Julie Stewart-Binks to join ESPN as MLS sideline reporter

Julie Stewart-Binks was part of the Canadian wave along with Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole that came to the United States when Fox was building Fox Sports 1, later rebranded to FS1. And after being part of the Fox Sports update desk, hosting Fox Soccer Daily (remember that?) and reporting on the 2014 Winter Olympics and the NHL for  the first incarnation of Fox Sports Live, Stewart-Binks found her niche as being a reporter on the Women’s World Cup, the CONCACAF Gold Cup and MLS.

Now after amassing thousands of miles crisscrossing the continent as a soccer sideline reporter, Stewart-Binks now moves over to Bristol, CT and ESPN to become a sideline reporter on its MLS package. In addition, she’ll be on the sidelines when ESPN airs US Men’s and Women’s National Team games. She’ll make her ESPN debut in March 2017 when the MLS season kicks off.

If you watched MLS Cup 2016, then you saw Stewart-Binks on the sidelines for Fox in her native Toronto.

In the official announcment, JSB sounded excited to join ESPN:

“I am very excited to join ESPN, covering soccer on a network that continues to show its dedication, passion, and excellence in covering a plethora of soccer news and stories across diverse platforms,” said Stewart-Binks. “Through its coverage of soccer, ESPN continues to excel at showcasing a commitment to sports journalism.”

And ESPN senior coordinating producer Amy Roseenthal was happy to have Stewart-Binks on board:

“Julie is one of the best reporters in soccer with a strong grasp of the nuances of the sport and an exceptional understanding of the relevant information fans need,” said senior coordinating producer Amy Rosenfeld, who oversees ESPN soccer content. “We welcome Julie to our team and as a fan of her work, I look forward to her contribution on every match telecast.”

Stewart-Binks began her career on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada and also worked on CTV before joining Fox in the United States.

[ESPN]