Saying “yes” to every opportunity: Lindsy Peterson’s journey in sports media

In the fast moving world of sports media, Lindsy Peterson has built a career out of raising her hand and jumping in. Her early curiosity about how sports stories came to life grew into a journey through production rooms, social teams, digital sales floors and now a marketing leadership role at FanDuel Sports Network, where she oversees partnerships across three regions. Her path has been anything but linear, but that unpredictability is exactly what she loves about the industry. Every twist has given her a new skill, a new perspective and a new reason to keep chasing the energy of the sports world.

As a student athlete at SDSU, Peterson always felt at home in the world of sports. Paired with her passion for journalism and media studies, she recognized early on that she wanted to be an on-camera broadcaster and immediately began taking steps toward that path.

One of the first major turning points came when she connected with Tony Gwynn, Jr., whose established career in sports broadcasting made him an instant role model. Through that connection, Peterson was encouraged to pursue hands-on experience, which soon led her to FOX Sports where she worked as a production assistant. 

“I was thrown into a melting pot,” Peterson said. “That position opened my eyes to so many different avenues.”

Through exposure to different sides of the industry, Peterson began to spread her wings even further when she joined Valley Sports Network in 2023 as a part-time production assistant. After a few years in that role, though, the company went bankrupt, leading to significant reductions in staff and major changes across the organization. Rather than quit, Peterson used the upheaval as an opportunity to grow.

Peterson found herself increasingly drawn to the strategic and creative sides of marketing and production. As the company shifted and new gaps emerged, she leaned into the roles that needed support most, using the moment as a chance to broaden her skills and explore different corners of the sports media world. What started as curiosity soon became a clear direction, helping her grow beyond the limits of her original role.

“I made a great impression on the head of sales,” Peterson said. “I just raised my hand and said yes to every opportunity.”

Peterson said one of the most meaningful opportunities of her time at Valley Sports Network, now rebranded as FanDuel Sports Network, was producing the Clippers’ weekly show. The role allowed her to go beyond highlights and box scores and connect with athletes on a human level, capturing their personalities and stories outside the court.

“These guys are human beings just like you and I,” Peterson said. “I view people as who they are, not what they do.”

Peterson wants people to understand that although the sports industry often appears glamorous, everyone within it, from the players to the producers, is still human and navigating both good days and challenging ones.

Within the sports industry, things can be fast paced and unpredictable, which can make it harder to stay grounded, and this is something Peterson continues to navigate. To that, she emphasizes the importance of leaning on your support system and remembering not to take things too seriously.

“You get a new 24 hours tomorrow,” Peterson said.

Despite the challenges that come with staying grounded in such a demanding industry, Peterson loves the work she does and the people she gets to do it with. She hopes current SDSU students understand that there is no single path into sports media and that the most valuable experiences often come from being open, curious and willing to try something new.

Her time at SDSU taught her that every class, every conversation and every opportunity to step outside your comfort zone can shape your future more than you realize. She encourages students to use the resources available to them now, lean into hands-on learning and trust that the small choices they make today can lead to careers they never imagined.