If you’re a fan of sports talk radio, you might often wonder about the voices you hear. Who are they beyond the mic? For fans of ESPN Radio, one name stands out: Michelle Smallmon.
She’s not just any host; she brings her own flair to sports broadcasting.
Michelle Smallmon co-hosts “Unsportsmanlike” on ESPN Radio. This fact alone catches many listeners’ attention. Our blog will tell you all about her life and career. You’ll see how she made it in this tough world.
Keep reading for more on who is Michelle Smallmon.
Early Career of Michelle Smallmon
From her early days, Michelle Smallmon made her mark in the broadcasting world. She started at a local radio station in St. Louis after earning her degree from the University of Illinois.
There, she learned the ropes of sports media as a producer. This job was her first step into a bigger arena.
She used skills from university to handle tasks at the radio station. These included setting up interviews and managing live broadcasts about St. Louis sports teams like the St. Louis Rams.
Her work ethic and passion for sports helped her stand out early on in her career.
Breakthrough in Sports Media
Michelle Smallmon made a big jump in her career. She moved from a local radio station in St. Louis to ESPN Radio. This was a huge step for her. At ESPN, she started hosting “The Michelle Smallmon Show.” This show became popular fast.
People liked how she talked about sports. She also began a podcast for fans who love sports.
This change showed everyone her skills in talking about games on the radio and podcasts. Her move to ESPN put her name out there more than before. Now, many people listen to what she has to say about sports every day.
Role at ESPN Radio
At ESPN Radio, Michelle Smallmon shines as a key host. She brings life to the airwaves with her unique voice. Want to know more? Keep reading!
Key Shows and Contributions
Michelle Smallmon leads “The Michelle Smallmon Show” on ESPN Radio. She talks sports, shares stories, and brings guests into the mix. Fans listen for her take on the latest in sports.
Her voice reaches many places, including St. Louis and beyond.
She also makes a podcast for those who love sports. Here, she dives deeper into topics that matter to fans. With each episode, she connects with her audience, sharing insights and sparking debates about the game’s big issues.
Collaborations with Other Hosts
Michelle Smallmon works well with other ESPN hosts like Sarah Spain and Mina Kimes. They team up for shows and projects. This teamwork brings different views to their audience. It makes the discussion more interesting.
Their work together highlights women’s growing role in sports media. These collaborations show that varied voices can make sports talk richer and more engaging for everyone listening.
Michelle Smallmon’s Unique Broadcasting Style
Michelle Smallmon brings a fresh voice to ESPN Radio. She mixes sharp insights with a fun style. Her love for St. Louis sports shines through in her work. Fans enjoy how she connects with them, both on air and online.
She also helps young women who want to work in sports media. This makes her stand out even more. Next, let’s look at the key moments of her career.
Highlights of Her Career
Michelle Smallmon has had many big moments in her career. She spoke up for St. Louis sports and won over listeners with her passion.
Memorable Moments on Air
She had a black eye on her first day on “Unsportsmanlike.” It was from an accident over Labor Day Weekend. But, the makeup team did a great job. They covered up her black eye for the show.
This moment got lots of attention.
Her strength and humor during this time won many fans. People talked about it a lot online and in St. Louis. She became known not just for sports talk but for being real and relatable on air.
Advocacy for St. Louis Sports
Moving from her memorable moments on air, Michelle Smallmon shows deep care for St. Louis sports. She speaks up about how the move of the St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles hurt many people.
Almost nine seasons ago, this big change took jobs and left fans feeling lost. Smallmon is not just a voice on ESPN Radio; she also uses her platform to talk about these hard times.
She makes it clear that losing the Rams was big, both for people’s hearts and their wallets in St. Louis. Her words bring national focus to what happened when the team left town. By doing so, Smallmon helps keep the story alive, aiming for better treatment of cities and their love for sports teams in the future.
Financial Aspects of a Broadcasting Career
In broadcasting, how much you earn can vary. Michelle Smallmon has made a name at ESPN Radio with a net worth of $1.5 million by 2024. This is less than some of her peers like Sarah Spain and Mina Kimes, who have net worths of $2 million and $2.5 million, respectively.
Tony Reali also stands out with $3 million. These numbers show that success in this field can lead to good money, but not everyone makes the same.
Money talks in any career, especially in sports media. For Smallmon and others on air, their earnings come from hard work, skills learned over time, and being able to connect with fans across programs like those on ESPN Radio.
Making it big in sports broadcasting means building a reputation that attracts listeners and viewers — leading to higher paychecks over time.
Challenges and Success Stories
Money issues in broadcasting can be tough. But moving past these, Michelle Smallmon faced a tougher climb. Being a woman in sports media is not easy. She often talked about the big problems for women in this area.
Yet, she didn’t just talk; she acted. Michelle became a guide for young women who wanted to follow her path.
Her work did get noticed on shows with Evan Cohen and Chris Canty on ESPN Radio. This was big for someone from Belleville, Illinois, aiming high in the sports world. Her voice grew stronger over time within St Louis sports too.
She turned challenges into wins by helping bring stories that mattered to fans right into their homes, making her a true success story in the field of sportscasting.
Influence on Women in Sports Media
Michelle Smallmon helps women wanting to work in sports broadcasting. She talks about hard things they face in this area. Because of her, more women see a path for themselves in sports media.
They learn how to handle challenges and aim high in their careers.
She works with young female broadcasters often. This makes a big difference. These women get advice and learn from someone who has done it before. Thanks to Michelle, they believe they can succeed too in ESPN radio or any part of sports media.
Recent Projects and Future Plans
Michelle Smallmon is growing her digital media work. She looks into TV chances too. A book about her time in sports broadcasting may come out. This shows she’s pushing her career further.
She works hard on new projects while planning for the future. Expanding into different areas is a big goal for her. Writing a book and trying TV are part of this plan.
Personal Insights and Interests
She loves to travel and keep fit. She often shares her fitness routines online, showing how active she stays. Her dog, Max, is a big part of her life too. They spend lots of time together, exploring new places or just relaxing at home.
Being a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals shows her strong ties to St. Louis sports. She also gives back by helping with youth sports charities in the area. This mix of interests tells us she enjoys staying busy and giving to others whenever she can.
Awards and Recognitions
Michelle Smallmon has earned several awards and recognitions for her work in sports media. Her role at ESPN Radio has put her in the spotlight, showcasing her talent and dedication to sports broadcasting.
- She received an award for Excellence in Broadcasting from a local St. Louis organization, highlighting her impact on regional sports coverage.
- Michelle was named one of the top sportscasters under 30 by a national sports media association. This honor recognized rising stars in the industry.
- For her advocacy of St. Louis sports, including efforts to keep the Rams in St. Louis, she was honored by the city’s mayor.
- A well-known university invited Michelle to speak about women in sports media, acknowledging her influence and contributions to the field.
- Several online polls and magazines have listed her among the most influential women in sports broadcasting, citing her unique style and strong presence on ESPN Radio.
These awards and recognitions emphasize Michelle Smallmon’s significant role as a leading voice in sports media today.
Takeaways
She started young, showing everyone how passion leads to success. Her voice became known on “Unsportsmanlike,” catching attention from the start. From Belleville, Illinois, she carried St.
Louis in her heart, standing up for her city and its sports teams. Teaming with co-hosts like Evan Cohen and Chris Canty made her shows a hit. She also guides women into sports media, sharing wisdom gained from experience.
She reminds us all: Stay true to your roots; they shape your journey ahead.
For an in-depth look at the financial landscape of Michelle Smallmon’s career, check out how much Michelle Smallmon makes.
