As ESPN’s Laura Rutledge continues to interrupt boundaries in sports activities media, she’s anticipating all soccer followers to have a good time the variety of the game’s fan base.
Rutledge, 37, who joined ESPN’s Monday Night time Soccer protection this yr along with her duties on the community’s NFL Reside, couldn’t assist however discover a few of the predictable social media backlash to Taylor Swift attending her fiancé Travis Kelce and the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ recreation in opposition to the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night time Soccer on Sunday, October 12.
“I’m shocked and saddened by it,” Rutledge completely informed Us Weekly whereas selling her partnership with The Honey Baked Ham Firm. “The truth is, how does it have an effect on you negatively if there are extra followers of a sport that you just already like? Why is that an issue? When you actually break it all the way down to what it’s at its core, they’re mad as a result of a whole inflow of a brand new viewers is likely to be watching a sport that they love. It actually doesn’t have an effect on you. It’s effective! It’s OK!”
In line with a 2025 SSRS Sports activities Ballot, 47 % of the U.S. NFL fan base is feminine, and ladies characterize 40 % of the league’s worldwide progress.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in August, Chiefs proprietor Clark Hunt stated, “I’m fairly positive that the Chiefs ranked No. 1 amongst NFL groups within the feminine demographic.”
“One of many neatest issues about what Taylor Swift has dropped at that is that it’s been such a chance — not just for younger girls, however individuals who could not have actually cared about soccer — to care and to need to watch,” Rutledge added.
Regardless of the case, Rutledge argued that Swift, 35, has hardly even been a spotlight of the broadcasts anymore.
“When you actually break it down, no one actually exhibits her that a lot,” Rutledge stated. “You’re nonetheless documenting the sport. You’re not lacking a play. They’re not lacking snaps. They’re doing an amazing job of telling the story of the sport. The truth is, which is a credit score to her, she’s a part of that story. And that ought to by no means be forgotten in all of this.”
Taylor Swift seems to be on throughout the second quarter within the recreation between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium on October 12, 2025. Jamie Squire/Getty Pictures
As Rutledge’s profession continues to blossom, she candidly admitted that she’s nonetheless not free from interested by what important soccer followers at house is likely to be interested by her on-air efficiency.
“I discover myself making choices primarily based on what anyone may say, and that frustrates me,” Rutledge informed Us. “I’ve a daughter who’s 6 years outdated and I’m continually making an attempt to assume, ‘How can I do higher for her? How can I discover a option to arise for myself and to face up for different girls?’ I don’t know the fitting solutions on a regular basis. I feel typically it’s about defending your individual peace.”
She added, “That’s what I do a variety of instances. I’ll keep away from doing and saying sure issues as a result of I feel, ‘That might not be value it.’ However on the finish of the day, I hope for myself that I can get to a spot the place I actually don’t care in any respect.”
Laura and her husband, former Main League Baseball participant Josh Rutledge, bought married in 2013 and share two youngsters: daughter Reese, 7, and son Jack, 2.
Amid the chaos of juggling her skilled life together with her private one, Laura has been capable of lean on the assistance of The Honey Baked Ham Firm’s new Take & Serve Tavern Membership Sliders throughout tailgate season.
Laura Rutledge Courtesy of The Honey Baked Ham Firm
“I like tailgating and I like meals,” Rutledge stated. “The truth is that Honey Baked Ham simply caters to all of us. Any fan needs to have the ability to watch the video games and be operating round, visiting with individuals. You don’t need one thing that’s tremendous messy or arduous to take care of.”
Honey Baked’s Take & Serve Sliders function Honey Baked Ham and smoked turkey breast with bacon and cheddar cheese on King’s Hawaiian Rolls.
Now by way of the top of October, followers can rating any two slider 12-packs for simply $44.99 at collaborating areas.
