Michelle Smallmon is an American sports radio host, broadcaster, and media personality best known as a co-host of ESPN Radio’s national morning show “Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle.” The Belleville, Illinois native rose through local St. Louis sports media before earning a coveted seat at the national table in 2023. Smallmon is also recognized for her in-game hosting work with the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks and her commentary across ESPN platforms.
Michelle Smallmon Wikipedia
| Field | Details |
| Full name | Michelle Smallmon |
| Gender | Female |
| Date of birth | August 13, 1986 |
| Age | 39 years old (as of June 2026) |
| Place of birth | Belleville, Illinois, USA |
| Current residence | New York City, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Religion | Christianity (Catholic upbringing) |
| Sexual orientation | Straight |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 143 lbs (65 kg) |
| Hair colour | Brown |
| Eye colour | Hazel |
| Marital status | Single |
| Spouse | N/A |
| Children | None |
| Parents | Tony Smallmon and Robin Smallmon |
| Alma mater | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
| Profession | Sports radio host, broadcaster, media personality |
| Net worth | Estimated $1 million – $2 million |
| Social media | Instagram, X (@msmallmon) |
Who is Michelle Smallmon?
Michelle Smallmon is a sports broadcaster who anchors one of the most listened-to morning shows in American sports radio.
She co-hosts “Unsportsmanlike” with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty, which airs weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. ET on ESPN Radio.
Before her national breakthrough, Smallmon spent more than a decade building her name in St. Louis media.
She made history at 101 ESPN by becoming the first woman to have her name on a show title at the station, co-hosting “Karraker & Smallmon” from May 2020 to September 2022.
She combines on-air hosting with deep production experience, having worked behind the scenes at ESPN Radio’s Bristol, Connecticut headquarters earlier in her career.
How old is Michelle Smallmon? Age and birthday
Michelle Smallmon is 39 years old as of June 2026. She was born on August 13, 1986, in Belleville, Illinois, which places her zodiac sign as Leo. She turns 40 in August 2026.
She grew up on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River, in what locals call the Metro East region, and has often described herself as “Illinois through and through.”
Michelle Smallmon’s height, weight, and body measurements
Michelle Smallmon stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, which converts to around 170 centimetres. She weighs an estimated 143 pounds (about 65 kilograms), though she has not publicly confirmed exact figures.
She has brown hair and hazel eyes, with a slim, athletic build that suits her on-camera and in-game hosting work. Her exact body measurements and shoe size are not publicly documented.
Education and early life
Michelle attended Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Illinois, where she was a standout soccer player. She originally planned to study medicine and pursue dermatology.
A freshman chemistry course at the University of Illinois changed her mind. She pivoted to broadcast journalism and graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2008. During college, she interned with “Monday Night Football,” Illini Productions, and St. Louis NBC affiliate KSDK.
Michelle Smallmon’s career
Smallmon’s career in sports media began the same year she graduated, just as the 2008 financial crisis hit traditional media outlets hard.
Early career at KSDK and 101 ESPN
She landed a part-time production assistant job at KSDK in St. Louis, working the 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift writing scripts and running the teleprompter. She then volunteered her afternoons in the sports department, mentored by Frank Cusumano and Rene Knott.
When ESPN Radio launched in St. Louis, Knott invited her onto a weekend show. She soon became producer for local sports columnist Bernie Miklasz and worked at 101 ESPN from 2009 to 2015.
ESPN Radio Bristol and return to St. Louis
Smallmon then spent roughly three years as a producer at ESPN Radio’s national headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. She returned to St. Louis to co-host “Karraker & Smallmon” with Randy Karraker on 101 ESPN from May 2020 through September 2022, becoming the first woman with her name on a show title at the station.
She also served as in-game host for the XFL’s St. Louis Battlehawks and produced video content for MLS side St. Louis City SC.
National role at ESPN Radio and “Unsportsmanlike”
Smallmon rejoined ESPN’s national network in 2022, contributing primarily to weekend programming. On September 5, 2023, she debuted as a permanent co-host of the network’s flagship morning show “Unsportsmanlike” alongside Evan Cohen and Chris Canty. The show broadcasts from a studio at New York’s South Street Seaport.
She has hosted high-profile live events including the USBWA college basketball dinner at the Missouri Athletic Club and St. Louis’ New Year’s Eve party at Ballpark Village. She also appears on the “College GameDay” podcast for on-campus interviews.
What is Michelle Smallmon’s net worth and salary?
As of 2026, Michelle Smallmon’s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $2 million, according to multiple media tracking outlets. She has not publicly confirmed these figures.
Salary at ESPN
She reportedly earns an annual salary of around $100,000 to $150,000 from ESPN Radio for her morning show co-hosting duties, with estimates varying by source.
Income sources
Her income streams include her ESPN Radio contract, freelance hosting work for live events, her past in-game hosting deal with the XFL Battlehawks, and digital and video projects with brands like St. Louis City SC. She also draws income from podcast appearances and brand partnerships across Instagram and X.
Is Michelle Smallmon married? Husband, dating history, and children
Michelle Smallmon is single as of June 2026. She has not publicly confirmed any husband, fiancé, or long-term partner, and there is no verified record of past engagements or marriages.
She keeps her dating life largely private and rarely shares personal relationship details on her radio show or social media accounts. Smallmon has no children.
Family background
She was raised by her parents, Tony Smallmon, a real estate broker, and Robin Smallmon. The family bonded over St. Louis Cardinals baseball games at Busch Stadium and St. Louis Blues hockey games, where Michelle learned to keep score as a young girl.
Social media presence
Michelle Smallmon is active on Instagram as @msmallmon and on X (formerly Twitter) as @msmallmon. She uses both accounts for sports commentary, behind-the-scenes content from “Unsportsmanlike,” travel photos, and her ongoing journey as a new Green Bay Packers fan, a team she officially adopted in 2024 after a parody segment on her show.
Fast facts about Michelle Smallmon
- She originally wanted to become a dermatologist before switching to broadcast journalism in her freshman year of college.
- She was a soccer standout at Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Illinois.
- She is a proud University of Illinois alumna and was a member of both Block I and Orange Krush student sections during her time on campus.
- She made history as the first woman to have her name on a show title at 101 ESPN St. Louis.
- She covered the iconic 2004–2005 Illinois men’s basketball team led by Dee Brown and Deron Williams as a student fan.
- She arrived for her first day on “Unsportsmanlike” with a black eye that had to be covered with makeup.
- She has served on the boards of The Young Professionals for the St. Louis Zoo and The Little Bit Foundation.
- She publicly switched NFL allegiance from the departed St. Louis Rams to the Green Bay Packers in 2024 through a parody of “The Bachelorette.”
- She worked at a New York jewellery store while subletting an apartment before landing her full-time ESPN morning show role.
- She now lives full-time in New York City near the South Street Seaport, where her show is produced.
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Wrapping up
Michelle Smallmon’s path from a part-time production assistant at a St. Louis TV station to a national ESPN Radio morning host is one of the more relatable success stories in modern sports media.
At 39, she anchors a top-rated morning show, holds an estimated seven-figure net worth, and continues to build her brand through live event hosting, digital video, and active social media engagement.
Her career trajectory in 2026 points toward an expanded national profile across radio, podcasts, and television.
References
- ESPN Press Room. “Michelle Smallmon Bio”.
- News-Gazette / University of Illinois 150 Years. “Michelle Smallmon Profile”.
- Legit.ng. “Inside Michelle Smallmon’s journey from radio to sports journalism”.
- Awful Announcing. “Michelle Smallmon details black eye on ‘Unsportsmanlike’ debut”.
- Yahoo Sports. “ESPN Radio Host Grabs Attention With Vacation Photos”.
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