Laura Rutledge (née McKeeman) was a University of Florida graduate. Pursuing a career in broadcasting before becoming the renowned anchor of SEC Nation and the polished voice of NFL Live. Laura’s ascent to prominence in sports media has been anything but typical. The backstory is just as fascinating. Her husband, Josh Rutledge, a former Major League Baseball infielder, is at the heart of it all. His journey from high school baseball success in Alabama to professional sports—and now real estate and business—offers a unique storyline.

Josh Rutledge was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, in a close-knit Southern family. His talent on the baseball field showed early at Cullman High School. He led his team to a state title and was named Alabama 5A Player of the Year. Due to his achievements, he was accepted to the University of Alabama.

Josh made his Major League debut in 2012 after being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 2010 draft. He played with the Boston Red Sox, the Rockies, and the Los Angeles Angels for a while throughout the ensuing years. “The main difference between college and the pros is never knowing where you are going to be,” Josh said in an interview. “You are always traveling and you have to get used to a new team and build new team chemistry. The game itself stays the same, though.” Josh eventually decided to retire from baseball in 2018 due to injuries and the rigorous lifestyle of frequent travel. But like many athletes with a sharp mind for transition, he didn’t stay idle for long.

After hanging up his cleats, Josh worked as a financial counsellor at Wells Fargo for a while. Then next up? Property. He obtained his real estate license in 2022 and began closing deals in Connecticut and Massachusetts while maintaining his small-town Alabama spirit. The man also co-owns a Ford dealership, as if all that wasn’t enough. Because why not sell trucks between open houses?

In 2011, he met Laura during an Alabama football tailgate. Boom—love at first Bud Light. Laura Rutledge recalls that she had just “walked up to a random tailgate” that day, unaware that it would forever alter her course in life. The two quickly hit it off, dated for two years, and tied the knot on December 7, 2013.

With two successful careers, a strong marriage, and two gorgeous children—son Jack and daughter Reese—Laura and Josh have created a life that embodies modern Americana. And Laura frequently shares snippets of their home life on social media. Just real love and chaos in SEC country. “It’s so special to know that we are giving our daughter Reese a sibling, especially after going through a heartbreaking miscarriage in 2021,” Laura Rutledge told PEOPLE.

The family posts on social media and goes to events, but the Rutledges’ home is more cosy in Connecticut than the glitz and glamour. They go hunting, fishing and to football games on date nights. The beginning of it all, at a random tailgate under an SEC sky, is something they will never forget. Laura revealed, “@jarutledge and I went back to that exact same tailgate today for the first time since we met. We even found the same tent where it all started ❤️.”

But beyond the love story, Laura is a businesswoman in her own might.

Inside Laura Rutledge’s media empire & million-dollar momentum

Laura Rutledge reversed Josh’s tactful transition from baseball to business by putting her entire career in the spotlight and making it a prime time success. With the vigor of someone born to do this, Laura hurried from pageants (Miss Florida 2012, no big deal) to press boxes after earning a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Florida. She now commands a desk with football’s top voices and rarely gets tired doing it. Having gone from the SEC sidelines to anchoring NFL Live.

In a 2018 interview with SB Nation, Laura said of Josh, “He’s just always been a wonderful supporter of me and everything that I’m doing in college football, college baseball, whatever it may be. He’s been such a great encourager and I hope I’ve done the same for him.” Their careers don’t clash—they complement. Together, they’re a highlight reel of modern sports partnerships.

Let’s put chemistry aside for a minute and talk money. Laura’s precise ESPN compensation has not been made public. But considering that she hosts one of the network’s main programs during the week and oversees SEC Nation, she probably makes between $400K and $1m+ a year. Especially given her expanding involvement in NFL coverage.

An estimated $3–5 million is the Rutledge household’s net worth when you add Josh’s diversified income from his real estate, financial consulting, auto dealership, and MLB contracts. But don’t anticipate flashy flexing. Their principles are still based on community, family, and faith. As Christians, they have been outspoken about giving back and being thankful. Especially through groups like the Miracle League, which constructs baseball fields for kids with disabilities—a cause Laura passionately supports.

They’re not just a couple. They’re a brand of balance. Faith-driven, career-sharp, family-first. Less red carpet, more SEC parking lot. Less influencer, more impact. And in a sports world full of chaos? That might be their biggest flex yet.