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Seasoned NFL Fox broadcasters Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson delved into the challenges of intertwining personal relationships with professional pursuits in the sports industry.
During their podcast Calm Down, the hosts opened up about their dating life when it comes to athletes.
Thompson, 41, and Andrews, 45, shared their experiences with dating athletes, shedding light on the complexities of mixing business with personal connections.
Thompson revealed, “I have dated athletes, but never anyone that I was covering at the time. So I don’t know, it feels like a tricky situation.” Her confession echoed the nuances of maintaining a fair and unbiased professional stance while navigating a romantic relationship within the sports realm.
Erin Andrews, a prominent figure in sports broadcasting and married to former NHL star Jarret Stoll, chimed in with her perspective. She acknowledged that dating a professional athlete can often be “looked down upon” within their industry due to potential conflicts of interest.
Andrews astutely pointed out, “I think it depends on what your job is. It’s hard because in an everyday job, say if you were a contractor. I don’t know if it is as looked down upon as it is in our world. It kinda sucks, there is always this preconceived notion. It just sucks.”
The seasoned broadcasters’ insights resonated with those familiar with the industry’s inner workings. Thompson further shared her hesitation in pursuing romantic relationships with athletes due to potential misconceptions.
Thompson revealed, “I didn’t date an athlete for the longest time because of that exact thing. It was like, ‘Oh, that’s the only reason you’re doing this job because you want to date the athlete.’ No, it’s actually a good freakin’ job, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and you make great money.”