Michelle Smallmon is one of the most recognizable women in national sports radio, best known as a co-host of ESPN Radio’s flagship morning show, Unsportsmanlike. Her path from a small-town Illinois childhood to a national ESPN microphone has made her a frequently searched name among sports media fans, yet a lot of the information circulating online about her age, salary, and personal life is outdated or simply incorrect. This guide pulls together verified facts from ESPN’s own press materials, her university alumni feature, and reliable sports journalism outlets to give you an accurate, up-to-date profile.
Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Michelle Smallmon |
| Date of Birth | August 13, 1986 |
| Age | 40 years old (as of late 2026) |
| Birthplace | Belleville, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 7 inches (widely reported, unconfirmed by ESPN) |
| Education | Broadcast journalism degree, University of Illinois, Class of 2008 |
| Occupation | Sports radio host and former producer |
| Known For | Co-host of ESPN Radio’s Unsportsmanlike |
| Years Active | 2008 to present |
| Spouse | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 million to $2 million (unofficial estimate) |
| Social Media | X and Instagram, both @msmallmon |
Who Is Michelle Smallmon?
Michelle Smallmon is an American sports broadcaster who currently co-hosts Unsportsmanlike alongside Evan Cohen and Chris Canty, a weekday morning show on ESPN Radio that airs from 6 to 10 a.m. ET. Before landing this national platform, she spent years building her craft behind the scenes and on the air in St. Louis, Missouri, working with 101 ESPN.
What sets her apart from many sports media personalities is the length of her apprenticeship. She did not arrive on national radio overnight. She spent over a decade in production roles, local hosting duties, and event work before ESPN gave her a permanent national seat, which is part of why industry peers describe her as one of the more grounded, well-prepared voices in the format.
Family and Education
Michelle was born and raised in Belleville, Illinois, a city just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis. She is the only child of her parents, Tony and Robin Smallmon, and grew up immersed in St. Louis sports culture, regularly attending Cardinals and Blues games with her family.
She attended Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, where she was known as a standout soccer player before turning her focus to broadcasting.
Her academic path had an unexpected twist. According to a University of Illinois alumni feature, Smallmon originally planned to become a dermatologist. That plan changed quickly:
- She enrolled in a freshman chemistry course at the University of Illinois in 2004.
- She realized medicine was not the right fit for her strengths or interests.
- She pivoted to broadcast journalism and pursued it aggressively.
Once she switched majors, she applied for every internship her academic adviser sent her way. That effort paid off with experience on Monday Night Football broadcasts, work with Illini Productions, and an internship at KSDK, an NBC affiliate in St. Louis. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a broadcast journalism degree in 2008.
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Michelle Smallmon Career
Smallmon’s career followed a steady, methodical climb rather than a single lucky break.
- 2008 to 2009: She started as a news production assistant at KSDK in St. Louis, learning the fundamentals of live television and news operations.
- 2009 to 2015: She joined 101 ESPN in St. Louis, where she worked as a producer and on-air contributor across multiple signature shows for six years.
- 2015 to 2019: She moved into national ESPN Radio production, gaining experience with network-level programming and operations.
- May 2020 to September 2022: She returned to St. Louis and became co-host of Karraker & Smallmon on 101 ESPN, becoming the first woman to have her name attached to a show in the station’s history.
- 2022: She rejoined the national ESPN Radio network, initially contributing to weekend programming.
- September 5, 2023: She debuted as a permanent co-host of Unsportsmanlike with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty, the show that replaced ESPN Radio’s former morning lineup of Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams, and Max Kellerman.
Beyond radio, her career includes:
- Serving as the in-game host for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL
- Producing video content for St. Louis City SC of Major League Soccer
- Hosting live public events, including the St. Louis New Year’s Eve celebration at Ballpark Village and the USBWA dinner at the Missouri Athletic Club
- Sitting on the boards of the Young Professionals for the St. Louis Zoo and The Little Bit Foundation, a nonprofit focused on removing barriers to childhood education
How Did Michelle Smallmon Become Famous?
Her recognition grew gradually through consistent, high-quality work rather than a viral moment. Becoming the first woman with a named show at 101 ESPN raised her local profile significantly, and that track record made her a natural fit when ESPN Radio needed a permanent third voice for its national morning show in 2023.
How Old Is Michelle Smallmon?
Michelle Smallmon was born on August 13, 1986, which makes her 40 years old as of late 2026. Several older articles online still list her age as 37, 38, or 39 because they were written and never updated after an earlier birthday. Since her exact birth date is public, her current age can always be calculated directly from it rather than relying on outdated blog posts.
Michelle Smallmon Net Worth
Michelle Smallmon has not publicly disclosed her net worth, and ESPN does not release individual talent compensation details. Various entertainment and bio sites estimate her net worth somewhere between $1 million and $2 million, built from over 15 years of steady work in radio production, local hosting, national broadcasting, and paid event appearances.
It’s worth treating this figure as an estimate rather than a confirmed number, since no financial disclosure or verified report backs the specific range.
Michelle Smallmon Salary
Similarly, her exact ESPN Radio salary is not publicly confirmed. Estimates online vary widely, with some placing her annual earnings around $100,000 and others suggesting a broader range of $150,000 to $250,000 for a national morning show host role. National radio host pay typically depends on factors such as:
- Years of tenure with the network
- The show’s syndication reach and time slot
- Additional hosting, event, and appearance fees
Without an official statement from ESPN, any specific salary number should be read as an approximation.
Michelle Smallmon Wikipedia
Despite how often “Michelle Smallmon Wikipedia” is searched, she does not currently have a dedicated Wikipedia page. Most search results that appear to answer this query are actually bio aggregator websites or ESPN’s own press room, not Wikipedia itself. The most reliable sources for her official biography remain:
- ESPN’s press room bio page
- Her University of Illinois alumni feature
- Verified sports journalism coverage of Unsportsmanlike
If a Wikipedia page is created for her in the future, it would likely draw heavily from these same primary sources.
Michelle Smallmon Spouse
Michelle Smallmon has not publicly confirmed a spouse, husband, or partner. She keeps her personal relationship status largely private, and no credible report has verified a marriage. Readers should be cautious of sites listing a specific “husband” name for her, since several of these appear to be unverified or templated claims rather than confirmed facts.
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Michelle Smallmon Social Media
Fans can follow Michelle Smallmon on both X and Instagram, where her handle on each platform is @msmallmon. Her accounts typically feature:
- Sports commentary tied to her show
- Behind-the-scenes content from ESPN Radio
- Updates related to Unsportsmanlike and guest appearances
Follower counts on both platforms are estimated in the tens of thousands, though exact figures shift over time and are not officially published by ESPN.
Michelle Smallmon Fun Facts
- She originally planned to become a dermatologist before switching to broadcast journalism during her freshman year of college.
- She was a standout high school soccer player at Althoff Catholic High School.
- She became the first woman to have her name on a daily show in 101 ESPN’s history with Karraker & Smallmon.
- Her show co-hosts have coordinated Halloween costumes on air, including a Happy Gilmore themed group costume.
- She has served as in-game host for an XFL franchise, a role outside traditional radio work.
Michelle Smallmon Hobbies
While Smallmon keeps much of her personal life private, her public content and interviews point to a few consistent interests:
- Following St. Louis based sports teams, including the Cardinals and Blues
- Community and charity involvement through board positions with local nonprofits
- Live event hosting, which she has done for New Year’s Eve celebrations and sports banquets
Rise to Fame
Smallmon’s rise was built on patience. Rather than chasing an on-air role immediately after college, she spent years learning production, a decision that gave her a deep understanding of how a broadcast actually comes together. That foundation showed up later in her preparation and pacing as a host, qualities frequently mentioned by colleagues and industry coverage of her work on Unsportsmanlike.
Her local success in St. Louis, particularly the historic Karraker & Smallmon run, functioned as proof of concept for ESPN’s national programming team before they gave her a permanent national seat.
Future Plans and Goals
ESPN has not announced any upcoming changes to Smallmon’s role, and she has not publicly detailed specific long-term career goals. Based on her trajectory, a few reasonable expectations include:
- Continued growth of her national profile through Unsportsmanlike
- Potential additional television or digital crossover opportunities, following a pattern common among established ESPN Radio hosts
- Ongoing charity board involvement in the St. Louis community
Michelle Smallmon vs Other Personalities
Compared to other prominent women in national sports broadcasting, Smallmon’s path stands out for its length and production-heavy background.
| Personality | Primary Platform | Background |
| Michelle Smallmon | ESPN Radio | Producer to local host to national host |
| Sarah Spain | ESPN, various | Writer and reporter background |
| Katie Nolan | Fox Sports, digital | Digital and TV commentary focused |
Where some personalities entered national media primarily through writing or television, Smallmon’s foundation in radio production gives her a distinct, technically grounded approach to hosting live conversation.
Conclusion
Michelle Smallmon’s career reflects a slow, deliberate climb rather than a single breakout moment, from a production assistant role at a local news station to a historic hosting run in St. Louis and now a permanent seat on ESPN Radio’s national morning lineup. While many details about her personal life, exact salary, and net worth remain unconfirmed publicly, her professional history is well documented through ESPN’s own materials and credible sports journalism. As Unsportsmanlike continues to grow its national audience, Smallmon’s profile is likely to keep expanding right along with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Michelle Smallmon have a Wikipedia page?
No, she does not currently have an official Wikipedia page. Her verified biography is best found through ESPN’s press room and university alumni features.
How old is Michelle Smallmon in 2026?
She was born on August 13, 1986, making her 40 years old as of late 2026.
What show does Michelle Smallmon host?
She co-hosts ESPN Radio’s Unsportsmanlike with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty, airing weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. ET.
Is Michelle Smallmon married?
She has not publicly confirmed a spouse or marital status, and no verified report exists on this topic.
What is Michelle Smallmon’s net worth?
Her net worth is not officially disclosed, though unofficial estimates place it between $1 million and $2 million.
Where did Michelle Smallmon go to college?
She graduated from the University of Illinois in 2008 with a degree in broadcast journalism.
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