Laura Okmin Leaves Fox Sports After 23 Years

This year, Fox’s NFL broadcasts will definitely have a notable absence. Laura Okmin, the longtime sideline reporter, has announced her departure from the network after 23 years.

Okmin ranks as the third longest-serving sideline reporter in NFL history. She plans to shift her focus to her own initiatives, including Galvanized, which supports various opportunities for women both in football and sports professions.

Despite leaving Fox, she will still be covering the NFL Postseason and Super Bowl for Westwood One Radio Network.

“They sent me a contract. After printing it, I just sat there, and I thought, ‘It’s time. This is it,’” Okmin reflected. She called her boss, Jacob Ullman, who she describes as a friend, admitting he was quite surprised by her decision. “His reaction mattered a lot to me,” she added. “I would have been disappointed if it had been anything less than supportive.”

Having joined Fox in 2002, Okmin has covered over 20 Super Bowls, along with various NBA Finals, World Series, and MLB All-Star games. In the 2024 season, she worked alongside play-by-play commentator Kevin Kugler and analyst Daryl “Moose” Johnston.

Despite her extensive career, Okmin acknowledged a drawback to her high-profile role: “Honestly, justifying your work for two decades is quite the challenge,” she said. “You’re always fighting for your place, and it can feel like a marathon.”

With her company, Galvanize, she aims to empower women aspiring to enter broadcasting or currently navigating the sports industry. “Through boot camps and ongoing support, we’re building connections and confidence,” Okmin shared. “It’s all about helping each other tell our stories.”