ESPN has announced a major promotion for Laura Rutledge, elevating her to a permanent role as a sideline reporter for their top “Monday Night Football” crew.
Here’s a breakdown of the new MNF sideline reporting lineup:
- Laura Rutledge will join Lisa Salters as a permanent sideline reporter for all 20 games that the top “Monday Night Football” team of Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Salters will call this season. This includes 17 regular season MNF games, one Week 18 Saturday doubleheader game, a Wild Card game, and a Divisional Round game.
- Rutledge will balance these duties with her existing roles hosting “NFL Live” on weekdays and “SEC Nation” on Saturdays. On Mondays, “NFL Live” will now be broadcast live from the MNF game site.
- Katie George and Peter Schrager have been added to the second “Monday Night Football” crew, joining Chris Fowler, Dan Orlovsky, and Louis Riddick for five games, including the four MNF doubleheader weeks and a Week 18 Saturday doubleheader game.
- ESPN also announced a contract extension for Lisa Salters, who will be entering her 14th season as the network’s lead NFL sideline reporter.Â
Rutledge expressed her excitement about the promotion, calling “Monday Night Football” the “pinnacle” and a “dream come true”. She will also be on the sidelines for ESPN’s first Super Bowl broadcast in 2027.
