E Networks taking a stake in the site.{{cite news|first1=Lukas I.|last1=Alpert|access-date=2019-03-03|title=A+E Networks Takes Stake in Dan Abrams's Live Trial Website|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-e-networks-takes-stake-in-dan-abramss-live-trial-website-1510602938|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=13 November 2017|issn=0099-9660}}{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2017/02/24/lawnewz-network-court-streaming/#lRxwM1G93Oqy|title=Court TV is basically being resurrected online|publisher=Mashable|date=February 24, 2017|access-date=March 31, 2017}} In 2017, LawNewz was rebranded to Law&Crime.{{cite web|first1=Reid|last1=Nakamura|access-date=2019-03-03|title=A+E Networks Partners With Dan Abrams to Rebrand LawNewz as Law&Crime Network|url=https://www.thewrap.com/ae-networks-partners-with-dan-abrams-to-rebrand-lawnewz-as-lawcrime-network/|date=13 November 2017}}{{cite web|access-date=2019-03-03|title=LawNewz Relaunches as Law & Crime With A+E Networks Investment|url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/lawnewz-relaunches-as-law-crime-with-ae-networks-investment/|website=Law & Crime|date=13 November 2017}}{{Cite web|url=https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/law-crime-expands-reach-with-launch-on-tunein/|title=Law & Crime Expands Reach With Launch On TuneIn|website=lawandcrime.com|date=20 December 2018}} In October 2023, Abrams sold Law&Crime to video content startup Jellysmack{{cite web |last1=Fischer |first1=Sara |title=Exclusive: Jellysmack acquires Law&Crime Network |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/10/10/jellysmack-acquires-law-crime-network |website=Axios |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=13 October 2023}} for a reported $125 million.{{cite web |last=Steinberg|first=Brian|title=Dan Abrams' Bottle Raiders Event Business in Bid to Scale Fine-Liquor Media|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/dan-abrams-bottle-raiders-acquires-liquor-event-show-1235992590/|website=Variety|date=May 6, 2024}}

In 2024, Abrams launched Bottle Raiders, a media business and app with aggregate ratings for fine liquors and personalized tasting events.{{cite web |last=Need|first=Kalin|title=Bottle Raiders Revolutionizes the Review of Premium Spirits|url=https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bottle-raiders|website=TrendHunter|date=January 16, 2025}}

In March 2010, Abrams published the Washington Post bestseller Man Down: Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt That Women Are Better Cops, Drivers, Gamblers, Spies, World Leaders, Beer Tasters, Hedge Fund Managers and Just About Everything Else.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/political-bookworm/post/book-world-bestsellers--july-17-2011/2011/07/15/gIQAc4BeLI_blog.html|title=Book World Bestsellers — July 17, 2011|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 5, 2011|access-date=May 21, 2017}} He then co-wrote a series of books about forgotten trials. In 2018, he released his second book, Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to The Presidency.{{cite web | url=https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/2629860.0041.213/--lincoln-s-last-trial-the-murder-case-that-propelled-him?rgn=main;view=fulltext | title=Review | work=Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association | date=2020 | volume=41 | issue=2 | last1=Dekle | first1=Sr }}{{cite news|last=Gardner|first=Chris|title=Time West Coast Editor Sam Lansky Scores Publishing Deal for Debut Novel (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/time-editor-sam-lansky-scores-publishing-deal-debut-novel-broken-people-1150656/|date=October 9, 2018|website=Hollywood Reporter}}

Abrams’ third book, Theodore Roosevelt for the Defense: The Courtroom Battle to Save His Legacy, was published on May 21, 2019,{{cite news|last=Schaub|first=Michael|title='Theodore Roosevelt For The Defense' Makes a Libel Case into Gripping Reading|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/05/22/725026140/theodore-roosevelt-for-the-defense-makes-a-libel-case-into-gripping-reading/|date=May 22, 2019|website=NPR}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2019/06/08/hardcover-nonfiction/|title=Hardcover Nonfiction Books – Best Sellers – June 8, 2019 – The New York Times|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-11-23|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}} followed by John Adams Under Fire: The Founding Father's Fight for Justice in the Boston Massacre Murder Trial, in 2020,{{cite news|last=Klein|first=Christopher|title=Why John Adams Defended Bristish Soldiers in the Boston Massacre Trials|url=https://www.history.com/articles/boston-massacre-trial-john-adams-dan-abrams|date=April 2, 2020|website=History}}{{Cite news|title=Hardcover Nonfiction Books – Best Sellers – March 22, 2020 – The New York Times|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2020/03/22/hardcover-nonfiction/|access-date=2020-06-23|issn=0362-4331}} and Kennedy's Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy, and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby in 2021.{{cite news|last=Iglesias|first=Gabino|title=Jack Ruby's Trial Moves From Side Stage to Center in 'Kennedy's Avenger'|url=https://www.npr.org/2021/06/04/1003190634/jack-rubys-trial-moves-from-side-stage-to-center-in-kennedys-avenger|date=June 4, 2021|website=NPR}}{{cite web| url = https://www.harpercollins.com/products/kennedys-avenger-dan-abramsdavid-fisher?variant=39307420434466| title = Kennedy's Avenger: Original – HarperCollins}}

Abrams’ sixth book, Alabama v. King: Martin Luther King Jr. and the Criminal Trial That Launched the Civil Rights Movement, was published in 2022.{{cite web|last=Gannon|first=Frank|title='Alabama v. King\ Review: How a Court Case Became a Crusade|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/alabama-v-king-review-how-a-court-case-became-a-crusade-11653250617|website=WSJ|date=May 22, 2022}}

In June 2012, Abrams had his first child with girlfriend Florinka Pesenti,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/16/style/the-doting-dad-side-of-dan-abrams.html|title=The Doting Dad Side of Dan Abrams|work=The New York Times|first=Michelle|last=Green|date=July 15, 2015}} who was part of the winning team on The Amazing Race 3.{{cite web|url= http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/obama-likes-french-star-omar-sy-ready-hit-u-s-article-1.1099480| work=Daily News|last1=Griffith|first1=Carson|first2=Adam|last2=Caparell|date= June 21, 2012|location=New York City|title=French star Omar Sy could be a big hit in the U.S.A.|access-date=October 30, 2016| archive-date=April 23, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130423123353/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/obama-likes-french-star-omar-sy-ready-hit-u-s-article-1.1099480|url-status=live}} They had a daughter in 2021.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/16/style/the-doting-dad-side-of-dan-abrams.html | title=The Doting Dad Side of Dan Abrams | newspaper=The New York Times | date=15 July 2015 | last1=Green | first1=Michelle }}

Abrams was a co-owner with David Zinczenko of the restaurant The Lion in Manhattan's Greenwich Village neighborhood.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/12/fashion/12WINGMEN.html|work=The New York Times|first=Peter|last=Stevenson|title=Dan Abrams and Dave Zinczenko, Friends and Partners|date=2010-12-10}}

In 2021, Abrams purchased Laurel Lake Vineyards on Long Island's North Fork,{{Cite web|url=https://northforker.com/2021/02/laurel-lake-winery-to-be-sold-to-tv-newsman/|title = Laurel Lake winery to be sold to Dan Abrams of ABC News|date = 9 February 2021}} which he relaunched in the summer of 2021 under a name inspired by his two children, Ev&Em Vineyards.{{cite news|last=Parpan|first=Grant|title=Two North Fork Wineries to Operate Under New Names|url=https://northforker.com/2021/04/two-north-fork-wineries-to-operate-under-new-names/|date=April 15, 2021}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.dan-abrams.com/}}
• {{C-SPAN|47894}}

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Category:1966 births

Category:Living people

Dan Abrams

Category:American chief executives in the mass media industry

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Category:Duke University Trinity College of Arts and Sciences alumni

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