Jen Hale returns as the Pelicans’ sideline reporter on Bally Sports New Orleans broadcasts, in addition to her duties as a sideline reporter for the NFL on Fox, studio host on Fox Sports 1 shows Skip and Shannon: Undisputed and Lock It In, and a contributing writer for FoxSports.com. Hale is an award-winning sports journalist who began her career as a political reporter and news anchor before returning to her passion of sports as a sports anchor for WVUE, Fox 8.

She has won multiple Edward R. Murrow Emmy, and AP awards throughout her career. Born in New Orleans, Jen grew up in Mobile, Ala., where she ran track, played softball and was a competitive gymnast. She returned to Louisiana to attend LSU’s Honors College where she majored in Political Science. Jen was a captain of the LSU Cheerleading Squad, Miss LSU, LSU Homecoming Queen, a member of Delta Zeta Sorority and the Golden Key Honor Society.

Jen earned her Master of Science in broadcast journalism from Northwestern University in Chicago. She also attended The Fund for American Studies’ Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University and completed a certificate on Irish Culture and Politics at University College Dublin in Ireland.

Jen published her first book, Historic Plantations of Alabama’s Black Belt, in 2009 and is now working on her second publication. She is also a RIAS Commission Fellow, spending several weeks in Germany and Belgium studying the German and European Union systems of government, press and trade.

Philanthropy is a big part of Jen’s life. From volunteering at Lafayette Academy Charter School, to serving on advisory board for the Son of a Saint organization, to returning to Baton Rouge to emcee the Miss LSU pageant, which benefits Alzheimer’s research and the Speech and Hearing Impaired Foundation, Jen is very active in the community. In 2015, Hale launched Sideline Pass, an organization aimed at educating and empowering young women to become strong, confident and successful leaders in a variety of fields.

Jen is a proud resident of the historic French Quarter. She enjoys running, cycling, cross fit and TRX. She also loves to ski and surf when vacations allow.