When the Super Bowl lights up screens across the country, the spotlight is usually on the athletes, the halftime performers, and the brands dropping multi-million-dollar ads. But behind the scenes, there’s a powerhouse of talented Latinas whose vital work often go unnoticed.
From media executives to team reporters, their contributions aren’t just technical, they are also cultural. They bring a perspective that resonates with the millions of Latino fans tuning in, ensuring that the Super Bowl isn’t just big but inclusive and representative of the communities that love the game.
The women who make it happen
DRAFTED, the leading Latina sports culture company, sat down with these game-changing Latinas at its DRAFTED x Verizon Radio Row booth. Here is what they had to say:
Marissa Solis, SVP Global Brand & Consumer Marketing for the NFL
From her roots in Mexico to leading one of the world’s most iconic brands, Marissa Solis, SVP Global Brand & Consumer Marketing for the NFL shares her bold vision to keep the NFL relevant for generations to come.
“It is incredibly important for Latinx fans, for Latinos everywhere, to engage with our sport. We don't just want them to watch games, we want them to be part of the sport. And so the stories we tell are really about the community as a protagonist of the sport, like they are leading, they are building, they're contributing to the sport. They are a very active part of our sport. And so it's great to tell those stories. We want to truly engage with them at every level and have them give us the feedback, and interact with the sport, participate in the sport.”
Paola Mannan Brand Marketing Director at Fox Sports
The big game is typically broadcast in over 30 languages across various international networks, allowing viewers in many different countries to watch. Colombian-American Paola Mannan Brand Marketing Director at Fox Sports is confident that her bilingual capabilities makes a difference on game days.
"We've had instances where we have players that come from abroad, and we are doing interviews, and oh my gosh, like, who's going to translate, right? And so you have that one person that is either has French language, Spanish, obviously, you know German. So I believe being bilingual overall is just such a key asset to have in any field. But, you know, in sports, definitely. I mean, it's worldwide."
Elisa Hernandez, reporter for the Denver Broncos
Being a game-changer, usually goes hand-in-hand with being the first, something two-time Emmy award winner, Elisa Hernandez knows something about. She is the first Latina team reporter for the Denver Broncos.
"I do feel an honor, because I am very grateful that I'm the first. I don't want to be the last. I know what it is like to grow up and want to see yourself on TV. And if I can be that, just for one person, representing El Salvador is one of the things I really cherish, especially being first generation here in the US."
Breaking Barriers, Setting Standards
The influence of Latinas in sports isn't just about job titles—it’s about visibility. When young girls see women working behind the scenes of one of the world’s biggest sporting events, it signals that they, too, belong in this space.
Representation isn’t just about who’s on the field—it’s about who’s making the plays off it.The sports industry hasn’t always been welcoming to women—let alone Latinas. Yet, these trailblazers continue to carve paths for future generations, proving that leadership in sports isn’t exclusive to men.