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Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.

Laura Rutledge Pumped By ESPN Coworker Extension Announcement

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 2:31 PM ET

Yesterday ESPN shored up one of its top talents with a brand new contract. That re-signing came as an absolute delight to ESPN's Laura Rutledge.

Yesterday ESPN announced that it had reached terms on a multi-year extension with reporter Malika Andrews.

"ESPN has reached a multi-year extension with Sports Emmy Award-winning host & reporter @malika_andrews," the company announced yesterday.

Rutledge, who herself has been a beloved and respected talent at ESPN for years, was delighted by the news and called it "FANTASTIC" on X.

"FANTASTIC news!!! ❤️ you @malika_andrews," Rutledge wrote last night.

FANTASTIC news!!! ❤️ you @malika_andrews https://t.co/gFhik9ouWs
— Laura Rutledge (@LauraRutledge) September 17, 2025

Malika Andrews' rise

Andrews has rapidly become one of ESPN’s prominent voices in NBA coverage. She joined ESPN in October 2018 as an online NBA writer, covering teams like the Bulls and Bucks, following earlier work for the Chicago Tribune and a fellowship at The New York Times. In 2020, she gained wider visibility during the NBA Bubble as a sideline reporter, and in 2021 she served as sideline reporter for the NBA Finals.

Her on-air career has continued climbing: she became the host of NBA Today in late 2021, replacing The Jump, becoming also the first woman to host the NBA Draft in 2022. She’s been recognized with industry honors including a Sports Emmy Award for Emerging On-Air Talent, and was featured in Forbes’ “30 Under 30” for sports in 2021.

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 13: Malika Andrews, ESPN sideline reporter, during the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers games at Crypto.com Arena on January 13, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Laura Rutledge's career

Laura Rutledge is a prominent ESPN and SEC Network host and reporter whose career has steadily grown since she joined the network in 2014. A University of Florida graduate, she began working for SEC Network/ESPN as a sideline reporter and college sports correspondent. Over time, she took on larger studio roles — in 2017 becoming host of SEC Nation, and in 2020, assuming hosting duties on NFL Live. Her work spans college football, basketball, softball, baseball, and significant events like SEC championship games, the College Football Playoff, and the NCAA Women’s and Men’s World Series.

In 2025 Rutledge’s profile rose further when she was promoted to become a full-time sideline reporter for ESPN’s No. 1 Monday Night Football broadcast team, joining veteran Lisa Salters on all 20 of the network’s MNF games. She also re-signed a multi-year contract with ESPN, ensuring she’ll continue hosting NFL Live, SEC Nation, and handling high-visibility assignments—NFL Draft coverage, playoff games, and marquee college football sideline reporting.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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