Laura Rutledge admitted that the upcoming opportunity to be part of ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage remains beyond her understanding.
Super Bowl LXI is set to air on ESPN on Feb. 14, 2027, with the network taking the reins after NBC and Peacock aired the Big Game in 2026. This is part of the annual rotation of which networks air the Super Bowl, with the last time ESPN or any Disney property aired the game being in 2006.
With ESPN set to showcase the game once again, Rutledge shared her excitement about being part of the network’s Super Bowl crew, and one of her colleagues said they would like to stay with ESPN for the rest of their career after their current contract ends.
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“The fact that I’m going to be part of the Super Bowl coverage is just like beyond my comprehension,” she said in an interview with The U.S. Sun.
“And I think it’s taken certainly a lot of hard work and perseverance. But I’m just so grateful… I would have never even imagined all of this. And I’m really, really grateful to be at this point.”
Because of her quick rise in sports media, Rutledge explained that she still has moments where she feels like she has to remind herself that she gets to live out her dream as she continues to work on her craft and is presented opportunities that some only dream of obtaining.
Rutledge is set to be part of ESPN’s Super Bowl coverage in February -Credit:Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“It really does feel most days like I’m pinching myself,” she continued. “But I can’t believe I get to experience all of it, no matter the event, no matter what sport it is.”
As for what’s been driving her to strive to be the best reporter she can be, the 37-year-old explained how the fans who have her back continue to push her.
“I love the people — that’s really what has kind of kept me going,” she said to the outlet regarding the support she’s received throughout her career.
“There’s a lot of travel. There’s a lot of crazy hours… For me, it’s about just pouring into people and encouraging people and then feeling that on the other side.
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“Community is huge. It’s a big reason why I wanted to do this, you know, aligning with people and anybody that loves to just celebrate being together and celebrate fun times and remembering, too, that like sports are supposed to be fun. It’s supposed to be entertainment.”
It remains to be seen how the Super Bowl will perform on ESPN, as it marks the first time in two decades the network has shown the Big Game.
That said, the Super Bowl should continue to draw large crowds next year, as the Big Game is often the most-watched sporting event of the year, drawing over 100 million viewers.
Super Bowl LXI will be at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Feb. 14, 2027.
