The value of sideline reporters has never been higher. The right sideline reporter, that is.
What was once thought to be just icing on the cake of a sports broadcast — or a throwaway job given to ex-players — has become a driving force when it comes to ratings, and it’s being treated that way by networks.
One of the big musts for elite sideline reporters today is having a big presence on social media, and it’s not a stretch to say the link between their followers on social media and their popularity on broadcasts is a real thing.
Here’s a look at sideline reporters with the biggest Instagram followings from around the world, listed from least to most followers.
30. John Schiffren
Country: United States
Network: CBS
Primary sports: NFL, college football, college basketball
Instagram handle: @john_schiffren
IG followers: 28.9K
In their own words: “Going into college, I had no idea what I wanted to do. But, my mom always told me: ‘Yes, you’re an athlete now, but you’re always going to need your education because you never know what’s going to happen.’ Of course, my mom is always going to be right (laughs) and my freshman year I got hurt.” —CBS Washington
Note: All numbers on follower counts are through July 12, 2023.
Bottom Line: John Schriffen
John Schiffren was a star pitcher for Hunter College High on New York City’s Upper East Side, but after an arm injury derailed his college career, he pivoted quickly to a career in journalism.
He’s got bona fides that not many in sports journalism can boast — he also covered the White House and Capitol Hill for the NBC affiliate in Washington, D.C.
29. Gevrina Catalina
Country: United States
Network: NFL Network, ESPN Deportes
Primary sports: MLS, NFL
Instagram handle: @theregoesgigi
IG followers: 32.5K
In their own words: “It isn’t until you understand the why that drives each individual, can you truly connect on an honest soul-like level.” —Gevrina.com
Bottom Line: Gevrina Catalina
Gevrina Catalina graduated from Southern California prep sports powerhouse Mater Dei, then was a member of the rowing team at UCLA.
Kids, want to know how you can guarantee you’ll always have work? Learn three languages like Gevrina. She speaks fluent French, Spanish and English and it’s led to jobs working for the Rams and Major League Soccer club LAFC.
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28. Jaime Maggio
Country: United States
Network: Fox Sports West
Primary sports: NFL, NBA, college basketball, college football
Instagram handle: @jaime_maggio
IG followers: 41.3K
In their own words: “My Great Uncle Hugh (Airforce) never came home from WWII. Hugh was “Killed In Action” when his B-17 was attacked by enemy aircraft and crash landed a mile from Woensdrecht Air Field, on the Holland & Belgium border. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. He was 25. War is horrific, but I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the men and women who serve to protect us.” —Instagram
Bottom Line: Jaimie Maggio
We probably would’ve thrown away the rules and put Jaime Maggio on this list if she only had three followers based on the sheer power of her listing “A Bronx Tale” as her favorite movie in her bio.
Right now, she’s in the enviable position of handling sideline duties for Los Angeles Clippers games on Fox Sports West. If you haven’t heard yet, they’re good now.
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27. Rebecca Haarlow
Country: United States
Network: MSG Network, TNT, NBA TV
Primary sports: NBA
Instagram handle: @rebeccahaarlow
IG followers: 46.4K
In their own words: “It’s a dream come true to have the opportunity to work for MSG Networks and cover one of the most storied franchises in all of sports.” —MSGNetworks.com
Bottom Line: Rebecca Haarlow
Rebecca Haarlow is just one of many great athletes who made this list.
She was a high school track star at Hinsdale (Illinois) Central High, winning six state titles in track and field, then was an Ivy League standout at Princeton.
She was a sideline reporter for the Portland Trailblazers and the NFL Network before joining the MSG Network to cover the Knicks. At least New York is a great place to live.
26. Tracy Wolfson
Country: United States
Network: CBS
Primary sports: NFL, college football, college basketball
Instagram handle: @tracywolfson
IG followers: 59.6K
In their own words: “I feel like you are the third set of eyes and ears, but you’re the only person on the field. I always said I’m not doing a story just to get on the air. It’s got to be relevant, it’s got to work into the broadcast.” —NJ.com
Bottom Line: Tracy Wolfson
Tracy Wolfson made the move from ESPN to CBS Sports in 2004, and she’s been a constant on sidelines at some of the biggest sporting events in the world ever since.
Possibly the best picture to come out of the 2019 NCAA tournament was the one Wolfson, 5-foot-2, took with 7-foot-7 UCF center Tacko Fall.
The size disparity between the two was enough that it appeared almost like it was photoshopped.
25. Dennis Scott
Country: United States
Network: NBA TV
Primary sports: NBA, college basketball
Instagram handle: @dennis3dscott
IG followers: 63.9K
In their own words: “When I got down to Georgia Tech, I saw what Bobby Cremins had started to build with Mark Price and John Salley. And Atlanta’s a great city. It’s a progressive city, you learn about different cultures, the food, the nightlife. They started calling it the Chocolate City of the South because of all the urban and southern hospitality.” —The Oklahoman
Bottom Line: Dennis Scott
Dennis Scott is one of the legendary long-distance shooters in college basketball and NBA history. The No. 4 overall pick in the 1990 NBA draft has been in broadcasting in one form or another — radio or television — since he played his last NBA season in 2000.
He’s also the only one on this list who can claim an iMDB page with a guest-starring credit on 1990s Nickelodeon staple “Clarissa Explains It All” starring Melissa Joan Hart.
24. Jen Hale
Country: United States
Network: Fox Sports
Primary sports: NFL, NBA, college football
Instagram handle: @jenhale504
IG Followers: 66.3K
In their own words: “Be kind to everyone, but only listen to the input of a trusted few.” —MyNewOrleans.com
Bottom Line: Jen Hale
Jen Hale is a former LSU cheerleading captain, homecoming queen and Miss LSU. She’s also brilliant.
Hale got her master’s degree from Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, then received a fellowship that allowed her to go to Germany and study the U.S.-German relationship after the fall of communism.
Hale also founded Sideline Pass, an organization dedicated to empowering and educating young women through seminars, scholarships and community outreach.
23. Olivia Harlan Dekker
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: College football, NFL
Instagram handle: @oliviaharlandekker
IG followers: 70.7K
In their own words: “Just makin’ history next Monday … thanks @westwood1sports for the opportunity and thanks @KevinHarlan for … life and stuff.” —Twitter
Bottom Line: Olivia Harlan Dekker
Olivia Harlan Dekker is sports broadcasting royalty. Her father is legendary announcer Kevin Harlan, and the two made history in 2018 when they became the first father-daughter duo to broadcast an NFL game.
She’s married to former NBA forward Sam Dekker, and the two did something pretty amazing on their wedding day, asking for donations to the Children’s Center Family Foundation in lieu of wedding gifts, which led to a whopping $65,000 donation.
22. Holly Rowe
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: College football, college basketball, college volleyball, college softball
Instagram handle: @sportssiren
IG followers: 83.3K
In their own words: “I think athletes are some of the most fascinating people in the world. Every day, I’d see people winning. I would see these women doing amazing things. That really inspired me and gave me amazing strength.” —Cancer Today Magazine
Bottom Line: Holly Rowe
Holly Rowe is one of the most well-known and well-respected sports journalists working today.
She has been with ESPN since 1998 and has a unique ability to move seamlessly between sports and roles, also working as a play-by-play broadcaster.
And next time you hear someone call an athlete tough, consider this: Rowe covered the 2016 men’s and women’s NCAA tournaments one month after cancer surgery, with plastic tubes stitched into her incision to drain fluid into a bag under her blouse.
21. Allie LaForce
Country: United States
Network: TNT
Primary sports: NBA
Instagram handle: @allie.laforce
IG followers: 86.3K
In their own words: “Hannah Storm I remember really loving, because she could do it all — reporting, hosting, live or taped reports. But then I got to work with Andrea Kremer and Lesley Visser and was blown away by their tenacity and all they accomplished. Tracy Wolfson is such a pro. Doris Burke is my hero.” —sportsbroadcastjournal.com
Bottom Line: Allie LaForce
Allie LaForce was Miss Teen USA in 2005, representing Ohio, and also played college basketball for the University of Ohio — a great mix of pop culture and sports from almost the very beginning.
She got her big break covering the SEC on CBS when Tracy Wolfson made the jump to NFL coverage, and now has a plum gig working sidelines for NBA games on TNT.
LaForce is married to Houston Astros pitcher Joe Smith.
20. Lauren Shehadi
Country: United States
Network: MLB Network
Primary sports: MLB
Instagram handle: @laurenshehadi
IG followers: 88.8K
In their own words: “All my greatest baseball memories are from the nation’s capital or around the Beltway. … I remember [American] Legion softball games, being on travel teams where you have five games in a day. All of my favorite memories that molded me into a baseball fan happened in and around D.C.” —heavy.com
Bottom Line: Lauren Shehadi
Throwback time. Lauren Shehadi interned for early 2000s TV staple “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Fox.
The University of Florida grad does baseball’s version of a sideline reporter — on-field reporter — along with hosting MLB Central.
She’s been with the MLB Network since 2012 and also hosted a podcast called “The Podium” for NBC and Vox Media leading up to the 2018 Winter Olympics.
19. John Sutcliffe
Country: Mexico
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: Soccer, NFL, NBA, professional golf
Instagram handle: @espnsutcliffe
IG Followers: 92.5K
In their own words: “Azteca (Stadium) has stepped up to be considered something like Wembley in the sense that there’s a lot of history but it’s about bringing a game back every year. Thousands of Mexicans and Latinos want the NFL to come every year.” —ESPNfrontrow.com
Bottom Line: John Sutcliffe
Say what you will about John Sutcliffe’s much-maligned turns in the spotlight for ESPN — notably a 2016 “Monday Night Football” broadcast — he has a massive appeal, and he’s approaching the 1 million mark for Twitter followers.
How’d he do it? Sutcliffe has covered the Mexican national team — El Tri — in five World Cups for ESPN, where he’s worked since 2000. And, in case you didn’t know, soccer is pretty popular in Mexico.
18. Molly McGrath
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: College football, college basketball
Instagram handle: @mollyamcgrath
IG followers: 120K
In their own words: “Being back at Boston College as a reporter for ESPN will be surreal. I never would have guessed that I would someday be back on that field sans Eagle face tattoo, with a microphone in my hand instead of some pompoms.” —ESPNfrontrow.com
Bottom Line: Molly McGrath
Molly McGrath jumped from being a cheerleading captain at Boston College to sports journalism, compiling a reel of interviewing BC coaches and athletes that helped her grab her first job at ESPN as a production assistant in 2011.
McGrath has risen to prominence as the sideline reporter for ESPN’s “Thursday Night Football,” which has grown in popularity exponentially over the last few years, coinciding with McGrath’s return to ESPN from Fox Sports.
17. Doris Burke
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: NBA
Instagram handle: @dorisaburke
IG followers: 123K
In their own words: “Women still have a long way to go (in sports broadcasting). Because the reality is that I’m fifty-two years old. And how many fifty-five to sixty-year-old women do you see in sports broadcasting? How many? I see a lot of sixty-year-old men broadcasting.” —Sports Illustrated
Bottom Line: Doris Burke
Doris Burke holds a couple of notable spots on this list. She’s not only one of the most venerated journalists, but she’s also one of the most venerated athletes.
Burke was an All-Big East point guard for Providence, graduating with the career record for assists. She was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Burke has been a trailblazer as a broadcaster and entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018 as a media member.
16. Melanie Collins
Country: United States
Network: CBS
Primary sports: NFL, professional golf
Instagram handle: @melanie_collins
IG followers: 126K
In their own words: “I just felt like I was surrounded by greatness at Penn State. I felt like there were so many people there that kind of pushed me to be the best that I could be. There was no room for mediocrity.” —statecollege.com
Bottom Line: Melanie Collins
Penn State grad Melanie Collins doesn’t seem to ever stop working. In addition to being a sideline reporter for NFL games on CBS, she also hosts a pair of shows on The Golf Channel.
Collins covered college football and college basketball for CBS for four years before her NFL promotion. She grew up around sports. Her dad was an assistant women’s tennis coach at Penn State, and two of her brothers played hockey there.
Bottom Line: Ana Caty-Hernandez
Another former athlete makes the list. Univision Deportes’ Ana Caty-Hernandez is the daughter of a former soccer manager in her native Mexico, and also played for MX Femenil Chivas in 2007.
Like many players from her generation, Caty-Hernandez gained inspiration from the 1999 U.S. women’s team, furthered by her obsession with the “Mia Hamm Soccer 64” video game, released on the Nintendo 64 in 2000 and the first video game to feature only female athletes.
14. Lindsay Czarniak
Country: United States
Network: Fox
Primary sports: NASCAR, NFL
Instagram handle: @lindsaycz
IG followers: 194K
In their own words: “If you do what I do, what we do in this industry, to do all those things and be at those places and cover the World Series and be there live on the field, I mean, that’s a freaking dream.” —NY Post
Bottom Line: Lindsay Czarniak
More throwbacks coming at you. James Madison grad Lindsay Czarniak got her break on the national sports scene as co-host of “The George Michael Sports Machine” in 2006.
These days, she does double-duty for Fox Sports as part of its NFL coverage team and studio host for NASCAR coverage.
Czarniak is a second-generation journalist. Her father, Chet, is a former executive editor for USA Today.
13. Cindy Burbano
Country: Venezuela
Network: Telemundo
Primary sports: Soccer
Instagram handle: @cindyburbanotv
IG followers: 206K
In their own words: “I am a big foodie and Houston is the perfect city for fabulous cuisine. One of my favorite spots for a couple years now has been Brasserie 19 in River Oaks. Pax Americana is a must with great food and wonderful atmosphere. Hugo’s, Corner Table, Masraff’s, DaMarco … I could go on for days. Houston has so many great restaurants.” —365 Things to do in Houston
Bottom Line: Cindy Burbano
The sideline reporter for Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, Cindy Burbano was born in Venezuela but educated in the United States, receiving a degree in international business management from Endicott College.
Burbano carved out her own lane in Houston media, creating, developing and anchoring Telemundo’s first morning news show in Houston from 5 a.m.-6 a.m. each day — which means that alarm goes off about 3 a.m., if you’re really sleeping in.
12. Jenny Taft
Country: United States
Network: Fox
Primary sports: College football, soccer
Instagram handle: @jennytaft
IG followers: 210K
In their own words: “I love getting to know people, find those little stories and really, I’m the eyes that I’d like to think everyone wants to have. So my job, I feel like I take it serious that I need to report whatever I’m seeing on the sideline.” —The Oklahoman
Bottom Line: Jenny Taft
Jenny Taft is best known for her role as moderator/co-host for “Undisputed” every morning with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe, and balances that with being Fox Sports lead sideline reporter for college football coverage.
The Minnesota native is the daughter of former NHL defenseman John Taft, who played for the U.S. in the 1976 Winter Olympics, and is married to former NHL defenseman Matt Gilroy.
11. Cassidy Hubbarth
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: NBA, college football
Instagram handle: @cassidyhubbarth
IG followers: 211K
In their own words: “I always get asked, ‘What’s your dream job?’ And I honestly, legitimately would not want to do anything other than what I’m doing right now, being at these games, forming relationships with the players.” —FOS.com
Bottom Line: Cassidy Hubbarth
Cassidy Hubbarth is a graduate of the prestigious Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and has been with ESPN since 2010. One reason she’s been there for so long is that she can do a little bit of everything (and sideline reporting).
Since 2013, she’s hosted “SportsCenter,” “NBA Tonight,” “Highlight Express,” “Numbers Never Lie,” “SportsNation,” “First Take” and (deep breath) “The NBA Today” podcast.
So, yeah, she can pretty much do it all.
10. Kristen Ledlow
Country: United States
Network: TNT, NBA TV
Primary sports: NBA
Instagram handle: @kristenledlow
IG followers: 230K
In their own words: “Craig Sager gave me the most lasting advice, in that, you can never miss the obvious question. I think about that more times than I can count in big moments in walk-off interviews that have determined playoff series.” —Uproxx
Bottom Line: Kristen Ledlow
Kristen Ledlow was an All-American volleyball player at Southeastern University, but had an eye to the future. She also did the streaming and radio broadcasts for the men’s basketball games at Southeastern.
With Doris Burke moving into more of an analyst role for TNT, Ledlow has taken over many of the sideline reporter responsibilities and also hosts a podcast, “Ledlow & Parker,” with Candace Parker.
It’s very good, by the way.
9. Laura Rutledge
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: College football
Instagram handle: @lauramrutledge
IG followers: 239K
In their own words: “I learned how to host on the fly. I feel like I personally have a long way to go. I am constantly trying to find ways to incorporate personality and authenticity. I think people like that from where they are sitting at home.” —NY Post
Bottom Line: Laura Rutledge
Laura Rutledge was named Miss Florida 2012 and also spent several years working for Fox Sports covering Tampa Bay Rays games, then the San Diego Padres.
Rutledge is a big part of ESPN’s early-morning show “Get Up” and “SEC Nation” — and killed it in 2019, signing a multi-year extension with the “Worldwide Leader” and giving birth to her first child with former MLB infielder Josh Rutledge — daughter Reese was born on Laura’s birthday, Oct. 2.
8. Maria Taylor
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: College football, college basketball, college volleyball
Instagram handle: @mariataylor
IG followers: 326K
In their own words: “I’ve learned to recognize that I’m in certain rooms for a reason, and I’ve learned — if I have an opinion or something I want to say — to say those things and not feel afraid about it.” —NBCNews.com
Bottom Line: Maria Taylor
If you don’t know who Maria Taylor is by this point, you may have been living under a rock the last few years … or at least not watching ESPN’s “College Gameday,” which Taylor joined in 2017.
As far as former athletes on this list go, Taylor’s resume stacks up with the best of them. She was a four-time All-SEC volleyball player for the University of Georgia, where she also played basketball.
7. Charissa Thompson
Country: United States
Network: Fox
Primary sports: NFL, college football, college basketball
Instagram handle: @charissajthompson
IG followers: 468K
In their own words: “I think that there is an added responsibility to get the information correct because you’re scrutinized a little bit differently. Approaching almost 10 years in the business, I think my leash has gotten a little bit longer, but I still have a responsibility to myself to make sure I am worthy of sitting at that table.” —Huffington Post
Bottom Line: Charissa Thompson
Washington State grad Charissa Thompson has been in our lives for over a decade, starting with hosting “The Best Damn Sports Show Period” on Fox, then a two-year stint at ESPN from 2011 to 2013.
Thompson has shown a legitimate crossover appeal — most perfectly seen by her stint hosting popular entertainment news show “Extra” from 2014 to 2017.
Now, we know her best for hosting Fox’s NFL pregame show, “NFL Kickoff.”
6. Jill Martin
Country: United States
Network: MSG Network
Primary sports: NBA
Instagram handle: @jillmartin
IG followers: 579K
In their own words: “If something has value, it’s worth every penny. Everything is very deliberate. It’s not just about having great taste. Great taste is a matter of opinion. Quality isn’t subjective.” —Forbes.com
Bottom Line: Jill Martin
Jill Martin’s role as a sideline reporter at New York Knicks games isn’t as big as it used to be — in no small part to her success in other arenas, including launching her own home decor line on QVC and being a contributor for “The Today Show.”
Martin is a multifaceted media brand, and her sideline reports now consist mainly of celebrity interviews at Knicks games.
Which is pretty good work if you can get it.
4. Pat McAfee (Tie)
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: NFL, professional wrestling
Instagram handle: @patmcafeeshow
IG followers: 1.3M
In their own words: “[Colts general manager Ryan Grigson] goes, ‘What did you just say to me?’ I go, ‘Oh yeah, I’m the best in the game at what I do. I wish you would do the same.’ This is a moment he did not expect. He goes, ‘You’re going to walk into my office and disrespect me?’ I go, ‘You called me in here.’ He said, ‘I’m going to fine you a whole game check.’ I said, ‘Cool bro,’ and literally walked out of his office. As I walk out, he gives me the, ‘Get out of my office.’ I go, ‘Already walking out.'” —ProFootballTalk.com
Bottom Line: Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee spent almost a decade as a punter for the Indianapolis Colts, and made two Pro Bowls in that stretch.
He made an easy transition into a media role, and the story of him telling Colts general manager Ryan Grigson the reason the team lost was because Grigson couldn’t put together an offensive line to protect quarterback Andrew Luck is priceless.
McAfee’s move up the sports media ranks can be credited a lot to him being, quite frankly, hilarious.
4. Ariel Helwani (Tie)
Country: Canada
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: Mixed Martial Arts
Instagram handle: @arielhelwani
IG followers: 1.3M
In their own words: “The last thing I want to do is sit on news. If you’re sitting on it, you’re not doing it right.” —Bleacher Report
Bottom Line: Ariel Helwani
Canadian Ariel Helwani has been the premier mixed martial arts journalist in the world over the last decade, and has been named MMA Journalist of the Year nine times.
Helwani ended up being one of the bigger stories in MMA in 2016 when he received a lifetime ban by UFC for reporting Brock Lesnar’s return to UFC 200 before the company could.
The ban was later lifted, and Helwani left MMA Fighting, which was part of SB Nation, and now works for ESPN, the UFC’s official broadcast partner.
3. Adam Schefter
Mark Tenally / AP Photo
Country: United States
Network: ESPN
Primary sports: NFL, NBA
Instagram handle: @adamschefter
IG followers: 1.7M
In their own words: “I don’t have all the answers. I don’t always do it right. I try hard, and you hope that it works out. It’s that type of thing that you develop a feel and an instinct for. You hope that it’s right. Sometimes it’s not. You just do the best job that you can and hope that it’s right more often than not.” —Michigan Daily
Bottom Line: Adam Schefter
John Konstantaras / AP Images for Courtyard
ESPN thought up a pretty appropriate, official title for Adam Schefter — Senior NFL Insider.
That comes as close as anything to describing what he does in NFL coverage (which is everything), and he’s been the go-to source for NFL breaking news for the last decade, replete with a stunning 7.7 million followers on Twitter.
Schefter is also the author of “The Man I Never Met,” a title that refers to his wife’s first husband, Joe Maio, who died in the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
2. Erin Andrews
Country: United States
Network: Fox
Primary sports: NFL
Instagram handle: @erinandrews
IG followers: 2M
In their own words: “I ran up to (Richard Sherman), and I said, ‘Take me through that play,’ and he started going off about Michael Crabtree. So after that all happened, he walked away, and I just sat there and was like, ‘Oh my God. Oh my God. I can’t believe that just happened. It was so freaking awesome.'” —popculture.com
Bottom Line: Erin Andrews
Erin Andrews is perhaps the most well-known sideline reporter of all time.
The University of Florida grad shot to fame in the early 2000s as a sideline reporter for ESPN’s college football coverage, eventually moving to Fox to cover the NFL and then hitting the mainstream as the host of ABC hit “Dancing With the Stars.”
If you want evidence of Andrews’ greatness, simply check out her epic postgame interview with Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman in 2014.
1. Diletta Leotta
Country: Italy
Network: DAZN
Primary sports: Soccer
Instagram handle: @dilettaleota
IG followers: 8.7M
In their own words: “What you see is often different from what the day-to-day job entails. A lot of my colleagues are just interested in their work and what happens on the pitch. But you know, Italy is glamorous on its own. It’s always better to have more arrows on your bow.” —NY Post
Bottom Line: Diletta Leotta
“More arrows on your bow” for Diletta Leotta means an ever-expanding media presence that includes high-profile work covering Seria A for up-and-coming streaming service DAZN after a stint covering Serie B for Sky Sport Italy.
Interest in Leotta’s every move has reached obsession levels in her native Italy, but she’s not just a pretty face. She’s also got a law degree from Rome’s Luissa University.