Who Is Roger Goodell’s Wife? Ex-Fox News Anchor Jane Skinner’s Life, Career & Family

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has been married to former Fox News anchor Jane Skinner for over 25 years. Their journey began with a simple talk about football, but over time, it turned into a lifelong partnership filled with support, family, and shared values.

Who Is Roger Goodell’s Wife? Early Life & Education of Jane Skinner

Jane Skinner grew up in Chicago in a family deeply connected to politics and sports. She studied broadcast journalism at Northwestern University, earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Her passion for journalism started early, and she dreamed of becoming a TV news anchor.

Successful Career in Journalism

After graduation, Jane worked at TV stations in Minnesota, Maine, and Missouri. Later, she joined Fox News Channel as a correspondent and weekend anchor. She became well-known as the co-host of Happening Now with Jon Scott and also appeared on Fox News Live and Sunday Best.

In 2010, she surprised many viewers when she announced her retirement on live television. She said she wanted to focus more on her family and future projects.

Love Story with Roger Goodell

Jane first met Roger Goodell at a mutual friend’s wedding. At the time, she was focused on building her career and living in Milwaukee, while Goodell was working for the NFL in New York. She once told her mother she wasn’t interested at first because she was close to achieving her career goals in Chicago.

But Goodell’s kindness and patience changed her mind. Their first conversation was about football, and that unexpectedly started their bond. Jane eventually moved to New York, and the couple got married in 1997. Goodell became NFL Commissioner in 2006.

From News Anchor to Producer

After stepping away from the news desk, Jane Skinner moved behind the camera. Between 2019 and 2022, she produced several NFL-related projects that focused on women in sports. One of her first productions was A Lifetime of Sundays on NFL Network, a documentary about four influential women in the league — Norma Hunt, Virginia McCaskey, Martha Firestone Ford, and Patricia Rooney.

She also produced the podcast Earnin’ It: The NFL’s Forward Progress and a Peacock TV series with the same name, highlighting the growing roles of women in football.

A Family Rooted in Leadership

Jane comes from a respected family. Her father, Samuel K. Skinner, served as U.S. Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff under President George H.W. Bush. She grew up attending Chicago Bears games at Soldier Field with her father and brothers, which built her lifelong love for sports.

Family Life with Goodell

In 2001, Jane and Roger welcomed twin daughters. Unlike their parents, who are public figures, their daughters stay away from media attention. Jane often supports Goodell at major NFL events, including the NFL Honors and the Draft, which she calls his favorite event because it changes young players’ lives.