Laura Rutledge was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and raised in nearby Celebration. She spent her childhood intensely training to be a professional ballet dancer, and even went on to compete in beauty pageants, including Miss Florida 2012. She then fell into sports broadcasting by chance in college after trying out for a student radio station. 

Rutledge began her broadcasting career with Fox Sports, covering Tampa Bay Rays games and college sports programming throughout the southeastern United States. In 2014, she joined ESPN and quickly became a prominent sideline reporter covering college football, baseball, and major postseason events. Her versatility and energetic on-air presence helped her transition into national studio hosting roles across ESPN’s growing football coverage.

She currently hosts NFL Live on ESPN and regularly appears on SEC Network programs, including SEC Nation. Rutledge has also hosted coverage for the NFL Draft, college football playoffs, and various ESPN special events. In addition, she remains one of the network’s most recognizable female sports broadcasters, balancing studio hosting with live-event reporting assignments.