Julianne Pelusi Biography: WNDU Sports Anchor & Notre Dame Coverage
Julianne Pelusi is a seasoned sports journalist with a rich career in broadcasting. She is currently serving as the Sports Director at WNDU-TV in South Bend, Indiana.
She joined the station in September 2023 and is the flagship NBC station’s lead for Notre Dame football coverage.
Prior to her role at WNDU-TV, her career included the following positions:
- Sports Anchor/Reporter at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, NY (November 2020 to June 2023). During her time there, she covered the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres extensively, the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, and NCAA Division I sports.
- Sports Anchor/Reporter at WTOV-TV in Steubenville, OH (October 2014 to July 2020). In this role, she produced and anchored multiple daily sportscasts and half-hour shows, covering a wide range of local and national sporting events.
- In-Game Host for the Pittsburgh Steelers (August 2018 to January 2019). She engaged with fans live on the stadium’s JumboTron and interviewed former players.
Julianne Pelusi holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Maryland – College Park (graduated December 2013).
Outside of work, she enjoys outdoor activities like skiing, boating, and golfing, as well as cooking Mediterranean dishes, solving puzzles, and, of course, watching sports.
Age:
Julianne was born on October 18 in Pittsburgh, United States, making her zodiac sign Libra. She holds American nationality and is of white ethnicity.
Parents and Siblings:
Julianne Pelusi grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a family deeply connected to sports.
Her father was the captain of the University of Pittsburgh’s football team, and her mother was the captain of the cheerleading team.
This athletic background likely influenced her passion for sports journalism.
She has a brother named Jono Pelusi, who has also made his mark in athletics. He competed in pole vaulting during his college career and achieved notable success.
Husband:
Julianne Pelusi has kept her personal life private, with no public confirmation of a husband or children.
She has not shared details about romantic relationships or family on social media or in interviews. Sources consistently note that she is very private, and there are no credible reports linking her to any relationships or children.
Her public presence focuses on her career in sports journalism, now as Sports Director at WNDU-TV, and her social media highlights her work and hobbies—not her personal life.
Height, Weight:
Julianne Pelusi’s height is reported to be between 5 feet 4 inches and 5 feet 5 inches (approximately 1.63 to 1.65 meters).
Career and Background:
Julianne graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2013.
She began her broadcasting career as a talk show host at WMUC Sports Radio in College Park, Maryland, developing and co-hosting a weekly sports talk program titled “Ladies Love Sports.”
She then served as a videographer for Terps TV and interned at WTOP News in Washington, D.C.
Subsequently, Julianne worked as a sports reporter for Metro Networks, covering teams such as the Washington Nationals, Washington Redskins, and Baltimore Orioles.
In September 2014, she joined WTOV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio, as a weekend sports anchor and reporter, where she led coverage of Ohio State football and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup runs in 2016 and 2017.
Julianne joined WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, New York, in November 2020 as a sports multi-skilled journalist.
Early Career and Education
Pelusi’s passion for sports journalism took root during her time at the University of Maryland, where she graduated from the Philip Merrill College of Journalism with a degree in broadcast journalism.
A Pittsburgh native raised in a football-focused family—her father and two uncles were captains of the University of Pittsburgh football teams—she was immersed in sports culture from a young age.
At Maryland, she co-created and co-hosted “Ladies Love Sports,” a weekly hour-long sports talk show on WMUC Sports Radio, honing her on-air skills and establishing her voice in sports media.
She also worked as a videographer for Terps TV, the university’s student-run production outlet, gaining hands-on experience in video production and storytelling.
Her early professional steps included internships that broadened her exposure to the industry.
In Washington, D.C., she served as a sports and news intern at WTOP News, a prominent all-news radio station, where she developed foundational reporting skills.
She also worked as a sports reporter for Metro Networks, covering major teams like the Washington Nationals (MLB), Washington Redskins (NFL), and Baltimore Orioles (MLB).
In this role, she conducted pre- and post-game interviews with athletes and coaches, sharpening her ability to deliver concise, impactful sports content under tight deadlines.
WTOV-TV (Steubenville, Ohio)
Pelusi’s first major on-air role came at WTOV-TV, an NBC and Fox affiliate serving the Steubenville, Ohio, and Wheeling, West Virginia, markets.
She joined the station after her internships and spent six years there, from approximately 2014 to 2020, as a weekend sports anchor and reporter.
During her tenure, she became a cornerstone of the station’s sports coverage, leading reporting on Ohio State University football and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup victories in 2016 and 2017.
She anchored a Friday night high school football highlights show and a Sunday night sports wrap-up program, demonstrating her ability to handle live broadcasts and connect with local audiences.
In 2018, she expanded her resume by serving as an in-stadium host for the Pittsburgh Steelers, engaging fans directly during games. Her time at WTOV solidified her reputation as a versatile and energetic sports journalist.
WGRZ-TV (Buffalo, New York)
In November 2020, Pelusi moved to WGRZ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Buffalo, New York, as a sports multi-skilled journalist (MSJ).
This role required her to report, shoot, and edit her own stories, reflecting the evolving demands of modern journalism.
Over nearly four years, until September 2024, she covered the Buffalo Bills (NFL), Buffalo Sabres (NHL), and a range of college and high school sports in Western New York.
Her work extended beyond traditional broadcasts to include digital content, such as online articles and social media updates, showcasing her adaptability in a multimedia landscape.
Pelusi’s tenure at WGRZ coincided with significant moments for Buffalo sports, including the Bills’ rise as AFC contenders, and she contributed in-depth reporting and analysis that resonated with the region’s passionate fan base.
WNDU-TV (South Bend, Indiana)
Pelusi’s most recent career move brought her to WNDU-TV, the NBC affiliate in South Bend, Indiana, where she debuted as Sports Director in September 2024.
Known as the flagship station for Notre Dame football coverage, WNDU offered Pelusi a high-profile platform to lead its sports department.
Her first major assignment was covering the Notre Dame vs. Ohio State game, a marquee college football matchup, which underscored her immediate impact in the role.
At WNDU, she oversees comprehensive sports coverage, with a heavy emphasis on Notre Dame athletics—football, basketball, and beyond—while also reporting on regional sports stories.
Her extensive experience with live reporting, deadline-driven content, and fan engagement has made her a natural fit for this prestigious position.
Julianne Pelusi has had a remarkable career in sports journalism, covering a wide range of notable events and stories:
- Notre Dame Athletics: At WNDU-TV, she has been at the forefront of covering Notre Dame football, providing live coverage and in-depth reporting on game days.
- Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills: During her time at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo, NY, she extensively covered the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres and the NFL’s Buffalo Bills, including live pregame and postgame reports.
- Ohio State Football: While at WTOV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio, she led coverage of Ohio State football, showcasing her ability to connect with fans and deliver engaging sports content.
- Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Runs: She reported on the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Stanley Cup victories, capturing the excitement and energy of these significant moments in sports history.
Here are Julianne Pelusi’s Colleagues:
- At WNDU-TV: Works with a dedicated team covering Notre Dame athletics and local sports.
- At WGRZ-TV: Collaborated with:
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- Adam Benigni
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- Danielle Church
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- Jackie Roberts
Net Worth and Salary:
Julianne Pelusi’s net worth is estimated between $1 million and $5 million as of 2025, based on her career in sports journalism, including roles at WTOV-TV, WGRZ-TV, and now WNDU-TV.
Her steady career progression, industry norms, and occasional side gigs contribute to this estimate.
Her salary as Sports Director at WNDU-TV is likely between $100,000 and $150,000 annually, based on her role, experience, and the prominence of the station in South Bend, Indiana. Previous salaries at WGRZ-TV were estimated between $45,500 and $110,500.
Is Julianne Pelusi Married?
Julianne Pelusi is very private about her personal life, and there is no publicly available information confirming her marital status or relationships.
How Old Is Julianne Pelusi?
Julianne Pelusi was born on October 18, but her exact year of birth is not publicly available. Based on available information, her age is estimated to be in her 30s or 40s.
Where Is Julianne Pelusi Working?
Julianne Pelusi is currently the Sports Director at WNDU-TV, the flagship NBC station for Notre Dame Football, located in South Bend, Indiana.
In this role, she leads coverage of Notre Dame athletics, provides live game-day reporting, and creates unique sports content by building strong relationships with coaches and administrators.
Julianne Pelusi is active on social media platforms, including Instagram and X (formerly Twitter).
Her Instagram handle is @jjpelusi, where she shares personal insights and professional updates.
On X, she uses the handle @JuliannePelusi, expressing enthusiasm for her alma mater, the University of Maryland Terps.
Her profiles reflect her engaging personality and dedication to her career in sports journalism.
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