ESPN hires sports influencer and recent Penn State alum Katie Feeney for major lifestyle role

Jackie Longo

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ESPN hires sports influencer and recent Penn State alum Katie Feeney for major lifestyle role image

ESPN is getting a Gen-Z glow up thanks to 22-year-old sports influencer and recent Penn State graduate Katie Feeney. 

The network just hired the 22-year-old blonde beauty - who boasts more than 14 million followers on social media - for a lead lifestyle role to help connect with younger audiences. 

Although Feeney just graduated from college in June, she's not your typical recent college grad, as she's entering the workforce with a pretty impressive resume.

In 2022, she became the first-ever social media correspondent for an NFL team, the Washington Commanders, and has since been hired to cover everything from the Oscars to the Super Bowl. 

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Katie Feeney to lead ESPN's social push and join NFL, College GameDay coverage

ESPN says it's hoping Feeney will bring some refreshed changes to the networks social media channels, including "SportsCenter's" Snapchat, which has over 9 million subscribers. She'll also make appearances addition on "Sunday NFL Countdown," "Monday Night Countdown," and "College GameDay."  

"Feeney will bring her signature first-person, lifestyle-driven approach - a blend of on-site access, fashion, and culture - to fans," the network said in a release shared on Monday."

“Katie has built an impressive and authentic connection with sports fans by blending access, personality, and Gen-Z culture in a way that feels fresh and engaging,” said Kaitee Daley, ESPN Senior Vice President, Digital, Social and Streaming Content. “Her perspective and creativity are a perfect match for how we’re reimagining coverage to meet fans where they are, and we can’t wait to see the energy she brings to ESPN’s daily coverage and live event moments.”

Following the announcement, the 22-year-old expressed her excitement about joining ESPN. 

“From capturing Penn State games on the sidelines to now joining the biggest platform in sports, this journey has been incredible,” said Feeney. “I grew up watching SportsCenter with my family, and I’m proud to now be part of the storytelling that brings ESPN to millions of fans around the world.”

She also posted about her new job post-college on TikTok.

"It doesn't feel real yet! I can't wait @espn," she captioned the post, alongside a picture standing in front of a lit-up sign with the network's logo. 

@katiefeeneyy It doesn’t feel real yet! I can’t wait!! @ESPN ♬ No More Tears - Ozzy Osbourne

Feeney graduated with a bachelor's degree in June. 

She signed with CAA in January. 

 

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Jackie Longo

Jackie is a freelance writer and editor with The Sporting News. She has covered sports, entertainment and lifestyle for over a decade. She has written for a number of outlets including Business Insider, The Sun, Travel+Leisure and Heavy. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism from West Virginia University and resides in Charlotte, NC.