Michelle Smallmon is an American sports radio host best known as co-host of ESPN Radio’s national morning show, Unsportsmanlike. She began in television production in St. Louis, built a local radio career, and joined the national network in 2022. This guide covers her career, age, education, family, social accounts, and money questions, and it labels anything that reliable sources do not confirm.
Profile Summary
| Full name | Michelle Smallmon |
| Profession | ESPN Radio host, former radio producer |
| Best known for | Co-hosting Unsportsmanlike with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty; first woman with her name on a daily show at 101 ESPN (Karraker & Smallmon) |
| Date of birth | August 13, 1986 (widely reported, not published by ESPN) |
| Age | 40 in 2026, if that date is correct |
| Birthplace | Belleville, Illinois |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Illinois, broadcast journalism, class of 2008 |
| Years active | 2008 to present |
| Height | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net worth | Not publicly disclosed (third-party estimates of $1 million to $2 million are unverified) |
| Marital status | Not publicly discussed |
| Social media | @msmallmon on X; reportedly the same handle on Instagram |
Who Is Michelle Smallmon?
Michelle Smallmon is an American sports radio host who co-hosts Unsportsmanlike with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty on ESPN Radio, weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. ET. The show is simulcast on ESPN2 and heard on SiriusXM channel 80. She started behind the scenes in production, worked as a producer, and became an on-air host at 101 ESPN (WXOS) in St. Louis before moving to the national network. After about 18 years in broadcasting, she is known for a conversational tone and solid sports knowledge. Barrett Media described her as the laid-back voice who adds perspective while Cohen and Canty go back and forth.
Early Life and Childhood
Smallmon was born in Belleville, Illinois, in the St. Louis metropolitan area on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. She has said she is “Illinois through and through” and does not identify with Missouri. She credits her parents, Tony and Robin, for her early love of sports. They took her to Cardinals and Blues games, where she learned to keep score at Busch Stadium. She grew up a Rams fan and was heartbroken when the team left St. Louis for Los Angeles.
Michelle Smallmon Family and Education
Her parents are Tony and Robin Smallmon. Siblings are not publicly documented. Some bio sites call her an only child, but they cite no source.
She attended Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, then the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating in 2008 with a broadcast journalism degree. She arrived planning to become a dermatologist but changed course after a freshman chemistry class in 2004. She joined Block I and Orange Krush, held internships tied to Monday Night Football, Illini Productions, and KSDK in St. Louis, and credits professor John Paul for teaching practical industry skills. After graduation she moved home and found mentors at KSDK in sports director Frank Cusumano and anchor Rene Knott.
Michelle Smallmon Volleyball and Athletic Background
Reliable sources point to soccer, not volleyball. Terrain magazine called her a four-year varsity soccer player at Althoff, and a News-Gazette alumni profile described her as a former Althoff soccer standout. Several bio sites say she played volleyball, including at Illinois, but none of the reliable sources reviewed confirm that. The same goes for claims about a senior-year captaincy or a state tournament run. Treat those as unverified. Her athletic side later showed up in distance running, covered under hobbies below.
Michelle Smallmon Career
Her path moved from production to local hosting to a national morning show. It is the kind of behind-the-scenes climb that also shaped the careers of other national broadcasters, such as Kevin Corke.
| 2008 | Part-time production assistant at KSDK, St. Louis |
| 2009 to 2015 | Producer and on-air host at 101 ESPN (WXOS) |
| 2015 to 2018 | Producer for ESPN Radio in Bristol, Connecticut |
| 2018 | Returns to 101 ESPN to work with Bernie Miklasz |
| May 2020 to September 2022 | Co-host of Karraker & Smallmon with Randy Karraker |
| 2022 | Moves to New York; national ESPN Radio fill-in and weekend work |
| September 5, 2023 | Unsportsmanlike debuts with Cohen and Canty |
Career Beginnings in St. Louis
Smallmon’s first job after graduation was a part-time production assistant spot at KSDK. She worked from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m., writing scripts and running the teleprompter, then spent afternoons in the sports office learning from Cusumano and Knott. She covered high school football and hosted a segment on a Sunday night show.
When ESPN Radio arrived in St. Louis, Knott asked her to join a weekend show. A program director then asked her to produce The Bernie Miklasz Show. She later produced The Fast Lane, and ESPN’s official bio says she produced and appeared on air across several 101 ESPN shows from 2009 to 2015.
Transition to ESPN Radio
Smallmon made two moves to the national network. The first, in 2015, was a producer job in Bristol, working on shows with Jorge Sedano, Jen Lada, Danny Kanell, Ryen Russillo, and Will Cain. After returning to St. Louis in 2018, she left again in September 2022. She moved to New York without a full-time job, picked up a 30-show fill-in deal with ESPN Radio, and held side jobs to cover rent. ESPN says she returned to the national network as a host in 2022, mostly on weekend content. ESPN Radio then offered her the morning show, and she has said she first thought the offer was for the overnight shift.
How Did Michelle Smallmon Become Famous?
Her breakthrough came in May 2020, when 101 ESPN launched Karraker & Smallmon and she became the first woman to have her name on a show at the station. Her chemistry with Randy Karraker made it a St. Louis morning staple. The bigger jump came in 2023, when Unsportsmanlike gave her a national audience. Moments from the show, such as her “NFL Bachelorette” bit that ended with her adopting the Green Bay Packers, drew coverage from sports media outlets. Front Office Sports featured her story in November 2025.
Beyond Radio Roles and Podcasts
Smallmon has been the in-game host for St. Louis’s XFL team, the Battlehawks, and made video content for the MLS club St. Louis City SC. She has hosted live events, including the Ballpark Village New Year’s Eve party and the USBWA banquet at the Missouri Athletic Club, where she interviewed top names in college basketball. She has also co-hosted The Small Talk podcast and, in 2024, interviewed Illinois defensive back Xavier Scott for the College GameDay podcast. Unsportsmanlike is also available as a podcast.
What Is Unsportsmanlike with Evan, Canty and Michelle?
It is ESPN Radio’s flagship weekday morning show, airing Monday to Friday from 6 to 10 a.m. ET. It launched on September 5, 2023, replacing Keyshawn, JWill and Max. ESPN says it is simulcast on ESPN2 from 6 to 8 a.m., and Barrett Media reported in 2025 that it also airs on SiriusXM channel 80 and the ESPN app, with an ESPNU simulcast.
The hosts are Evan Cohen, a radio veteran of more than 20 years who came from SiriusXM, Chris Canty, a Super Bowl champion defensive tackle, and Smallmon. The show blends sports news, interviews, opinions, and humor, with NFL and college football among the regular topics. Guests in July 2026 episodes included Adam Schefter and Lil Wayne. It is produced at a studio at New York’s South Street Seaport.
How Old Is Michelle Smallmon?
Michelle Smallmon is 40 years old in 2026, based on the widely reported birth date of August 13, 1986. ESPN’s official biography does not list her birth date, so the date comes from secondary sources. A News-Gazette profile from November 2024 gave her age as 38, which fits that birth year. Using the reported date:
- Age 21 at graduation in 2008
- Age 33 when Karraker & Smallmon began in May 2020
- Age 37 when Unsportsmanlike debuted in 2023
- Age 39 in 2025, and 40 since August 2026
Michelle Smallmon Birthday and Date of Birth
Her reported birthday is August 13, which makes her a Leo. Many bio sites repeat August 13, 1986, but ESPN has not confirmed it. Other pages list different dates and even a St. Louis birthplace, and they cite nothing. She has also mentioned reaching her 30th birthday after moving to Connecticut for ESPN, which fits a mid-1980s birth year.
Michelle Smallmon Height and Physical Appearance
Her height is not confirmed by a reliable source. Some bio sites list 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters), but ESPN does not publish it. Her weight is not publicly disclosed, and hair or eye color has no reliable documentation worth repeating. On air, she comes across as calm and approachable, and her athletic background shows in her running.
Michelle Smallmon Net Worth
Michelle Smallmon’s net worth is not officially published, and ESPN does not disclose financial details. Third-party sites commonly estimate $1 million to $2 million after nearly two decades in broadcasting, but those pages cite no records. Other sites publish higher or lower ranges. Treat every figure as an estimate, not a verified number.
Michelle Smallmon Income Sources
Documented work that likely generates income includes ESPN Radio hosting, earlier producing and hosting at 101 ESPN, live event hosting, in-game hosting for the Battlehawks, and video and podcast work. What she earned from any of it is not public. Bio sites that list exact dollar amounts for endorsements, speaking, or podcast appearances do not source them, so this article leaves them out. Her early New York months, with a 30-show fill-in deal and side jobs, show she did not start with a guaranteed national salary.
Michelle Smallmon Salary
ESPN has not disclosed her salary, and no contract is public. Unsourced pages cite figures around $100,000 per year, while others claim far higher numbers. Pay for a national radio co-host depends on syndication reach, market size, and tenure, so estimates vary widely. Without an official source, the honest answer is not publicly disclosed.
Michelle Smallmon Wikipedia
As of October 2026, no standalone Wikipedia biography appears to exist for her. Her name does appear in Wikipedia’s article on Randy Karraker, which mentions their show. The primary source for her career is the ESPN Press Room biography, which documents her shows, her 101 ESPN history, and her University of Illinois degree. Many “Wikipedia” pages about her are content-farm sites with errors. Some list her on Keyshawn, JWill and Max, a show Unsportsmanlike replaced, and some give conflicting birthplaces. Other media personalities are in a similar position: journalist Brianna Lyman, for example, is also documented mainly through employer bios and news coverage rather than an encyclopedia entry.
Michelle Smallmon Personal Life
She keeps her personal life private. She lives in New York City, was raised by Tony and Robin Smallmon, and has served on charity boards. No reliable source documents partners or children. The “NFL Bachelorette” bit was a joke about picking a new football team, not a romance. Sites that claim she is dating someone give no sourcing, so this article does not repeat them.
Michelle Smallmon Spouse
No spouse, fiance, or partner is publicly confirmed. Smallmon has not discussed her relationship status in the interviews and profiles reviewed. Any site that names a husband is unsourced.
Michelle Smallmon Social Media
She uses the handle @msmallmon on X, which a University of Illinois alumni profile links to. A 2022 podcast episode description lists the same handle for Instagram. Follower counts and verification badges change and vary by site, so they are not stated here. Her ESPN Press Room bio also carries follow links.
Michelle Smallmon Broadcasting Style
Smallmon’s on-air style is conversational and measured. Barrett Media called her laid back, someone who lets Cohen and Canty run and then adds reason and a different angle. She has said she does not need the spotlight, and her years as a producer shaped how she thinks about building a show. The show’s stated goal is levity for people getting ready for their day, which pairs her old-school production habits with a modern, humorous voice.
Michelle Smallmon Achievements and Recognition
- First woman to have her name on a daily show at 101 ESPN (Karraker & Smallmon, 2020 to 2022)
- National morning show co-host on ESPN Radio since September 2023
- Board service with The Young Professionals for the St. Louis Zoo and The Little Bit Foundation
- Profiled by Front Office Sports in November 2025 and by the University of Illinois alumni series in 2024
Breaking Barriers: First Woman at 101 ESPN
Sports talk radio has long been described as male-dominated, and ESPN’s bio calls her name on the Karraker & Smallmon title a first in the station’s history. On Unsportsmanlike she is the lone woman among the three hosts, according to Barrett Media. Whether her path has opened doors for other women is not documented, so this article does not claim it.
Michelle Smallmon Fun Facts
- She is the first woman with her name on a daily show at 101 ESPN.
- She started behind the camera as a KSDK production assistant.
- She once planned to be a dermatologist.
- She learned to keep score at Cardinals games at Busch Stadium.
- She was in Block I and Orange Krush at Illinois.
- She hosted the Ballpark Village New Year’s Eve celebration.
- She chose the Packers as her new NFL team on air and later visited Lambeau Field.
- She wore an alligator costume for a Happy Gilmore Halloween bit in 2024.
- She was nicknamed Midwest Michelle, according to a Terrain magazine interview.
Michelle Smallmon Hobbies
She is a devoted St. Louis Cardinals and Blues fan, loves travel, and attends live sporting events. Running is her best-documented hobby. She set a goal of 50 half-marathons in 50 states for charity, and she has run the New York City Marathon as part of the V Foundation’s Team V. She has also talked about doing the 75 Hard fitness program during the pandemic.
Charity and Community Work
She has served on the boards of The Young Professionals for the St. Louis Zoo and The Little Bit Foundation, which works to remove barriers to learning. Her 50-states running goal raised money for local charities. As a Team V runner she said she wanted to use her platform to raise money for cancer research through the V Foundation.
Rise to Fame
Her rise was gradual. She spent roughly a decade in production and part-time on-air work, with early mornings and fill-in shifts. Co-hosting with Miklasz in 2018 gave her a full hosting role, Karraker & Smallmon in 2020 gave her a named show, and Unsportsmanlike in 2023 put her on the national stage. The move from St. Louis to New York with no job lined up, and the side work that followed, shows the cost of that long apprenticeship.
Future Plans and Goals
No future projects have been publicly announced. Unsportsmanlike remains part of ESPN Radio’s weekday lineup, which ESPN updated in its August 2026 schedule, with the ESPN2 simulcast continuing. Anything beyond that, such as new shows or expanded event hosting, would be speculation.
Michelle Smallmon vs Other Personalities
Smallmon’s route is less common than the columnist or on-camera paths below.
| Michelle Smallmon | ESPN Radio morning co-host | Production assistant, producer, local host, national radio |
| Sarah Spain | Hosts the Good Game women’s sports podcast | Chicago blogger and radio guest host, then 15-plus years at ESPN |
| Molly Qerim | Hosted First Take from 2015; left the show and ESPN in 2025 | Digital and news roles at ESPN, then hosting |
| Dianna Russini | NFL reporter; left The Athletic in April 2026, no new employer announced as of September 2026 | Local TV in Washington, then ESPN, then The Athletic |
Conclusion
Michelle Smallmon’s story is one of steady, earned progress: a part-time production job at KSDK, years of producing, local hosting at 101 ESPN, and the national stage with Unsportsmanlike. Her age, education, and career milestones are well documented, while her net worth, salary, and relationships are private, and any figures you see are estimates, not confirmed facts. Her credibility comes from production work, local hosting, and national syndication, and her audience has kept growing into 2026.
FAQs
How old is Michelle Smallmon in 2026?
She is 40, based on the widely reported birth date of August 13, 1986. ESPN has not published it.
What show does Michelle Smallmon currently host?
She co-hosts Unsportsmanlike on ESPN Radio with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty, weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. ET.
Is Michelle Smallmon married?
No spouse is publicly confirmed. She keeps her relationships private, and no reliable source reports a husband.
What is Michelle Smallmon’s net worth?
It is not officially disclosed. Unofficial estimates of $1 million to $2 million circulate but are unverified.
Where did Michelle Smallmon go to college?
She went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated in 2008 with a broadcast journalism degree.
When is Michelle Smallmon’s birthday?
Her reported birthday is August 13, which makes her a Leo. ESPN has not confirmed it.
Who are Michelle Smallmon’s co-hosts?
Her Unsportsmanlike co-hosts are Evan Cohen and Super Bowl champion Chris Canty.
Where is Michelle Smallmon from?
She is from Belleville, Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.
How tall is Michelle Smallmon?
Some sites list 5 feet 7 inches (170 centimeters), but no reliable source confirms her height.
What is Michelle Smallmon’s salary at ESPN?
It is not publicly disclosed. Industry estimates vary and are unsourced.
Did Michelle Smallmon play sports?
Yes. Reliable sources say she played four years of varsity soccer at Althoff Catholic High School. Volleyball claims are unverified.
Does Michelle Smallmon have children?
No children are publicly confirmed, and she keeps her personal life private.
Is Michelle Smallmon on Instagram?
She reportedly uses @msmallmon on Instagram and on X. Check the accounts directly for verification.
What shows has Michelle Smallmon worked on?
She has worked on The Fast Lane, The Bernie Miklasz Show, Karraker & Smallmon, and Unsportsmanlike, and co-hosted The Small Talk podcast.
Matthew is a creative writer with 4 years of experience crafting engaging blessing and pun-based blogs. He now brings joyful wordplay, positivity, and thoughtful humor to Pungrace.com, inspiring smiles and meaningful moments through every line he writes.
1 thought on “Michelle Smallmon: Age, Career, Family, Net Worth, and Wikipedia Facts”