The NFL's Washington football team has hired Julie Donaldson to oversee all of its broadcasts as senior vice president of media, becoming the team's highest-ranking female executive, it was announced Tuesday.
Donaldson will be part of Washington's radio team, but she won't be doing play-by-play. Former play-by-play announcer Larry Michael retired last week amid allegations of sexual harassment, as detailed by the Washington Post.
Donaldson isn't directly replacing Michael, who held numerous roles in the organization, but she will be responsible for overseeing the broadcast operation. Her first task will be to hire a play-by-play announcer, and she will have power and input on content for the team's various broadcast platforms.
"It is with great humility and sincere appreciation that I accept this new role," Donaldson said in a statement. "This is a challenge I've been preparing and working towards for nearly 20 years in sports media, including the last decade in Washington. I am excited to join the organization as we begin a new era and I look forward to working with my new colleagues in making it stronger than ever."
Donaldson will become the first woman to be a regular on-air member of an NFL team's radio broadcast booth.
"Julie Donaldson is a trailblazing journalist who has worked on multiple award-winning shows and has a passion for sports in the DMV," team owner Dan Snyder said in a statement. "She has contributed countless hours of her time to work alongside Tanya [Snyder] and WOW (Women of Washington) to help raise awareness for breast cancer. She has been a staple in the community and I can't think of anyone better to lead our organization's in-house media and content into this new digital age."
Donaldson spent 10 years at NBC Sports Washington and was part of the pregame and postgame shows for the NFL team. She served a variety of roles with the station, including anchor, reporter and host.