Michelle Smallmon is a name that rings a bell for sports fans across the United States.
Her voice fills the airwaves on ESPN Radio’s morning show, “Unsportsmanlike,” where she chats about games, players, and hot topics with a smile you can almost hear.
The show is now also simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU, which greatly increases her national visibility.
If you’ve ever tuned into her show, you know she’s got a knack for making sports talk fun and relatable. But who is she really? Where did she come from, and what’s her story? Let me talk with you.
| Feature | Detail |
| Full Name | Michelle Smallmon |
| Birth Date | August 13, 1986 |
| Age (as of Dec 2025) | 39 years old |
| Hometown | Belleville, Illinois (near St. Louis, MO) |
| Education | University of Illinois (Broadcast Journalism, 2008) |
| Current Role | Co-Host, “Unsportsmanlike” (ESPN Radio & ESPN2/U) |
| Show Time | 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. ET (Weekdays) |
| Career Milestones | First woman to host a show with her name on it at 101ESPN (St. Louis); Riverfront Times “Best Sports Personality” (2014) |
| Current Location | New York City |
| Relationship Status | Private (Currently publicly single) |
| Net Worth (Est.) | $1.5 million (As of 2025) |
Early Life: Grow Up in Belleville
Michelle Smallmon was born on August 13, 1986, in Belleville, Illinois, a small town near St. Louis, Missouri. Picture a kid running around, cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals, and kicking a soccer ball with friends. That was Michelle.
Her parents, Tony and Robin Smallmon, raised her in a home filled with love and sports. Tony worked as a real estate broker, while Robin kept the family tight-knit. Being an only child, Michelle got plenty of attention, and her folks noticed early on that she had a spark for athletics and talking.
Growing up, Belleville felt like the perfect playground for Michelle. It’s a place where community matters, and sports are a big deal.
She’d watch baseball games with her dad, soaking in stories about her grandpa, Ron Smallmon, who was a batboy for the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals back in the 1940s and ‘50s. His stories about old stadiums and famous players lit up Michelle’s eyes.
I can imagine her, wide-eyed, soaking in every word, dreaming of being part of that world someday. Plus, she wasn’t just a fan; Michelle played sports too. Soccer became her thing, and she was good at it. Her childhood wasn’t fancy, but it was full of moments that shaped her into the person we hear on the radio today.
Education: Build the Foundation
School was where Michelle started turning her passions into plans. She went to Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, and let me tell you, she wasn’t just there to fill a seat. Soccer was her jam, and by her senior year in 2004, she was co-captain of the varsity team. That year, they even made it to the state championships.
After high school, Michelle knew she wanted more than just playing sports; she wanted to talk about them. I also learned she initially intended to pursue a pre-med track, but she quickly realized medicine was not her calling after taking a freshman chemistry course.
So, she headed to the University of Illinois. There, she studied broadcast journalism, a perfect fit for someone who loved chatting about games as much as she loved watching them.
She graduated in 2008 with a degree that set her up for the career ahead. College wasn’t just about books, though. Michelle was heavily involved in the school’s legendary basketball fandom. She joined the Orange Krush during the 2004-2005 season when the team reached the NCAA Championship game, a period she described as “magical.”
She also joined the women’s volleyball team, keeping her sporty side alive while learning the ropes of media. Those years built her confidence and gave her the tools to chase her dreams.
Start Her Career: The Back-and-Forth Journey
Fresh out of college, Michelle didn’t waste time. She landed her first job as a production assistant at KSDK-TV, a local station in St. Louis. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a start. She’d run around helping with news shows, learning how TV worked behind the scenes. Sometimes, she’d be on the sidelines at St. Louis Rams games, soaking in the action up close.
That’s when she started chatting with sportscasters like Frank Cusumano and Rene Knott. They saw her spark and even let her jump in on a weekly sports wrap-up show. Her voice was getting heard, little by little.
But Michelle had bigger dreams than just TV. She loved radio, especially after ESPN brought its magic to St. Louis with 101ESPN. One name stood out to her: Bernie Miklasz, a sportswriter she admired. When his producer left, Michelle jumped at the chance.
She’d never done radio before, but she convinced them to take a shot on her. Producing “The Bernie Miklasz Show” was her big break. She ran the booth, kept the show rolling, and sometimes chimed in with her own thoughts. It was a hectic, exciting time, and she was hooked.
Rise at 101ESPN: Finding Her Voice
Michelle’s career followed an interesting path:
-
2009–2015 (Local Success): She made waves at 101ESPN, moving from producer for Miklasz to working on “The Fast Lane.” She soon hosted her own gig, “Rams Playmakers.”
-
2015–2018 (First National Stint): Michelle first left St. Louis for the national ESPN network in Bristol, Connecticut, taking on a producer role for high-profile shows like First Take and Get Up!. However, she missed the local interaction.
-
2018–2022 (Homecoming & Milestone): She returned to St. Louis and 101ESPN, quickly resuming hosting duties. From May 2020 to September 2022, she hosted “Karraker & Smallmon” with Randy Karraker, a significant milestone that made her the first woman to have her name on a show in the station’s history.
Join ESPN: A National Stage, A Personal Bet
View this post on Instagram
Leaving St. Louis again in 2022 was a calculated, difficult move that proved her ambition. Instead of having a guaranteed national hosting job waiting, Michelle moved to New York City to pursue national radio, taking a massive personal risk.
-
The Hustle: She worked a series of odd jobs—including working at a jewelry store and packing meals—to make ends meet while taking every fill-in and “usage” contract ESPN Radio offered her. Her mantra became, “Say yes to everything.”
-
The Breakthrough: This dedication paid off. As her fill-in contract was expiring, ESPN Radio offered her the job co-hosting the new signature morning show, Unsportsmanlike. I can see why she was stunned; she initially thought they were offering her the overnight shift because the jump was so monumental.
Now, she co-hosts “Unsportsmanlike,” airing from 6 to 10 a.m. ET every weekday alongside Evan Cohen and Chris Canty. The show is simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU, which expands her reach to both radio listeners and television viewers.
It is important to note that Michelle is not a typical “boisterous” radio personality. She describes herself as naturally reserved and admitted she was hesitant to become a host because she struggles with the attention.
I find it telling that she often forgets millions of people listen to the show and will sometimes greet fans who recognize her by asking, “Oh, have I met you before?” Her success comes from her authenticity and preparation, not simply volume.
Career Achievements: Making Her Mark
Michelle’s career is punctuated by significant achievements.
-
St. Louis Pioneer: At 101 ESPN, she became the first woman to have her name on a show, hosting “Karraker & Smallmon.” Her work earned her the “Best Sports Personality” title from the Riverfront Times in 2014, reflecting her popularity and influence in St. Louis.
-
Cross-Platform Presence: Beyond radio, Michelle has been the in-game host for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL, and she has done extensive video work with the city’s MLS team, St. Louis City SC. She has hosted high-profile events like New Year’s Eve at Ballpark Village and the USBWA dinner at the Missouri Athletic Club, interviewing college basketball stars.
-
Charity Work: I admire her commitment to giving back. She has sat on the board of several charities, including The Young Professionals for the St. Louis Zoo and The Little Bit Foundation, which aids in breaking down barriers to learning. Her net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million as of 2025, thanks to her national radio gigs, endorsements, and hustle.
Personal Life: Keeping the Focus on Career and Family
Current Relationship Status (As of late 2025):
Michelle has consistently maintained a private stance on her romantic life. As of late 2025, she is publicly single, and choose to keep her focus on her demanding national career. I believe this deliberate choice allows her to maintain control over her public narrative and professional growth.
Michelle is extremely close to her family, though. She posts pictures with her parents on Instagram, showing off their bond. Sunday dinners with Tony and Robin were a big deal before she moved, and she still cherishes those roots.
In her free time, Michelle’s got a furry buddy named Max, her dog. She loves taking him for walks or just chilling at home. Travel’s another passion, and staying active keeps her grounded. If she’s dating, she’s keeping it under wraps. Michelle’s focus seems to be on her career and the people she already loves.
Her Love for St. Louis: A City Girl at Heart
St. Louis isn’t just where Michelle’s from; it’s who she is. She’s proud to rep her city on a national stage. When the Rams left for Los Angeles in 2016, it hit her hard. She’s been vocal about it, especially on “Unsportsmanlike.”
Once, a caller named Gus tried to convince her to root for the Rams anyway, but Michelle wasn’t having it. She laid out why St. Louis fans felt betrayed, and it went viral. Her passion for her hometown shone through.
The Battlehawks gave her a new football love. Hosting their games was a blast, and seeing 34,000 fans show up proved St. Louis still cares. Michelle’s Cardinals fandom runs deep too, tied to those childhood memories with her dad and grandpa. For her, St. Louis isn’t just a dot on the map; it’s family, pride, and a big piece of her story.
Fun Facts: Little Things About Michelle
Let’s wrap up with some cool tidbits. Michelle’s a huge Cardinals fan, no surprise there. She’s clumsy, remember that black eye story? Her dog Max is her sidekick, and she’s all about charity, especially for kids and sports.
On social media, she’s @msmallmon on Twitter and Instagram, sharing bits of her life and work. Oh, and she’s 38 now, but her energy feels timeless.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is Michelle Smallmon’s current role at ESPN?
A: Michelle Smallmon is currently a co-host on ESPN Radio’s signature national morning show, “Unsportsmanlike.” She co-hosts the show alongside Evan Cohen and former NFL player Chris Canty. The program airs every weekday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. ET. In addition to radio, the show is simulcast on ESPN2 and ESPNU, which makes her visible to a national television audience.
Q: How did Michelle Smallmon get her start in sports radio in St. Louis?
A: Smallmon began her career as a production assistant for a local St. Louis TV station but quickly transitioned to radio. Her big break came when she convinced 101ESPN to hire her as the producer for the renowned “The Bernie Miklasz Show,” even though she had no prior radio experience. Her hard work paid off when she later became the first woman to have her name on a show title at the station (“Karraker & Smallmon”).
Q: Is Michelle Smallmon married or dating?
A: As of late 2025, Michelle Smallmon is publicly single. She keeps her romantic life highly private. This is a deliberate choice that allows her to focus on her demanding national career and her close relationship with her family in St. Louis. I noted that her professional focus and naturally reserved personality often lead her to keep her public career separate from her private life.
Q: What difficult career move led to her current job at ESPN?
A: Her national breakthrough came after a major personal gamble. In 2022, Smallmon moved to New York City without a guaranteed job at ESPN, simply taking fill-in shifts and working odd jobs like packing meals to make ends meet. She committed to “say yes to everything,” and this period of intense hustle directly led to ESPN offering her the full-time co-hosting role on Unsportsmanlike.
Q: Does Michelle Smallmon have a background in competitive sports?
A: Yes, she was an active athlete. Growing up, she played soccer and was the co-captain of her high school varsity soccer team, which reached the state championships in 2004. In college at the University of Illinois, she was also a member of the women’s volleyball team and belonged to the enthusiastic Orange Krush fan section during the Illini’s run to the NCAA Championship game in the 2004-2005 season.
