As ESPN celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month during tonight’s Monday Night Football game between the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets (8:15 ET, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, ABC), Front Row spotlights a new and dynamic voice: MJ Acosta-Ruiz.
Since joining ESPN in July, Acosta-Ruiz regularly anchors SportsCenter from Los Angeles and serves as the sideline reporter for ESPN Deportes’ Monday Night Football telecasts. She seamlessly balances her bilingual work, providing coverage in both English and Spanish while navigating the fast-paced, ever-changing world of sports media.
Acosta-Ruiz’ journey is as inspiring as it is impressive. In addition to her roles at ESPN, she still contributes to NFL Network (where she has worked in many roles since 2018), also runs her own production company and juggles various other projects.
FIVE things you may not know about @MJAcostaTV!
: @NFLTotalAccess every M-F (7pm ET) pic.twitter.com/wXZEwY5tXf
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) January 2, 2021
“Monday Night mode is pretty much all week,” she explains, highlighting the intensity of her schedule. Her days are filled with game preparation, meetings with coaches and players, and staying on top of NFL headlines, all while anchoring SportsCenter.
Despite her busy schedule, Acosta-Ruiz thrives on the challenges.
“The key is staying on top of everything and remembering which time zone I’m in,” she adds with a laugh, underscoring the complexity of managing multiple high-profile roles across time zones and platforms.
Front Row spoke with Acosta-Ruiz about her career path, how her Hispanic identity influences her work, and her advice for young journalists to break into the sports media industry.
How has your experience been stepping into these dual roles?
It’s been such an incredible journey. Getting to work both in the field and in the studio in both English and Spanish has been a mainstay of my career. Doing so at the highest level with ESPN has opened a whole new chapter.
Representation is everything. Having our sports fans and beyond see themselves reflected on the screen through me is an honor I carry with immense pride.
— Acosta-Ruiz on what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her
How does being bilingual shape your approach to your work, especially when connecting with both English and Spanish-speaking audiences?
I’ve never thought about it because it’s part of my daily life. I flow between both languages all day, every day, so it feels very normal to do so at work. The bigger picture is not lost on me. I think of having my parents watch me on national television in their first language. It’s really special.
What does it mean to you to represent the Hispanic community at ESPN, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month?
Representation is everything. Having our sports fans and beyond see themselves reflected on the screen through me is an honor I carry with immense pride.
As an Afro-Latina, how has this aspect of your identity influenced your career and perspective as a journalist?
I constantly say that many things can be true at once. Having an intersectional identity is still a new concept for many people. I hope to shed light on that aspect for those who are looking for a space to belong and for those who are trying to understand other cultures at a deeper level.
As someone who navigates multiple platforms and languages, what has been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
The reaction from the viewers is my favorite part. Whether someone is shocked that I also speak Spanish or that I’ve broken down a barrier to make one more sports fan feel like they belong, You’re always influencing someone’s experience of the game. It’s a big deal.
What advice would you give young journalists, especially those from diverse backgrounds, aspiring to have a sports media career?
“My advice is to lean in fully to what makes you, you. Your perspective is not only welcomed but necessary. Someone is waiting to see and learn from you. It’s a superpower. Own it!”
ESPN Deportes’ Monday Night Football coverage tonight will feature special content commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month. For more, visit ESPN Press Room
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