Fox Sports’ Jenny Taft: A Sports Reporter’s Rise to the National Stage

The Work in Sports Podcast - Insider Advice for Sports Careers

Making it to the national stage in sports broadcasting is a tall order. WorkInSports Podcast host Brian Clapp made it far in his career behind the scenes with CNN/Sports Illustrated and Fox Sports Northwest. However, doing so on camera is even more competitive, with fewer available jobs. To climb the ladder on air takes a lot of repetition to create an opportunity in the spotlight, potentially a bit of luck for said opportunity to materialize, and nerves of steel to take advantage of what could be your only chance to move up.

Today’s guest on the WorkInSports Podcast, Fox Sports Reporter/Host Jenny Taft, capitalized on her shot, and that translated into a meteoric rise from sideline reporter for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx to a fixture on national College Football (and BattleBots) broadcasts. On this episode, Clapp and Taft discuss:

• How her background as a standout athlete helps her connect with her interview guests

• Her first gig as one of the FSN Girls with Fox Sports North

• What working as a social media contributor for? the Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins, and Wild did to establish herself in the sports industry

• How she maintains work-life balance in the sports industry

• What advice she would give to a young woman looking to fill her shoes in sports broadcasting

Enjoy the full episode for Taft’s perspective and experience of telling sports stories to a national audience. Also, subscribe to the WorkInSports Podcast for more sports career advice and check out our YouTube channel for additional content!