A native of Edina, Minnesota, and a graduate of Boston College,[1] Pelissero began his journalism career in 2003,[1] reporting part-time on the Minnesota Vikings for local radio station KFAN.
[2] He worked there for two years before moving to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to work for the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram.
[2] One of his stories for the Leader-Telegram led to him joining the Green Bay Press-Gazette, where his work covering the Green Bay Packers saw him rise to the position of assistant sports editor,[2] as well as continuing to cover the Vikings for 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
[1] In 2013, Pelissero began covering the NFL for USA Today, where he was part of a team that won an Associated Press Sports Editors Top 10 award.
[1] Pelissero's wife, Sara, is a former producer for Minnesota television station KARE 11.