In July 2020, Julie Donaldson was at the gym working out, having to wear a mask because of the COVID restrictions.
She noticed her phone ringing and then ringing again, and it was her general manager at NBC Sports Washington. He explained the Washington Redskins had contacted him because Julie was still under contract. The football organization wanted to hire Julie and make her the first female regular on-air voice of the NFL Washington’s team radio broadcast.
Knowing what she had experienced and learned regarding the reputation of the organization her initial reaction was to not want to take the job. However, her general manager explained that this was quite a unique opportunity for Donaldson. These chances don’t come around frequently, as there are only so many teams. Donaldson conveyed to Commanders Wire he told her, “I think you should be open to it.”
Terry Bateman was the one officially reaching out, offering Julie the job. Following several conversations with those in and out of the organization, including both Dan and Tanya Snyder, Julie Donaldson accepted the challenge, becoming Washington’s new senior vice president of media and content.
The timing was crazy for Donaldson. The franchise was announcing the discarding of the team name “Redskins” since 1933 when the Boston Braves became the Boston Redskins. Training camp was beginning soon and the preseason was in just a few weeks.
Donaldson talked of how it was like she was thrown into the deep end right away, experiencing a baptism by fire. It was quite the rush getting things revamped as the Washington Football Team and in time for the regular season to begin.
She recalled how they suddenly needed new graphics, look, feel, “we definitely hustled to get things up in time for the season. Even more, “right away I had to get a team together and figure out whom I wanted with me.”
Chris Cooley had already previously shared with Julie that he would not be returning to the broadcast booth for the 2020 season, that decision having been made months earlier.
She quickly received hundreds of messages of congratulations and notes from many throwing their hat in the ring for the game-day broadcast analyst and play-by-play announcer positions.
One early contact was DeAngelo Hall. Julie had worked with Hall in previous years doing both pregame and postgame shows. Hall’s first TV shows had earlier actually been with Julie and seeing she already had a working relationship with Hall, and with Santana Moss as well, she felt these two former Washington players were good choices for her.
GAMEDAY LIVE with @juliedonaldson_, @DeAngeloHall23 and @RealBramW is coming up at 6 PM! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ng3fkZerBu
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 26, 2021
To be continued: Selecting a play-by-play announcer, other key members of her department, and growing in her role.
