5 Shocking Truths About Erin Andrews' ESPN Exit And Her $20 Million Life Today

Erin Andrews is one of the most recognizable and influential figures in modern sports broadcasting, but her journey from an ESPN correspondent to a FOX Sports icon was anything but smooth. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, Andrews has successfully secured her status as a top-tier sports journalist, recently finalizing a lucrative contract extension with FOX Sports that keeps her on the sidelines of the biggest NFL games. Her career is a fascinating blend of high-profile success, personal adversity, and a constant drive for more, a mentality she admitted was never fully satisfied during her eight-year tenure at ESPN. The full story of her departure, her massive legal battles, and her current media empire reveals a level of resilience few in the industry can match.

Erin Andrews: Complete Career and Personal Biography

Erin Jill Andrews is an American sportscaster, television personality, and entrepreneur whose career has spanned two of the biggest sports networks in the world, ESPN and FOX Sports, alongside a prominent role in pop culture television.

• Full Name: Erin Jill Andrews
• Date of Birth: May 4, 1978
• Age (as of 2025): 47
• Place of Birth: Lewiston, Maine, U.S.
• Alma Mater: University of Florida (B.A. in Telecommunication, 2000)
• Spouse: Jarret Stoll (m. 2017), former NHL player
• Known For: NFL Sideline Reporter (FOX Sports), Former Co-Host of Dancing with the Stars, Former ESPN Correspondent, Co-Host of Calm Down with Erin and Charissa podcast.
• Career Highlights: ESPN (2004–2012), FOX Sports (2012–Present), 3rd Place on Dancing with the Stars (Season 10, 2010), Co-Host of DWTS (2014–2020).
• Estimated Net Worth: $20 Million (Combined with husband Jarret Stoll, as of 2024/2025).

The Real Reason Erin Andrews Left ESPN and Joined FOX Sports

Andrews spent eight years at ESPN, joining the network in 2004 and quickly rising to prominence as a correspondent and sideline reporter. Her initial roles included covering the Tampa Bay Lightning and serving as a sideline reporter for ESPN College Football Saturday Primetime and Big Ten college basketball games.

Despite her growing popularity, Andrews felt a constant pressure to achieve more at the network. She later revealed that her time at the network was marked by the feeling that "it was never enough."

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In 2012, Andrews made the pivotal career decision to leave ESPN and join FOX Sports. This move allowed her to expand her portfolio beyond college sports, taking on the role of lead sideline reporter for FOX's NFL broadcasting team, a position she has held for over a decade. The shift also coincided with her move into primetime entertainment, which further cemented her celebrity status.

The move to FOX Sports was a strategic one that allowed her to negotiate a broader role in sports media and pop culture, which included her highly visible co-hosting gig on ABC's Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). Her association with DWTS began after she placed third as a contestant on the show in 2010.

From Free Agent Scare to Lucrative New FOX Sports Contract

Heading into the 2025 NFL season, the sports media world was buzzing with speculation about Andrews' future. Her long-term contract with FOX Sports was set to expire after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season, making her a highly sought-after free agent.

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However, FOX Sports moved quickly to ensure that one of its most valuable on-air personalities remained with the network. In a major announcement, Andrews and her colleague Charissa Thompson both signed "lucrative contract extensions" with FOX Sports, securing their roles for the foreseeable future. This deal confirms her continued presence as the lead sideline reporter for the network's top NFL broadcasts, a role that reportedly earns her an annual salary of around $2 million.

Beyond the NFL sidelines, Andrews has successfully built a complementary media empire. She co-hosts the hugely popular podcast, Calm Down with Erin and Charissa, alongside Charissa Thompson. The podcast, launched by iHeartMedia, focuses on candid, unscripted conversations that go beyond sports, giving fans a deeper, more personal look into the lives of the two prominent sportscasters.

The Stalking Incident and $55 Million Civil Trial

A defining, yet horrific, chapter in Andrews' life occurred during her ESPN years. In 2008, a stalker named Michael Barrett secretly filmed her through a hotel room peephole in Nashville. The private, non-consensual video was then posted online, leading to a massive public ordeal and a years-long legal battle.

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The incident culminated in a highly publicized civil trial. Andrews sued the stalker, Michael Barrett, and the hotel owners for negligence. In 2016, a jury sided with Andrews and awarded her $55 million in damages, a landmark victory that brought significant attention to the legal and emotional impact of stalking and privacy violations.

Andrews has spoken openly about the lasting impact of the incident, stating that the ordeal severely affected her life and career. Her resilience in the face of this adversity became a powerful part of her public narrative, inspiring many and driving a conversation around personal safety and privacy in the digital age.

Overcoming Personal Battles and Embracing New Ventures

In addition to the trauma of the stalking incident, Andrews publicly shared her battle with cervical cancer in 2016. She underwent surgery and continued to work through her diagnosis and recovery, demonstrating immense strength and commitment to her career. This personal fight, which she won, further solidified her reputation as a formidable and resilient figure.

Her career trajectory is a testament to her ability to pivot and grow. While the public often remembers her initial breakout at ESPN, her post-ESPN career at FOX Sports has been far more successful and diverse. From the biggest football games to her candid podcast and her previous role on Dancing with the Stars, Andrews has successfully transitioned from a sideline reporter to a multifaceted media personality and entrepreneur. She remains a prominent fixture in sports media, continually setting a high bar for her colleagues and future generations of journalists.