Laura Okmin is a special kind of magician. Not the kind that we’re used to hearing-card and coin tricks and such. Laura, instead, is the third longest tenured sideline reporter in NFL history. And even though she often heard that her career will go downhill after turning 40, Laura loves to say (or shout!) that life just keeps getting more wonderful.
Join the conversation in comparing the sports broadcasting industry to the magic world, how women often “age out” of being in the spotlight, and the necessity to create a network of supportive sisterhood (and male allies).
She’s covered more than 10 Super Bowls, hosted Olympic coverage from the London, Sochi and Pyeongchang games, and reported from multiple World Series and NBA and NHL championships.Laura has worked for CNN, TNT/TBS Sports, hosted national shows on FSN and was a sideline reporter from the Orange and Fiesta BCS Bowl Games.
Laura started GALvinize over a decade ago in order to create a powerful network on women who work in all forms of broadcasting. Even though at first it was difficult to find women to participate, now the GALvinize Bootcamps fill up fast!
Wanting to create, develop, and own content, Laura started LO Productions in 2007 producing PROfiles, a 30-minute series introducing viewers to NFL personalities off the field which aired on FSN for two seasons.
She shares her life and love with her husband Michael Hagerty. Together they created a production company, OKERTY ENTERTAINMENT, which produces scripted and unscripted content for all screens – with messages they believe in. Laura and Michael live in Nashville with their much loved dogs Booyah and Cash.
Laura sits on the Board of Trustees of the University of Kansas William Allen White Journalism School and is on the advisory board of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission.
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