Erin Andrews Opens Up About Early Career Failures and Being Fired

Early Struggles and Departure from Turner Sports

After graduating from the University of Florida in 2000 with a telecommunication degree, Andrews landed her first full-time broadcasting job covering the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Sunshine Network and Fox Sports Florida-South. According to Call Her Daddy, she joined Turner Sports in 2002 to cover Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves, college football, the Atlanta Thrashers, and the Atlanta Hawks. Andrews admitted on the podcast that she felt unequipped for studio presenting at the time, stating she called her father in tears every night and was eventually let go after two years.

Networking Strategy and the Move to ESPN

Following her departure from Turner Sports, Andrews used targeted networking to secure her next role in hockey broadcasting. According to Call Her Daddy, she approached industry professionals at a post-game venue to find out who handled NHL postseason assignments. That persistence led to a phone interview and a new opportunity just before the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004. Later that year, Andrews signed a three-year contract with ESPN, where she spent eight years covering college football, college basketball, and MLB before joining Fox Sports in 2012.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where did Erin Andrews work before ESPN? Before joining ESPN in 2004, Andrews worked for Turner Sports and covered the Tampa Bay Lightning for regional networks in Florida.
• What sports does Erin Andrews currently cover? Andrews is a prominent sideline reporter for Fox Sports, primarily covering NFL games, including Super Bowl broadcasts.
• What advice does Erin Andrews give to aspiring broadcasters? According to her appearance on Call Her Daddy, she advises young professionals to persistently reach out to decision-makers via email and text to stay visible in a competitive industry.