Feeney is an ESPN sports and lifestyle content creator and one of the most influential young voices in digital sports media, with more than 14 million followers across platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Snapchat. She gained national attention as the NFL’s first social media correspondent with the Washington Commanders in 2022, before joining ESPN in 2025, where she now contributes to shows like “College GameDay” and “Monday Night Countdown” while creating behind-the-scenes content for a new generation of fans.

“It's kind of crazy that five years ago, what I'm doing didn't really exist yet,” said Feeney. “I was the first social media correspondent for the NFL, which, at the time, I had no idea what that even meant. Now, you hear that term a lot, but to be one of the first and inspire so many other people…that's what it's all about to me.”

Pietruszkiewicz, director of sports communications and assistant professor of journalism, launched the YouTube series “What’s Your Story?” as an opportunity for professionals to share their expertise about the art of storytelling, the state of journalism and much more.
Prior to the taping, Feeney met with 16 female students for a small-group lunch in the Perlroth Boardroom, offering a more personal opportunity for conversation and mentorship. Students spoke highly of the experience, saying how meaningful it was to engage directly with someone in the field.

Speaking to a packed audience in the Open Air Studio, the conversation ranged from Feeney’s unconventional path from aspiring physical therapist to pioneering social media correspondent, to her whirlwind travel schedule, viral moments and her work with ESPN. During the interview, she shared candid advice on navigating self-doubt, building a personal brand, seizing opportunities in sports media, and balancing ambition with mental health and real-life relationships.

Feeney didn’t originally set out to work in sports or media. In high school, she envisioned a future in medicine, science or law before discovering a new path through content creation.
By 18, she had turned her social media presence into a business, launching her own LLC. Her perspective shifted again once she arrived at The Pennsylvania State University, where access to college athletics opened new creative opportunities.

Documenting behind-the-scenes moments with Penn State football became a turning point, one that helped her identify an untapped space in sports storytelling.

“That was a moment where I realized there was a gap,” said Feeney. “There was something I could do that wasn’t really being done yet. I was more excited to pioneer in this space. I think the fun part is that what works now might not work in five years, and I think I've learned that you constantly have to reinvent yourself, whether it's in sports or in social media or really any job on the creative side.”

A recurring theme throughout the conversation was initiative. Feeney emphasized that her career grew not from waiting for opportunities, but from creating them.

“I think when you work hard, people take notice. You can't wait for permission. You can't wait for someone to tell you exactly what to do or how to do it,” said Feeney. “You have to do it on your own first, and then people will take notice.”

She also stressed persistence in the early stages, even when growth feels slow or inconsistent.

“There were times I was posting every day and not seeing results,” she said. “But once something starts to gain momentum, you have to go all in.”

At the same time, she made a deliberate choice to keep her content brand-safe and sustainable long-term, a decision she believes paid off, even if it slowed her growth early on.
Students asked candid questions about the less glamorous side of content creation, including online criticism, burnout and the pressure of performance metrics.

“There’s always outside noise. People will always have something to say. But no one is as concerned with you as you think they are,” said Feeney. “As long as you love it and you have a core group of people, that’s all that really matters. It’s cringey until it’s not.”
On analytics, she encouraged balance and paying attention to performance without becoming consumed by it.

“Some of the stuff I put the most time into… doesn’t do the best, and a five-second clip of something completely random does better,” said Feeney. “You always have to put yourself in the mind of the viewer and ask yourself what is causing them to stay, what’s causing them to leave?”

Feeney described her role as a complement to traditional sports media, not a replacement. Her focus is on capturing moments that audiences might not otherwise see.

“Access is everything when you're filming something no one else has seen yet, that's where the value is,” said Feeney. “If you can show people something new, that’s what makes it special.”

Rather than breaking down plays or offering analysis, Feeney sees herself as a storyteller, someone who brings viewers closer to the experience of being there.

“Working in sports or just work in general, it's a marathon and not a sprint. I focus a lot on the lifestyle and storytelling aspect,” said Feeney. “The best moments are the ones that happen in real time and are very candid. That’s what I want to be known for.”

Feeney encouraged students, especially women interested in sports media, to pursue opportunities in the field and support one another along the way.

“There are so many more opportunities now… whether it’s social media, PR or production, there’s a space for everyone,” said Feeney. “And when we work together, so much more can be accomplished.”

Enjoy full episodes of “What’s Your Story” on YouTube. Click here.

Past guests include Baseball Hall of Famer Tim Kurkjian, NBC Sports Reporter Jimmy Roberts and ESPN SportsCenter Anchor Matt Barrie.