In a surprise move, ESPN’s Kaylee Hartung will reportedly be heading to CNN.
That’s according to The Big Lead:
Kaylee Hartung is leaving ESPN for CNN, a highly placed source with knowledge of the information tells The Big Lead. Unauthorized to speak publicly on the matter, the source requested anonymity.
This is unexpected on the surface; Hartung had seen her role within the ESPN family increase very quickly over the past few years, from her initial start at the Longhorn Network to the main sideline reporter during the SEC Network’s primetime game of the week, along with various other sideline duties.
The switch to CNN might seem to be incongruous, but Hartung’s background prior to her stint with ESPN was solidly in the world of political journalism:
Before crossing over to sports, Hartung spent five years in CBS News’ Washington Bureau. She produced, photographed and edited her own reports for CBSNews.com. She also worked as an associate producer for “Face the Nation” and assistant to the program’s host, venerable newsman Bob Schieffer.
Hartung graduated from Washington and Lee University where she majored in broadcast journalism and politics.
It’s pure speculation, but this move looks like it could be Hartung moving back to a field closer to her passions. It is also possible that she maintains a sports presence as well, as CNN shares a parent company with all the Turner Sports properties. Indeed, she’s worked there before, having covered things like the NCAA Tournament and the PGA Championship.
Twitter has so far been full of reactions that demonstrate how beloved she’s become, especially among SEC fanbases:
@bobfescoe Kaylee Hartung leaving ESPN makes my Friday slightly more sad.
— Brett Myers (@bamafan7) March 3, 2017
NOOOO!!! Please let this be fake news @KayleeHartung! BBN has come to rely on you. https://t.co/Xle1xg9Jss
— Michael Paul Clark (@UKDad21) March 3, 2017
NO!! Seems like a bad career move.
— Owen (@75toRupp) March 3, 2017
@KayleeHartung I heard your leaving ESPN for CNN If you are then congratulations for your new gig
— Jamal Lugo (@jamalnyc33) March 3, 2017
https://twitter.com/RSWalker97/status/837752979973365761
According to TBL’s report, she’ll start at CNN in April as a national news and feature correspondent. CNN will certainly not lack for viewership over the foreseeable future, given the current political climate, and if Hartung’s move really is a passion play of sorts, hopefully she gets what she wants out of it.
Plus, she could always come back to ESPN, a path traveled by various reporters and anchors before her.
