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Jenny Taft

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Jenny Taft
Taft in 2022
Born (1987-09-05) September 5, 1987 (age 37)
Edina, Minnesota
EducationBoston University
Occupation(s)Sports television personality
Sideline reporter
Years active2011–present
Notable creditSkip and Shannon: Undisputed
Spouse
​
(m. 2015)​
Children1

Jenny Taft (born September 5, 1987) is an American sports television personality who works as a lead college football sideline reporter on Fox broadcasts. Her broadcasting career began with the Fox Sports North (FSN) regional affiliate. Taft is also a pit reporter for BattleBots on the Discovery Channel and served as the moderator on Fox Sports 1's Undisputed.

Early years

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Taft was born on September 5, 1987, in Edina, Minnesota.[1][2] She attended Edina High School, graduating from the school in 2006.[3][4] Taft then attended Boston University, where she played lacrosse.[5] She majored in Broadcast Journalism and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 2010.[3]

Broadcasting career

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Fox Sports North

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Taft's broadcasting career began with Fox Sports in 2011.[6] This early period of her career saw her fill a "Fox Sports Girl" role,[7] as she served as a Fox Sports North sideline reporter for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA.[8][9] During her time as an FSN Girl, she was also a social media contributor for Minnesota's Timberwolves, Twins, and Wild sports teams, as well as an in-stadium/arena host at Twins and Wild games.[9] Taft attributed her success later in her career in part due to getting on-camera repetitions at FSN.[10]

Fox Sports

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In August 2013, she was promoted to join FS1's news and highlights update team.[8] She served as a track reporter for a 2013 Supercross event, which was her debut assignment at FS1.[11] She also served as a reporter for the U.S. women's national soccer team (USWNST) at the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.[7][11]

Taft got her start in college football reporting in 2014, as part of FS1's game coverage.[11] In 2017, Taft was elevated to lead college football sideline reporter, alongside play-by-play commentator Gus Johnson and analyst Joel Klatt.[12][13] Her role at FS1 expanded considerably, as she has additionally covered the NFL, MLB, and the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.[6]

In 2018, she served as a fill-in host and moderator on various FS1 programs.[11] That summer, it was announced that Taft would be succeeding Joy Taylor as the moderator of Skip and Shannon: Undisputed, hosted by Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe.[6][14] Shortly after, on September 5, FS1 debuted CFB: Inside Slant, a weekly college football show hosted by Taft.[14] In addition to taking on these new positions at FS1, she retained her college football sideline reporting duties for the 2018 season.[14] In 2020, she was a sideline reporter for Fox Sports' coverage of XFL games.[15] In 2022, Taft signed an extension at Fox Sports but left Skip and Shannon: Undisputed after going on maternity leave in February.[16] Taft also got into a verbal dispute on air with Skip Bayless after Bayless made critical comments about Dallas Cowboys' coach Mike McCarthy based on his body weight and appearance.[17]

She again served as a reporter for the USWNST for the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cups.[11] She also served as a reporter during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[11]

Personal life

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Taft is the daughter of John Taft, a former professional ice hockey defenseman and member of the United States men's national ice hockey team at the 1976 Winter Olympics.[18] In 2015, Taft married Matt Gilroy, also a former NHL defenseman.[18] On December 4, 2021, Taft revealed that she was pregnant with a due date the following March.[11]

References

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  1. ^ Michael Kosta (September 7, 2017). "Worst Birthday 103, Jenny Taft, September 5th". Worst Birthday (Podcast). Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  2. ^ McGuire, Mary (March 2012). "Edina's Fox Sports North Girls". Edina. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Griggs, Halley Quillinan (September 23, 2014). "Where Are They Now? Boston University's Jenny Taft". Inside Lacrosse. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  4. ^ Mohamed, Yasin (January 2022). "Sports Success". Edina Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  5. ^ Fee, Gayle; Vanni, Olivia (August 19, 2013). "The Lowdown: Fox Sports 1, Jenny Taft, Regis Philbin and more…". Boston Herald. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  6. ^ a b c Maaglio, Tony; Maas, Jennifer (June 7, 2018). "Joy Taylor Leaves FS1's 'Skip and Shannon' for 'The Herd'; Jenny Taft Named New 'Undisputed' Moderator". TheWrap. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Sunday Q&A: FSN alum Jenny Taft is working World Cup". Star Tribune. June 6, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  8. ^ a b Justin, Neal (August 29, 2013). "Lynx reporter gets big promotion". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Jenny Taft to join FOX Sports Live's news update team". Fox Sports North. Fox Sports. August 28, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  10. ^ Rand, Michael (September 1, 2021). "Edina's Jenny Taft: From 'FSN Girl' to a big role at Fox Sports 1". Star Tribune. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Jenny Taft | Fox Sports PressPass". Fox Sports PressPass. Fox Sports. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  12. ^ Pryor, Brooke (November 11, 2017). "Q&A with Fox sideline reporter Jenny Taft". NewsOK. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  13. ^ McCarthy, Michael (June 7, 2018). "FS1 is bringing in Jenny Taft to moderate Skip Bayless, Shannon Sharpe on 'Undisputed'". Sporting News. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  14. ^ a b c Koster, Kyle (August 31, 2018). "Jenny Taft to Host Weekly College Football Show on FS1". The Big Lead. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
  15. ^ BSM Staff (7 February 2020). "Jenny Taft & Brock Huard Join Fox XFL Broadcasts". barrettsportsmedia.com. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  16. ^ Ryan Glasspiegel (11 January 2022). "Jenny Taft expected to leave 'Undisputed' with new Fox Sports deal". nypost.com. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
  17. ^ Cancian, Dan (August 12, 2021). "Fox Sports Host Slams Skip Bayless for Criticizing Mike McCarthy's Physical Appearance". Newsweek. Retrieved October 20, 2022. So, I don't think that's a fair shot. [...] And I'm allowed to have an opinion, Skip. I am allowed to say whatever I want to say on this show, as you do, too.
  18. ^ a b Allen, Matt (November 11, 2017). "Matt Gilroy, thriving in the KHL, now expected to become go-to player for U.S. Olympic team". USA Today. Retrieved February 4, 2019.


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