Today we’d like to introduce you to Hayley Lewis.
Hi Hayley , we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Sports have always been a part of who I am. I grew up in the Midwest as a coach’s kid, spending Friday nights on the sidelines watching my dad coach football and weekends cheering on my brother as he played. Some of my earliest memories are on football fields, in locker rooms, and around the incredible communities that sports create. Looking back, I realize those experiences shaped me long before I knew this could become a career.
I’m especially grateful for the women who came before me and continued breaking barriers in sports broadcasting. When I was a little girl in the 1990s, women were absolutely working in sports, but there weren’t nearly as many opportunities or visible career paths as there are today. Seeing how much the industry has evolved has been incredible, and I’m thankful I get to be part of this generation of women continuing to push it forward.
Ironically, I didn’t always know this was what I wanted to do. We moved around a lot growing up, and I actually started college as a voice major before switching to business. It wasn’t until I was given an opportunity to get in front of a camera that everything clicked. I realized I could combine my love of storytelling, my knowledge of sports, and my personality into one career. Once I found that intersection, I never looked back.
Since graduating in 2016, my career has evolved alongside the industry itself. I started in more traditional broadcasting, but sports media has changed dramatically over the past decade. Today, being a sports broadcaster and a content creator can go hand in hand. I love that I get to do both. Whether I’m hosting, reporting, interviewing athletes, or creating digital content from major events, every platform allows me to connect with audiences in a different way. I’m still learning every day because this industry never stops evolving, and honestly, that’s one of my favorite parts of it.
That willingness to adapt is also what brought me to New York City. I didn’t leave Kansas City because I wanted to leave home. Kansas City will always be home, and I still work there often. I moved because so many opportunities were already bringing me to New York that it made sense to be where the industry is growing and where I could continue challenging myself professionally. It’s given me access to incredible events and opportunities while still allowing me to stay connected to the city that raised me.
If there’s one common thread through my journey, it’s that I’ve never been afraid to bet on myself. Whether it was stepping in front of a camera for the first time, embracing the shift into digital media, or moving across the country for new opportunities, every leap has taught me something. I’m incredibly proud of where I came from, excited about where I’m going, and grateful that sports continue to be the thing connecting it all.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Definitely not. I think anyone who tells you building a career in sports media is a smooth road probably isn’t being completely honest.
Like a lot of people in this industry, I’ve dealt with rejection, uncertainty, and moments where I questioned whether I was on the right path. Sports media is incredibly competitive, and there isn’t one clear roadmap to success anymore. The industry has changed so much over the past decade that I’ve had to constantly evolve alongside it. What worked five years ago doesn’t necessarily work today, so learning to adapt has been one of the biggest challenges.
I’ve also had to become comfortable betting on myself. Whether it was creating my own content, taking on freelance opportunities, or moving to New York City to put myself closer to more opportunities, there were plenty of moments where there wasn’t a guarantee things would work out. Those decisions were exciting, but they were also scary.
Another challenge has been learning not to compare my journey to someone else’s. In an industry where everyone’s biggest moments are so visible, it’s easy to feel like you’re behind. Over time, I’ve realized that everyone has a different path, and success doesn’t happen on the same timeline for everyone.
Looking back, I’m actually grateful for the challenges because they’ve made me more adaptable and more confident in who I am. They’ve taught me to keep showing up, keep learning, and trust that consistency matters more than trying to chase someone else’s version of success.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a sports broadcaster, host, and content creator who specializes in making sports feel accessible, entertaining, and personal. While football has always been my foundation, especially covering the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL, I’ve been fortunate to work across so many different sports, from the NBA and MLB to soccer, college athletics, UFC, and more. I love that no two weeks in this career ever look the same.
Today, my work is a blend of traditional broadcasting and digital media. One day I may be hosting a show or interviewing an athlete, and the next I may be creating social content from a major sporting event or partnering with brands to tell stories in a way that feels authentic to my audience. That’s one of the things I love most about where the industry is today. There are so many ways to connect with fans, and I enjoy getting to do all of them.
What I’m most proud of is the trust I’ve built with my audience. Sports fans are incredibly smart, and they know when someone is being genuine. I’ve always tried to approach my work with curiosity, preparation, and authenticity. I don’t pretend to know everything, but I work hard, ask thoughtful questions, and genuinely love learning from the athletes, coaches, and people I meet along the way.
I also hope I’ve shown that there’s room to be yourself in this industry. I love sports, but I also love sharing pieces of my life outside of work, whether that’s navigating a move to New York City, traveling for events, or simply bringing people along for the ride. I think audiences today connect with people, not just highlights, and I’ve embraced that.
If there’s one thing that sets me apart, it’s that I don’t see sports as just scores and statistics. Sports are really about people. They’re about the stories, the emotions, the communities, and the moments that bring us together. That’s the perspective I try to bring to every interview, every broadcast, and every piece of content I create.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I think we’re already watching one of the biggest shifts the sports media industry has ever experienced. The lines between traditional broadcasting and digital media have almost disappeared, and I only see that continuing over the next five to ten years.
Audiences want content where they are, whether that’s television, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, podcasts, or platforms that haven’t even been created yet. Because of that, I think the most successful broadcasters will be the ones who can tell great stories across multiple platforms instead of relying on just one. Being able to host a live show, create engaging short-form content, interview athletes, and build a personal brand are all becoming part of the same job.
I also think authenticity is becoming more valuable than ever. Fans have so many options for where they get their sports news and entertainment. They aren’t just looking for highlights anymore. They want personality, context, behind-the-scenes access, and creators they feel like they know and trust. That’s changing the way all of us think about storytelling.
Technology will obviously continue to play a huge role, especially with AI helping streamline research, editing, production, and content distribution. But I don’t think technology replaces great storytellers. If anything, I think it makes human connection even more important. The people who will stand out are the ones who can build trust, ask thoughtful questions, and create content that genuinely connects with an audience.
Overall, I think the future is incredibly exciting. There are more opportunities than ever before to build a career in sports media, and there isn’t just one path anymore. That’s opening doors for people with different backgrounds, different voices, and different ways of telling stories, which I think is ultimately a win for both the industry and sports fans.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hayleylewis_sports/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hayleylewissports/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayley-lewis-975233114/
- Twitter: https://x.com/HayleyLewis_
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@hayleylewis_sports
