Michelle Smallmon’s rise in sports broadcasting is no small feat. After all, sports media has been a boy’s club for a long time.
Thankfully, the industry has evolved to make more room for women. Today, let’s discuss Michelle’s awe-inspiring journey from childhood to her national gig at ESPN.
Early Life
On August 13, 1986, a future sports media star was born: Michelle Smallmon.
Michelle grew up in a traditional American family. Her father, Tony, was a real estate agent and sports buff, while her mom, Robin, was a homemaker.
Michelle often traveled to St. Louis with her dad to watch Cardinals games. These outings nurtured her love for sports, primarily since she was tasked to keep scores!
At home, this interest continued to take root. Everyday chores became sports-related activities in the Smallmon household. Her father would turn mundane tasks like folding laundry into opportunities for sports talk. He also coached her in soccer in grade school.
Michelle spent hours watching football on TV, her eyes glued on the sideline reporters. One reporter caught her attention—Melissa Stark. Seeing her interview players planted a seed in her mind, where she saw a future version of herself.
Education
Michelle attended the Althoff Catholic High School. She played for the women’s volleyball varsity team and participated in extra-curricular activities.
After high school, she enrolled in pre-med at the University of Illinois. She initially wanted to be a dermatologist.
However, she soon realized that her true calling lay elsewhere. During a meeting with her advisor, she expressed her desire to work in sports journalism, particularly as a courtside reporter for basketball.
This was a huge turning point for Michelle. She eventually changed her major to broadcast journalism and gained valuable experience in sports reporting from working on the college radio station.
Career
Michelle Smallmon’s entry into sports media came during a challenging time. But despite the economic downturn, she got a job as a production assistant at KSDK, a local TV station.
Every day, she would arrive at the studios at 3:30 a.m. to prep for the morning show Today in St. Louis. She would stay late to assist sportscaster Frank Cusamano and sports director Rene Knott.
Her volunteer work paid off—she landed a role in the sports department, shooting and editing high school events.
Rise at 101 ESPN
Michelle’s transition to radio came unexpectedly. Despite her familiarity with the medium, she had never considered going on air until Rene Knott asked her to co-host his new weekend show on 101 ESPN.
Soon after, an executive at the station dangled an open producer position. Michelle thought she was a long shot, especially when she discovered it was for Bernie Miklasz’s show. But she made it to the final round.
Face-to-face with Miklasz, Michelle pulled a bold play. She told him that if the other candidates were as qualified as Miklasz claimed, they’d have no problem finding another job when she was hired instead. Miklasz seemed to love her confidence and hired her on the spot.
Michelle didn’t stay behind the scenes for long. She moved from producing to on-air, eventually joining The Fast Lane with Randy Karraker, D’Marco Farr, and Brad Thompson. After some time, Michelle decided she was ready for the big leagues.
ESPN Radio Gig
In 2015, Michelle moved to Bristol, Connecticut, to work as a producer for ESPN Radio. She collaborated with well-known hosts like Ryen Russillo, Danny Kannel, and Jorge Sedano. But despite the exciting opportunity, Michelle always felt a strong pull back to St. Louis.
Return to St. Louis and On-Air Success
When Russillo was set to leave ESPN, Michelle found herself at a crossroads. While discussing her options with ESPN, she received an unexpected call. Bernie Miklasz planned to change up his show and wanted to know if Michelle was interested in co-hosting.
Michelle saw this as the perfect opportunity to challenge herself and try on-air hosting. She returned to St. Louis and co-hosted with Miklasz.
When Miklasz left the station two years later, Michelle began hosting with Randy Karraker. Not long after, her name was added to the show title, making her the first woman to have her name on a show at 101 ESPN.
Michelle began hearing from female sports fans and parents whose daughters were inspired by seeing someone like them in such a prominent role. It was then that Michelle truly understood her impact on others.
ESPN Radio
Michelle yearned for new challenges despite her success. She began visiting friends in New York City monthly and gradually fell in love with the city. Eventually, she left her show in St. Louis and moved to New York, aiming to rejoin with ESPN.
This decision wasn’t easy. Her parents worried she was recklessly upending her life, but she was determined. She sublet an apartment from a friend and started working under a usage deal at ESPN Radio, delivering overnight updates and hosting SportsCenter All Night.
Michelle gave herself a year to land a full-time job in New York. And almost a year later, she debuted as a co-host on UnSportsmanLike, ESPN Radio’s new morning show.
Michelle now co-hosts UnSportsmanLike with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty on weekday mornings. The show leads off ESPN Radio’s refreshed national programming lineup and is also simulcast on ESPN2.
Personal Life
This prominent ESPN figure isn’t married yet. There have been no reports about her personal life. Michelle has kept her marital status and personal relationships highly private.
Net Worth
Michelle’s net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $3 million. This figure includes her ESPN salary and other potential income streams like endorsements, appearances, and partnerships.
Final Thoughts
From a small-town sports fan to a respected voice in sports broadcasting, Michelle’s success inspires millions of women.
When people ask if she’ll be the next Erin Andrews, Michelle’s response is clear: “No, I’m going to be the first and only Michelle Smallmon.”
