7 Shocking Facts About Jane Skinner Goodell: From Fox News Anchor To NFL's 'Earnin' It' Trailblazer

Few public figures have navigated the worlds of high-stakes journalism, elite philanthropy, and the inner circle of professional sports with the grace and influence of Jane Skinner Goodell. While she is widely known as the wife of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, her own career is a testament to sharp intellect and a commitment to elevating women's narratives. This article, updated for December 2025, dives deep into her life after leaving the broadcast booth, revealing her surprising new ventures and the powerful legacy she is building outside of her husband's shadow.

Jane Skinner Goodell's journey from a prominent daytime news anchor at Fox News to an accomplished producer and advocate for women in the NFL is a captivating story of professional evolution. Her current work focuses on groundbreaking projects that challenge traditional gender roles in the sports industry, cementing her status as a power player in her own right. The following details provide a complete picture of her life, career, and significant influence.

Jane Skinner Goodell: Complete Biography and Profile

Jane Skinner Goodell has maintained a private profile despite her high-visibility career and marriage to one of the most powerful men in American sports. Her background is rooted in public service and journalism, providing a strong foundation for her later work.

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• Full Name: Jane Skinner Goodell (née Jane M. Skinner)
• Date of Birth: February 12, 1967
• Age (as of 2025): 58 years old
• Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Education: Northwestern University (B.A. in English), DePaul University (M.A. in Elementary Education)
• Father: Samuel K. Skinner (former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff)
• Spouse: Roger Goodell (NFL Commissioner)
• Marriage Date: October 25, 1997
• Children: Twin Daughters (born 2001)
• Known For: Former Fox News Anchor (Happening Now), Co-Executive Producer of the "Earnin' It" series, Board Member of the Dia Art Foundation.
• Career Status: Retired from broadcast journalism (2010), Active as a producer and philanthropist.

The Unexpected Pivot: From News Desk to NFL Producer

Jane Skinner's professional life took a significant turn in 2010 when she made the decision to step away from her highly successful career in broadcast journalism. At the time, she was a fixture on Fox News, co-hosting the popular daytime news program Happening Now alongside Jon Scott. Her decision was primarily driven by a desire to focus on raising her twin daughters and maintaining the privacy of her family life with her husband, Roger Goodell.

However, her retirement was not an end to her professional ambition. Instead, it marked a quiet but powerful pivot to a new role: television producer and advocate. Her most recent and impactful projects are centered on the theme of "groundbreaking women in sports," an initiative that directly leverages her journalistic skills and her unique access to the world of the National Football League (NFL).

The 'Earnin' It' Series: Highlighting Women in the NFL

The most current and significant project in Jane Skinner Goodell's portfolio is the "Earnin' It: The NFL's Forward Progress" series. Launched as both a television series and a companion podcast, this initiative is a direct response to the growing number of female professionals breaking barriers in the traditionally male-dominated sport.

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Skinner Goodell serves as a co-executive producer and co-host of the podcast alongside Sam Rapoport, the NFL's Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The series shines a spotlight on female coaches, scouts, operations staff, and executives who are making history across the league.

The project is a powerful example of topical authority, directly addressing the evolving landscape of sports and professional equality. By featuring women who are breaking the "grass ceiling," Jane Skinner Goodell is actively shaping the narrative around the NFL's commitment to diversity and inclusion. The project has been widely discussed, demonstrating her continued relevance in media production and advocacy.

A Life in the Public Eye: Career Milestones and Family Ties

Before her role as a producer, Jane Skinner built a formidable career in television news. Her path to Fox News was paved with years of on-the-ground reporting and anchoring experience. She earned a B.A. in English from Northwestern University and an M.A. in Elementary Education from DePaul University, showcasing a diverse academic background.

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Her early career included stints as a reporting correspondent for KBJR-TV in Duluth, Minnesota, and later as a general assignment reporter for KMOV-TV in St. Louis, Missouri. This local market experience sharpened her skills before she joined the national stage at Fox News Channel (FNC).

The Fox News Years: A Daytime Anchor Staple

At FNC, Skinner became a recognized face, known for her measured and informed delivery. She served as a general assignment reporter and eventually a daytime news anchor. Her co-hosting role on *Happening Now* was a significant highlight, where she covered a wide range of national and international news stories, solidifying her reputation as a reliable journalist before her 2010 departure.

The Goodell Family and Twin Daughters

Jane Skinner married Roger Goodell in 1997, a decade before he was appointed as the Commissioner of the NFL. The couple has remained notoriously private, a deliberate choice to shield their personal lives from the intense scrutiny that comes with the NFL Commissioner's position. They are parents to twin daughters, born in 2001, who have been successfully kept out of the media spotlight.

The family's commitment to privacy is a key aspect of their public image, a deliberate boundary that allows Jane Skinner to pursue her own interests while supporting her husband's demanding role. This balance between a high-profile marriage and a private family life is a testament to her disciplined approach to public relations.

The Art of Influence: Philanthropy and Contemporary Art

Beyond her media and sports-focused production work, Jane Skinner Goodell is a dedicated patron of the arts. This is another facet of her life that demonstrates her wide-ranging interests and influence outside of the sports world.

In 2016, Jane Skinner was appointed to the board of the Dia Art Foundation, a prominent institution dedicated to commissioning, collecting, and presenting art from the 1960s to the present. Her role on the board reflects her deep appreciation for contemporary art and her commitment to supporting cultural institutions.

Her involvement with the Dia Art Foundation, which has major exhibition spaces in New York City and Beacon, New York, allows her to contribute to the preservation and discussion of modern artistic movements. This philanthropic endeavor further establishes her as an influential figure within the New York social and cultural scene, separate from the NFL's sphere of influence.

In summary, Jane Skinner Goodell's trajectory from a respected news anchor to a powerful producer and arts philanthropist underscores a career defined by intentional choices and a desire to champion important causes. Her work on the "Earnin' It" series is a fresh, unique, and highly relevant project that showcases her ongoing dedication to telling the stories of women who are changing the game.