Laura Rutledge is a sports journalist, reporter, and television host for ESPN and the SEC Network. She is known for hosting NFL Live and SEC Nation while serving as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football. Before her career in sports broadcasting, Laura was crowned Miss Florida 2012 and competed in the Miss America pageant.
Laura Rutledge Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Laura Katherine McKeeman Rutledge |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | October 2, 1988 |
| Age | 37 years old (as of January 2026) |
| Place of birth | St. Petersburg, Florida, United States |
| Current residence | Connecticut, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Weight | 130 lbs (59 kg) |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Body measurements | 35-24-36 inches |
| Bra size | 34C |
| Marital status | Married |
| Spouse | Josh Rutledge (m. 2013) |
| Children | 2 (Reese Katherine and Jack Alexander) |
| Alma mater | University of Florida |
| Profession | Sports journalist, television host, reporter |
| Net worth | $1 million (estimated) |
Who is Laura Rutledge?
Laura Rutledge is a prominent sports journalist who has become one of ESPN’s most versatile on-air personalities.
She hosts two major shows and works as a sideline reporter for professional and college football games.
Laura gained national attention when she was crowned Miss Florida 2012 and competed in the Miss America pageant.
Her career spans over a decade in sports media, making her a recognized face for millions of football fans across the United States.
Laura grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida, and spent much of her childhood training as a professional ballet dancer.
She attended the University of Florida, where she shifted her focus from performing arts to broadcast journalism.
This decision changed the course of her life and set her on the path to becoming one of the most respected hosts in sports television.
How old is Laura Rutledge? Age and birthday
Laura Rutledge is 37 years old as of January 2026. She was born on October 2, 1988, in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. Her zodiac sign is Libra.
Laura Rutledge’s height, weight, and body measurements
Laura Rutledge stands 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs around 130 pounds (59 kg). Her body measurements are 35-24-36 inches, with a bra size of 34C.
Her blonde hair and blue eyes complement her television presence. Her background in beauty pageants and ballet contributed to her poised on-screen appearance.
Career
Early life and ballet training
Laura Rutledge’s early ambitions were not in sports broadcasting but in ballet dancing. She began ballet training at age three and took it seriously by the time she was 13.
Her family moved from Atlanta to Florida when she was 10 years old. Laura trained intensively and even attended a ballet boarding school in Washington, D.C. She joined a professional ballet company in Nashville and was on track to become a professional dancer.
At 18, Laura made a life-changing decision. She chose to attend the University of Florida instead of pursuing a professional ballet career. This pivot opened the door to her future in sports journalism.
University of Florida and Miss Florida
Laura enrolled at the University of Florida, where she majored in broadcast journalism. During her time at the university, she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and served as its Judicial Chair.
In 2011, she received the prestigious Red Barber Award for Excellence in Broadcasting, recognizing her as the top student broadcaster at the university.
While in college, Laura also competed in beauty pageants. She won the titles of Miss St. Petersburg in 2011 and Miss Pinellas County in 2012. In 2012, she was crowned Miss Florida.
Her talent performance was a ballet dance, which became her final public ballet performance. Laura competed in the 2013 Miss America pageant and placed in the Top 15.
Early broadcasting career
After graduating from the University of Florida in 2011, Laura began her professional broadcasting career. She worked as a sideline reporter for Fox Sports, covering Tampa Bay Rays and San Diego Padres baseball games.
She also covered college football games for Fox Sports and reported on the NCPA’s 2012 National Paintball Championship.
Laura worked as a sports anchor for CNN, appearing on shows like New Day and Early Start. She also contributed to HLN’s Morning Express with Robin Meade. These early roles helped her develop the skills and confidence needed for her later success at ESPN.
ESPN and SEC Network
Laura joined ESPN and the SEC Network in 2014 as a reporter. She quickly became a key part of the network’s college football coverage. In 2017, she was named the host of SEC Nation, a weekly college football show that travels to different campuses across the Southeastern Conference.
Laura has hosted SEC Nation for nine seasons as of 2025, making her one of the longest-serving hosts in the show’s history.
In August 2020, Laura took on a new challenge when she was named the host of NFL Live, ESPN’s premier year-round NFL studio show. The Emmy-nominated program airs five days a week, covering news, analysis, and discussions about professional football.
She hosts the show alongside analysts and former players, guiding conversations about games, player performances, and league trends.
Monday Night Football and College Football Playoff coverage
In August 2025, Laura added another major role to her portfolio when she became a full-time sideline reporter for Monday Night Football. She works alongside Lisa Salters, with ESPN using two sideline reporters for its Monday night games.
This role requires her to report from the field, conduct interviews with coaches and players, and provide real-time updates during games.
Laura also serves as a sideline reporter for college football games, including high-profile matchups in the College Football Playoff. She has covered multiple national championship games and major bowl games.
Her ability to transition from sideline reporting to hosting halftime shows has impressed viewers and colleagues alike.
Multi-year contract extension
In February 2025, ESPN re-signed Laura to a multi-year contract, extending her tenure with the network into a second decade. The deal reflects her value to the company and her status as one of the most versatile personalities in sports media.
What is Laura Rutledge’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Laura Rutledge’s net worth is estimated at $1 million. She earns an annual salary of approximately $400,000 from ESPN.
Her income comes from hosting NFL Live and SEC Nation, as well as her sideline reporting work for Monday Night Football and college football games.
Laura’s husband, former MLB player Josh Rutledge, also had a successful professional sports career.
During his six seasons in Major League Baseball, Josh earned millions from his contracts with the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox.
The combined household net worth of Laura and Josh is estimated to be between $3 million and $5 million.
Is Laura Rutledge married? Husband, children, and family life
Husband Josh Rutledge
Laura Rutledge is married to Josh Rutledge, a former professional baseball player. Josh played six seasons in Major League Baseball as an infielder for the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox between 2012 and 2017.
He was drafted by the Rockies in the third round of the 2010 MLB Draft after playing college baseball at the University of Alabama.
Laura and Josh met at an Alabama football game, despite Laura being a University of Florida alumna. The couple dated and got married in 2013.
Josh retired from professional baseball in 2018 after brief stints in the minor leagues with the San Francisco Giants organization.
Children
Laura and Josh have two children together. Their first child, a daughter named Reese Katherine Rutledge, was born on October 2, 2019, on Laura’s 31st birthday.
Their second child, a son named Jack Alexander Rutledge, was born on May 25, 2023. Laura often shares glimpses of her family life on social media, showing her balancing motherhood with her demanding career in sports broadcasting.
Where does Laura Rutledge live?
Laura and her family live in Connecticut, near ESPN’s studios. In 2021, the couple purchased a log cabin-style home in Connecticut for $1.1 million.
The property is located in a wooded area and provides privacy for the family. Laura and Josh previously lived in Manhattan but moved to Connecticut for more space after having children.
Social Media Presence
As of January 2026, Laura Rutledge has 318,000 followers on Instagram and uses the platform to share behind-the-scenes content from her work, family moments, and personal updates.
On X (formerly Twitter), she has approximately 288,000 followers. Laura’s social media presence allows her to connect with fans and provide insights into her life both on and off camera. Her Instagram bio reads “i love bloopers,” reflecting her lighthearted personality.
Fast Facts about Laura Rutledge
- Laura trained as a professional ballet dancer from age 3 until she was 18 years old.
- She was crowned Miss Florida 2012 and placed in the Top 15 at the Miss America 2013 pageant.
- Laura won the 2011 Red Barber Award for Excellence in Broadcasting at the University of Florida.
- She was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and served as Judicial Chair at her chapter.
- Laura was named the 2022 ZTA Outstanding Alumna for her achievements in sports broadcasting.
- She made her second child announcement on NFL Live in June 2023.
- Laura’s daughter Reese was born on her own birthday, October 2, 2019.
- She attended a ballet boarding school in Washington, D.C. during her teenage years.
- Laura has hosted SEC Nation for nine seasons, making her one of the show’s longest-serving hosts.
- The NFL Live team, which she hosts, won a Sports Emmy Award in 2025.
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Wrapping Up
Laura Rutledge is a multi-talented sports journalist who has built a successful career at ESPN through hard work and versatility.
From her early dreams of becoming a professional ballet dancer to winning the Miss Florida crown and eventually becoming one of the most recognizable faces in sports media, Laura’s journey is inspiring.
She hosts two major shows, works as a sideline reporter for the biggest games in football, and balances her career with raising two children.
Her estimated net worth of $1 million and annual salary of $400,000 reflect her success in the competitive world of sports broadcasting.
References
- Wikipedia. “Laura Rutledge”.
- ESPN Press Room. “Laura Rutledge – ESPN Press Room U.S.”.
- 30A. “From Seaside to the Super Bowl: Laura Rutledge’s Rise to the Top”.
- People. “Who Is Laura Rutledge’s Husband? All About Former MLB Player Josh Rutledge”.
- The New York Times. “How ESPN’s Laura Rutledge turns from sideline reporter to halftime host at CFP games”.
- University of Florida College of Journalism. “ESPN Reporter Laura Rutledge Shares How She Gained Valuable Broadcasting Experience at UFCJC”.
- Pro Football Network. “Who Is Laura Rutledge? Salary, Net Worth, and Career Timeline”.
- Zeta Tau Alpha. “2022 Outstanding Alumna”.
- ESPN Front Row. “From the Runway to the Red Zone, Rutledge Runs it Back to Her Florida Roots”.
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