Michelle Smallmon is an American sports radio host and cohost of ESPN Radio’s morning show Unsportsmanlike. She was born on August 13, 1986, which makes her 40 years old in 2026. Fans search her name for age, career path, salary and relationship status.
This guide covers all of it. You get verified career facts, clearly labeled estimates and zero guesswork. Where details are private, you’ll see not publicly disclosed instead of rumors.
Who Is Michelle Smallmon?
Michelle Smallmon is an ESPN Radio host and former producer from Belleville, Illinois. She cohosts the national weekday morning show Unsportsmanlike from 6 to 10 a.m. ET.
Her path runs through St. Louis sports media. She produced and hosted at 101 ESPN, then moved to the national network. Along the way, she became the first woman to have her name on a show at 101 ESPN. That milestone still defines her local legacy.
Quick Facts About Michelle Smallmon
| Information | Details |
| Full Name | Michelle Smallmon |
| Profession | Sports radio host and broadcaster |
| Date of Birth | August 13, 1986 |
| Age | 40 years (2026) |
| Birthplace | Belleville, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Illinois Urbana Champaign |
| Degree | Broadcast journalism |
| High School | Althoff High School (reported) |
| Height | About 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm), reported |
| Weight | About 143 lbs (65 kg), reported |
| Spouse | Not publicly disclosed |
| Children | Not publicly disclosed |
| Marital Status | Publicly reported as single |
| Estimated Salary | About $100,000 per year (estimated) |
| Estimated Net Worth | $1 million to $2 million (estimated) |
| Current Employer | ESPN Radio |
| Current Show | Unsportsmanlike |
| Social Handles | Active on social platforms under her name, official handles not confirmed here |
Michelle Smallmon at a Glance
Here’s the short version.
- She hosts ESPN Radio’s national morning show.
- She holds a broadcast journalism degree.
- She worked at 101 ESPN in St. Louis for years.
- She made station history in 2020.
- She keeps her private life out of the spotlight.
Early Life and Family Background
Michelle Smallmon grew up in the Metro East region near St. Louis. Her early years were rooted in the Illinois side of the river. Sports filled her childhood. That passion later shaped her career.
Public details about her youth are limited. She rarely shares family stories on air. So you won’t find a long list of verified childhood anecdotes. That restraint is common among broadcasters who prefer to keep the focus on the show.
Childhood and Hometown
Her hometown is Belleville, Illinois. The city sits roughly 15 miles east of downtown St. Louis. It’s a sports loving area with deep Cardinals roots.
Growing up there put her inside a major baseball market. Radio talk about local teams was part of daily life. That backdrop likely fed her early curiosity about sports media.
Parents and Family
Her parents are reportedly Tony and Robin Smallmon. Several biography sites list them. ESPN has not published a family profile to confirm it.
Michelle has not named siblings in public interviews. Treat any sibling claims online with caution.
Growing Up in Missouri
Michelle was born in Illinois but built her identity around St. Louis, Missouri. The city is only minutes from her hometown. Many Metro East families live, work and cheer in Missouri.
Her first big broadcasting chances came there. She later hosted a St. Louis morning show. So Missouri shaped her professional voice even though Illinois is her birthplace.
Education
Michelle Smallmon earned a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Illinois. ESPN’s official biography confirms it. The degree gave her a base in reporting, writing and audio production.
That training shows in her work. She moves easily between producing, hosting and live event emceeing.
High School
Reports name Althoff High School in Belleville as her high school. Some profiles say she played volleyball and did well in class. ESPN hasn’t confirmed those details.
Catholic schools in the area are known for strong academics and athletics. It fits the sports centered path she took.
College and Academic Background
She studied at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Her major was broadcast journalism. The school is a popular launchpad for media careers.
Her education gave her a clean path into sports radio. She started in production, which is a common entry point. Then she moved on air. That order matters. Producers learn how a show actually runs, so they become sharper hosts later.
| Education Detail | Information |
| University | University of Illinois |
| Major | Broadcast journalism |
| Degree Type | Bachelor’s (reported) |
| High School | Althoff High School (reported) |
Michelle Smallmon Age and Birthday
Michelle Smallmon is 40 years old in 2026. She was born on August 13, 1986. Her 40th birthday landed in August 2026.
Some older articles still say 37 or 39. Those pages are outdated. Always check the birth year against the current date.
Date of Birth
Her date of birth is August 13, 1986. She was born in Belleville, Illinois. Multiple biography sources list the same date.
Zodiac Sign
Her zodiac sign is Leo. Leos are often described as confident and expressive. Fans like to say that suits a morning radio host. It’s a fun fit, though it’s only astrology.
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Michelle reportedly stands about 5 feet 7 inches and weighs around 143 pounds. These numbers come from biography sites. ESPN has not published them. Treat them as approximate.
Height
Her reported height is about 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). That’s slightly above the average for American women.
Weight
Her reported weight is around 65 kg (143 lbs). Weight changes over time. No official source confirms the figure.
Eye and Hair Color
Her eye color is not publicly disclosed. Her hair is commonly seen in a brown or darker shade in public photos. That’s an observation and not a confirmed fact.
Fitness and Lifestyle
She appears to stay active and health focused. Reports and video titles point to her training for the New York City Marathon. Running a marathon takes months of steady work.
That discipline matches her early alarm clock. Morning radio hosts often wake before sunrise. Routine helps.
Michelle Smallmon ESPN Career
Michelle Smallmon works for ESPN Radio as a morning show cohost. She started as a producer and worked her way to the mic. Her rise took more than a decade.
You can split her career into local and national chapters. Both mattered. The local chapter built her voice. The national chapter gave it reach.
Early Broadcasting Career
She began in St. Louis sports radio around 2009. ESPN’s bio says she spent four years at 101 ESPN from 2009 to 2015. She produced and appeared on air across several signature shows.
Production work teaches speed. You book guests, cut audio and keep the clock moving. That behind the scenes grind built her credibility.
Joining ESPN
Michelle joined the national ESPN Radio network after her first stint in St. Louis. She reportedly relocated to Bristol, Connecticut, to produce at the national level. Bristol is ESPN’s headquarters.
She later alternated between the local station and the national network. That back and forth gave her range. She understood both a city audience and a national one.
Career Highlights
Her biggest highlight is the 2020 morning show Karraker & Smallmon. She cohosted it with Randy Karraker on 101 ESPN from May 2020 to September 2022. She became the first woman to have her name on a show in the station’s history.
Other highlights include:
- In game host for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL
- Video work with St. Louis City SC of MLS
- Host of the New Year’s Eve party at Ballpark Village
- Interviewer at the USBWA dinner at the Missouri Athletic Club
- Guest appearances on national television
Popular Shows and Podcasts
Her best known show is Unsportsmanlike. Before that, she hosted Karraker & Smallmon. Some sources also mention podcasts such as Small Talk and a soccer focused show. Those details are less consistent, so verify them before citing.
| Show | Platform | Role |
| Unsportsmanlike | ESPN Radio | Cohost |
| Karraker & Smallmon | 101 ESPN | Cohost |
| Weekend ESPN Radio programs | ESPN Radio | Host (from 2022) |
Current Role at ESPN
She currently cohosts Unsportsmanlike from 6 to 10 a.m. ET. Her partners are Evan Cohen and Chris Canty. ESPN calls it the network’s signature morning show.
Old articles list her with Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Max Kellerman. That’s outdated. The Unsportsmanlike lineup is the current one.
The show mixes news, sports debate and humor. Guests rotate through each week. Michelle often brings the St. Louis point of view.
Career Timeline
Her career moves from local producer to national cohost in about 15 years. The steps below show the order.
First Radio Job
Her first major radio job was at 101 ESPN in St. Louis. She started around 2009. Production came first. Hosting followed.
Major Career Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
| 2009 | Joins 101 ESPN in St. Louis |
| 2015 | Leaves for the national ESPN Radio network |
| 2020 | Becomes cohost of Karraker & Smallmon |
| 2022 | Returns to the national network as a host |
| 2023 | Joins Unsportsmanlike (reported) |
| 2026 | Continues as morning show cohost |
Awards and Recognition
No major national broadcasting award is publicly confirmed for her. Her best documented honor is a historic first. She was the first woman with her name on a 101 ESPN show.
She has also served on charity boards. These include the Young Professionals for the St. Louis Zoo and the Little Bit Foundation. That work shows community involvement beyond radio.
Michelle Smallmon Salary and Net Worth
Michelle Smallmon’s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $2 million. Her estimated salary is about $100,000 per year. ESPN doesn’t publish pay for radio talent. So every number here is an estimate.
Estimated Salary
Her salary is estimated near $100,000 annually. That figure appears on several biography sites. National radio hosts can earn more or less depending on contracts.
Income Sources
Most of her income likely comes from her ESPN Radio role. Other possible sources include:
- Live event hosting
- Guest and fill in appearances
- Brand and media partnerships
- Past local radio and team work
The list shows common income paths for broadcasters. It’s not a confirmed breakdown.
Net Worth in 2026
Her 2026 net worth is estimated between $1 million and $2 million. The range is reportedly based on salary and career length. Nobody outside her circle can verify it.
| Estimate | Amount |
| Annual Salary | About $100,000 |
| Net Worth Low | $1 million |
| Net Worth High | $2 million |
Is Michelle Smallmon Married?
Michelle Smallmon is publicly reported as single. She hasn’t announced a marriage or engagement. She keeps her private life private.
Husband or Partner
No husband or partner is publicly confirmed. Searches about a husband return unverified guesses. Skip those pages.
Relationship Status
Her relationship status is not publicly disclosed beyond single. She talks about sports, travel and workouts on air. Romance rarely comes up.
Dating Rumors
There are no credible dating rumors about her. Some websites make up stories for clicks. Trust only her own statements or ESPN.
Personal Life
Michelle lives a busy but grounded life. She works early hours and stays active. She also gives time to charity boards.
Hobbies and Interests
Her main interests are sports, running and live events. She reportedly trained for the New York City Marathon. She has also thrown ceremonial first pitches. Those moments appear in her video history.
Favorite Sports Teams
She is widely linked to St. Louis teams, especially the Cardinals. Interviews and on air moments back that up. A viral caller exchange even touched on her loyalty to her city and the Rams.
Her pick of the Green Bay Packers on an NFL Bachelorette segment got fans talking too. That was a playful bit. It’s not proof of a lifelong fandom.
Lifestyle
Her lifestyle centers on early mornings and New York City life. She reportedly moved from St. Louis to New York for the national role. Morning radio demands discipline. Sleep schedules matter.
Social Media Profiles
You can find Michelle Smallmon on major social platforms under her name. Official handles aren’t listed in ESPN’s press bio text. Check ESPN’s cast pages or the verified badge before following.
| Platform | Status |
| X (Twitter) | Active, verify the handle |
| Active, verify the handle | |
| ESPN Radio shows | Official show pages |
Interesting Facts About Michelle Smallmon
These fast facts sum up her story.
- She was born on August 13, 1986.
- She is a Leo.
- She grew up in Belleville, Illinois.
- She studied broadcast journalism at the University of Illinois.
- She worked at 101 ESPN from 2009 to 2015.
- She was the first woman with her name on a 101 ESPN show.
- She hosted for the Battlehawks and worked with St. Louis City SC.
- She sits on charity boards, including the Little Bit Foundation.
- She cohosts Unsportsmanlike with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty.
- She’s publicly reported as single.
Frequently Ask Question
How old is Michelle Smallmon?
She is 40 years old in 2026. She was born on August 13, 1986.
What does Michelle Smallmon do at ESPN?
She cohosts ESPN Radio’s morning show Unsportsmanlike. It airs weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. ET.
What is Michelle Smallmon’s net worth?
Her net worth is estimated at $1 million to $2 million. Her salary is estimated near $100,000 a year.
Is Michelle Smallmon married?
She is publicly reported as single. No spouse has been confirmed.
Where is Michelle Smallmon from?
She was born in Belleville, Illinois. Her career grew in the St. Louis area.
Conclusion
Michelle Smallmon’s story is one of steady growth. She began as a St. Louis producer. She now cohosts a flagship national morning show.
Her verified facts are strong. She holds a broadcast journalism degree. She made history at 101 ESPN. She leads mornings on ESPN Radio.
Details like salary, weight and net worth remain estimates. Her personal life stays private. That’s her choice.
Want more sports media profiles? Keep an eye on ESPN Radio’s lineup for her latest moves.
Wellcome to celebbeacon, I am professional content witer with 3 years of experience.
