Kaylee Hartung Secures Career Milestone as Super Bowl 2026 Sideline Reporter for NBC
In a significant career advancement, sports journalist Kaylee Hartung has been appointed by NBC as a sideline reporter for Super Bowl 2026. The monumental game is scheduled for February 8 in Santa Clara, California, where Hartung will cover the matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks. This assignment marks her inaugural Super Bowl appearance, positioning her alongside fellow reporter Melissa Stark on football's most prestigious global stage.
From CBS News to Prime Video: The Formative Journey of Kaylee Hartung
Kaylee Hartung's path to the Super Bowl sidelines began long before her NFL prominence. She launched her journalism career at CBSNews.com, serving as a reporter and correspondent. Her early professional experiences included working as an assistant to esteemed journalist Bob Schieffer and later as an associate producer on the acclaimed program Face the Nation. These foundational roles instilled in her the critical skills of maintaining composure under intense pressure and delivering precise, accurate reporting.
As her career progressed, Hartung expanded her repertoire across major networks, including ABC News, CNN, and ESPN. Each position enhanced her visibility and deepened her broadcast expertise. A pivotal moment arrived in July 2022 when she joined Prime Video as the sideline reporter for Thursday Night Football. This weekly role consistently placed her before millions of football enthusiasts, allowing her to refine her live game coverage abilities and build rapport with viewers through her steady, clear, and reliable reporting style.
Current Roles and the Significance of Super Bowl 2026
Today, Kaylee Hartung manages multiple high-profile media responsibilities. In addition to her Thursday Night Football duties with Prime Video, she became a correspondent for NBC's Today show in January 2023. She also contributes to NBC Sports, covering NFL playoff games. Super Bowl 2026 will notably be the second instance where NBC deploys two sideline reporters, underscoring the network's commitment to comprehensive, detailed on-field analysis.
For Hartung, this Super Bowl assignment symbolizes the culmination of years of dedicated effort and professional growth. In an interview with The New York Post, she revealed her preparation strategy, emphasizing the importance of rest and savoring time at her New York City apartment before her travel schedule intensifies. Her remarks reflect a blend of genuine excitement and humble acknowledgment of the opportunity. Super Bowl 2026 transcends being merely another game for Hartung; it serves as definitive validation that her persistent ascent in sports media has earned her a coveted position on the world's largest sporting platform.