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MJ Acosta-Ruiz

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  • Emmy Award-Winning Sportscaster
  • Host & Feature Correspondent, NFL Network - First-ever Afro-Latina reporter & host for the NFL Network.
  • Podcaster & Co-Host, 'El Huddle' - Celebrating Latino influence in the NFL.
  • Advocate for Women's Empowerment, Representation, Equality, and Marginalized Communities

Emmy Award-winning journalist and trailblazing sportscaster MJ Acosta-Ruiz is an acclaimed host and feature correspondent for the NFL Network. Acosta-Ruiz is the first ever Afro-Latina and woman of color to host a show at the NFL Network, Total Access, and as she is fully bilingual in English and Spanish, contributes across multiple platforms for NFL Mexico and NFL Español. She has covered sports, entertainment, and breaking news for over a decade, while advocating for representation and equality. Acosta-Ruiz recently co-hosted NBC Sports’ On Her Turf podcast, which highlights amazing women and allies who motivate people to be the best versions of themselves, and co-hosts NFL Network's El Huddle podcast - which celebrates Latino influence in the NFL. In her reporting, moderating, and as a keynote speaker, she shares her insights on overcoming obstacles, embracing your authentic self as part of the path to success, and amplifying the voices of marginalized communities to create a more just world.

In addition to her work as an award-winning journalist, Acosta-Ruiz works as an advocate for women’s empowerment and representation and equity for marginalized communities. She works closely with A Seat at the Table, a mentorship community for young women interested in careers in sports. Acosta-Ruiz is a sought-after speaker, sharing her inspirational journey and takeaways about strategizing for success, embracing what makes you different, and breaking barriers in her empowering talks. 

 



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MJ Acosta-Ruiz headshot
Virtual Moderating - Changing the Game: the NFL Pro Bowl Goes Virtual | Paley Center [32:39] - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with MJ Acosta-Ruiz
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Break Barriers and Blaze Trails

Drawing on her experience of being the first ever Afro-Latina and woman of color to host a major NFL show and working in a male-dominated field, MJ Acosta-Ruiz knows what it takes to overcome obstacles and rise to the top. Her success did not come easily and took a decade to make, refine and shine. ...

Drawing on her experience of being the first ever Afro-Latina and woman of color to host a major NFL show and working in a male-dominated field, MJ Acosta-Ruiz knows what it takes to overcome obstacles and rise to the top. Her success did not come easily and took a decade to make, refine and shine. Before her entrance onto the national scene, Acosta-Ruiz strategized her steps as if they were a military plan and then defeated rejection, insecurity, loneliness and even gender bias to reach her goal. Her inspirational story is one of hard work, endless preparation, and embracing what makes her different.

Embracing Your Authentic, Professional, Beautiful Self

As an Afro-Latina with a career in media, MJ Acosta-Ruiz opens up about her journey from being told how to look and present herself to the audience, to being an unapologetic curly hair advocate. For some it may seem trivial: “It's just hair. Who cares?” But for MJ it was about owning and loving what ...

As an Afro-Latina with a career in media, MJ Acosta-Ruiz opens up about her journey from being told how to look and present herself to the audience, to being an unapologetic curly hair advocate. For some it may seem trivial: “It's just hair. Who cares?” But for MJ it was about owning and loving what made her special and presenting her true and authentic self to the world. When she started her television career over 10 years ago, there was no scenario where she would be allowed to wear her curly, textured hair as it grew out of her head — none. A chemical hair relaxer was like a rite of passage for most of the women in her family, who were taught for generations to hide their pelo malo, or bad hair. It took MJ over 30 years, a lot of internal work, and self-love to get to a place where she felt confident in her own skin and in her own beautiful curly crown. In this talk, Acosta-Ruiz encourages and inspires everyone to present their true selves at work, and move past traditional beauty standards of professionalism.

MJ Acosta-Ruiz is a Gifted Moderator for Your Next Event

Emmy Award-winning journalist and trailblazing sportscaster MJ Acosta-Ruiz is a gifted moderator, asking thoughtful questions and cultivating powerful conversations on today’s biggest issues. With more than a decade of experience in journalism and entertainment, Acosta-Ruiz is the perfect choice to ...

Emmy Award-winning journalist and trailblazing sportscaster MJ Acosta-Ruiz is a gifted moderator, asking thoughtful questions and cultivating powerful conversations on today’s biggest issues. With more than a decade of experience in journalism and entertainment, Acosta-Ruiz is the perfect choice to make your next event or panel a memorable one.

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Speaker News
<p><strong>Emmy-winner MJ Acosta Ruiz is breaking barr</strong><strong>iers as a moderator and speaker </strong></p>

Emmy-winner MJ Acosta Ruiz is breaking barriers as a moderator and speaker

As the first and only Afro-Latina to host and report for the NFL Network, Emmy Award-Winning MJ ACOSTA RUIZ is breaking barriers in a male-dominated field. Best known for hosting NFL Total Access and NBC’s On Her Turf podcast, MJ shares her insights on achieving you goals, and overcoming obstacles all while amplifying the voices of marginalized communities to create a more fair and just world. Not only does Acosta Ruiz deliver inspiring talks and keynotes about becoming a trailblazer in her industry and embracing your authentic self, but she also puts her years of experience as a journalist to use skilled moderator who generates powerful conversations and thought-provoking discussions.

MJ is the co-host of NFL Network's El Huddle podcast - which is designed specifically for the LatinX fanbase and celebrates Latino influence in the NFL. Acosta-Ruiz is a highly in-demand speaker and moderator who inspires audiences of all kinds to not be afraid of crossing boundaries and to always be true to who you are no matter the circumstance.

Watch MJ moderate a discussion for the NFL Pro Bowl >>

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Press & Media
MJ Acosta-Ruiz on Bringing More NFL Coverage in Spanish to Latinx Viewers - Muse by Clio
EXCLUSIVE: Journalist Cari Champion & MJ Acosta Ruiz Partner With #CIROCStands: Celebrating Women In Sports Media - 21ninety
MJ Acosta-Ruiz tells story of two viral Latino 49ers' super-fan families [video] - NFL.com
#CIROCStands: How MJ Acosta-Ruiz & Cari Champion Are Changing the Sports Broadcasting Game for Black Women - Complex
Latina Powerhouse top 100: MJ Acosta-Ruiz - Hola!
MJ Acosta-Ruiz talks breaking barriers and blazing trails - Fox 11
MJ Acosta-Ruiz is the First and Only Afro-Latina Representing the Culture on the NFL Network - Hola!
A Bad Ass Afro-Latina You Should Know - BuzzFeed/Pero Like
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Biography

MJ Acosta-Ruiz is a Host and Feature Correspondent with the NFL Network, and former host of NFL Total Access. Acosta-Ruiz is the first ever Afro-Latina and woman of color to host a show at the NFL Network. Fully bilingual in English and Spanish she also contributes across multiple platforms for NFL Mexico & NFL Español. Acosta-Ruiz is the Co-Host of the NFL Network's El Huddle podcast, which is specifically designed for the LatinX fan base and celebrates Latino influence in the NFL.

An Emmy Award winning Sportscaster, Acosta-Ruiz joined NFL Network in 2018 from NBC and Telemundo in San Diego where she covered the Chargers, Padres and international soccer for three seasons in both English & Spanish language broadcasts as the lead sports anchor. Prior to joining NBC and Telemundo, Acosta-Ruiz spent three years as a reporter for WPLG, the ABC affiliate in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, covering sports, entertainment and breaking news.

A former Miami Dolphins cheerleader, Acosta-Ruiz graduated from Barry University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

With over a decade in the TV & Entertainment industry, the Emmy Award winning journalist continues her work as an advocate for representation and equality. MJ works closely with women’s empowerment groups such as A Seat at the Table, and is dedicated the amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.

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