The representation of Latina reporters in the NFL has been limited but is improving in recent years. This season marks a significant milestone for the Denver Broncos, as they have hired Elisa Hernandez as their first-ever Latina team reporter.
Despite the Broncos’ longstanding connection with a diverse fan base, the team had never had a Latina reporter until Hernandez, a Los Angeles native, joined their ranks. The organization has long engaged Latino fans through various outreach programs, community events, and celebrations honoring Hispanic heritage. Recently, the Broncos hosted the Vamos Broncos event during a home game, celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Empower Field at Mile High Stadium.
The addition of Hernandez as a voice for the Latino community reflects the Broncos’ commitment to fostering inclusivity and a vibrant culture within the organization. Hernandez expressed her excitement about her role, stating, “It feels surreal.”
Growing up in Los Angeles as one of four children, Hernandez often helped her father with cleaning jobs. Her parents emigrated from El Salvador during the Salvadoran Civil War, providing Hernandez with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by her family. Despite the hardships, sports played a crucial role in uniting them. As a child in the late 1990s, she became a fan of the Denver Broncos, despite Los Angeles lacking an NFL team at the time. “Being able to do what I love for the team that I’ve loved since I was a little kid is pretty special,” she shared.
Hernandez’s journey to her dream job was not without obstacles. After graduating from USC, she witnessed many of her classmates secure on-camera jobs right away. However, Hernandez remained undeterred. She honed her skills by gaining experience behind the scenes, starting her career as a ticker operator for the NFL, a job that involved managing the scrolling text providing scores and updates on television screens.
Her determination paid off as she worked her way up through various roles within the industry, ultimately gaining experience with nearly every sports team in Los Angeles, as well as various networks, including NFL Network and Telemundo Deportes. Most recently, she was an in-arena host for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Hernandez highlighted the significance of representation, recounting her experience hosting the first Salvadoran night at Dodger Stadium. “Seeing little brown girls there, watching me on the Jumbotron, and hearing our slang — it impacts them because they see themselves in me!” she noted.
As a first-generation Salvadoran, Hernandez is passionate about sharing her culture and hopes to inspire others from similar backgrounds. “I think being able to have this platform, I do it for them. They are my why. My family is my why. Representing my country, heritage, and culture is important.”