Historically, sports presenting and broadcasting have been heavily male-dominated fields. However, ESPN has been changing this narrative, with the platform boasting a large roster of female presenters who are redefining sports journalism.
The women of ESPN are no longer just sideline reporters; they are now driving forces behind the network’s top programs and sports coverage. The network also features women in central anchoring and studio host positions, where they have become authorities in sports media.
Below is a list of all the female ESPN presenters in 2026, the shows and programs they headline, and other interesting facts about them:
1. Malika Andrews
- Current shows: NBA Countdown, NBA Today, WNBA Countdown
- Previous jobs: Sports reporter for the Chicago Tribune
- Ethnicity: African American
- Partner: Dave McMenamin
Malika Andrews is one of the top female ESPN presenters. She joined the network as an online NBA reporter before transitioning into a sideline reporter and, later, studio host.
Andrews currently hosts NBA Countdown, NBA Today, and WNBA Countdown. She also serves as a host for major special events on ESPN, including tennis coverage and the NBA Draft.
In 2022, she made history by being the first woman to host the NBA draft. She was also the youngest sideline reporter for an NBA conference finals broadcast.
2. Laura Rutledge
- Current shows: NFL Live
- Previous jobs: On-field reporter for Fox College Sports and Fox Sports sideline reporter.
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: Josh Rutledge
Laura Rutledge is one of the most recognizable female ESPN reporters in the NFL and college football scene. She is currently the host of NFL Live and also serves as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football.
Until recently, Rutledge was also the host of SEC Nation on the SEC Network. However, in May 2026, ESPN announced she would be stepping down from the role due to expanded NFL assignments.
3. Hannah Storm
- Current shows: SportsCenter, WNBA Countdown, NBA Today
- Previous jobs: Host for CNN, NBC Sports, and CBS News
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: Dan Hicks (NBC Sports sportscaster)
Hannah Lynn Storen Hicks (known professionally as Hannah Storm) is one of the leading female sports broadcasters. She is also a producer, director, and published author.
Storm joined ESPN in 2008 and currently serves as an anchor on the network’s flagship news program, SportsCenter. She has also hosted other shows, including WNBA countdown and NBA Today, as well as marquee events like NBA Finals, U.S. Open, Wimbledon, the Super Bowl, and more.
4. Madelyn Burke
- Current shows: SportsCenter
- Previous jobs: Host for the New York Football Giants and CBS Sports HQ
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: N/A
Madelyn Burke is an American journalist and broadcaster who has previously worked for MSG Network, the New York Giants, and CBS Sports. She is one of the newest female ESPN presenters, having joined the network in April 2026 as a SportsCenter anchor.
Burke has vast experience covering the NFL, NBA, and college football for various media outlets. It’s also her second stint on ESPN; she previously worked for the network as an intern and, later, production assistant and ESPNU campus correspondent.
5. Kelsey Riggs
- Current shows: SportsCenter
- Previous jobs: Sports anchor for WCNC-TV and WBTW News 13
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: Dalen Cuff
Kelsey Riggs Cuff is a prominent sportscaster famous for her work with the ACC Network. She joined ESPN in 2019 when the ACC Network was launched and served as a studio host for ACC Huddle, in addition to covering football and basketball.
Since 2024, she has served as an anchor for ESPN’s flagship news program, SportsCenter. She was also part of the ESPN broadcast team that covered the 2023 Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.
6. Jen Lada
- Current shows: College Football Live
- Previous jobs: Sports reporter and anchor for WREX, Rockford, WITI in Milwaukee, and Comcast SportsNet Chicago.
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: Mario Melendez
Jen Lada is a Sports Emmy-award-winning journalist and one of the top female ESPN presenters to watch out for in 2026. She joined ESPN in 2015, initially working as a host on an ESPN radio show before joining the main network, where she contributed to various programs.
Currently, Lada hosts College Football Live, in addition to contributing to ESPN storytelling programs like E:60, Outside Lines, and SC Featured. She has also appeared on several other ESPN shows, including College GameDay, Get Up, and SportsCenter.
7. Cristina Alexander
- Current shows: SportsCenter, Futbol W, Futbol Americas, La Peña de la Liga and Goles y Más
- Previous jobs: sports reporter for Univision Deportes Network
- Ethnicity: Hispanic (Latino)
- Partner: N/A
Cristina Alexander is a bilingual sports journalist, host, and play-by-play commentator for ESPN and ESPN Deportes. She serves as the anchor of the SportsCenter morning edition and host of various shows, including Futbol W, Futbol Americas, La Peña de la Liga, and Goles y Más.
Beyond her hosting duties, Alexander also serves as the lead Spanish play-by-play commentator for NWSL on ESPN Deportes. She has also covered various sports for ESPN, including Champions League, MLS, Liga MX, and La Liga.
8. Christine Williamson
- Current shows: SportsCenter and Women’s College GameDay
- Previous jobs: Correspondent, reporter, and host for Big 12 Network
- Ethnicity: Black
- Partner: N/A
Christine Williamson is another prominent ESPN female presenter. She serves as a co-anchor for the SportsCenter 6 p.m. edition alongside Kevin Negandhi.
She is also the lead host for ESPN’s women’s college basketball and serves as the host of Women’s College GameDay. Additionally, she serves as the studio host for ESPN’s NCAA Women’s college basketball coverage.
Besides hosting linear ESPN shows, Williamson has also served as a host for various ESPN digital shows, including Countdown to GameDay, Hoop Streams, and SC on Snap.
9. Amina Smith
- Current shows: SportsCenter
- Previous jobs: On-air talent and host for Big Ten Network and NBC Sports
- Ethnicity: Mixed (African American and Mexican descent)
- Partner: Deon Bush
Amina Smith is another of the top female ESPN presenters. She serves as an anchor for the flagship news show, SportsCenter, where she hosts the 2 p.m. and weekend editions of the program.
Smith joined ESPN in 2024. Before that, she worked as an on-air talent and host for NBC Sports, where she covered the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics.
10. Shae Cornette
- Current shows: First Take
- Previous jobs: Reporter and sports anchor for WFLD (Fox-32)
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: Jordan Cornette
Shae Cornette is a sports broadcaster who serves as the host of ESPN’s morning debate show, First Take, alongside Stephen A. Smith. She took over the role in 2025, replacing long-time host Molly Qerim.
Prior to becoming a First Take host, Cornette served as a regular anchor for SportsCenter. She also co-hosted the ESPN Radio show GameDay alongside her husband Jordan Cornette, making the duo the first married couple to host a national ESPN radio show.
11. Nicole Briscoe
- Current shows: SportsCenter
- Previous jobs: Co-host for the SPEED Channel and sports reporter at WISH-TV (CBS affiliate, Indianapolis)
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: Ryan Briscoe
Nicole Briscoe is one of the several female ESPN presenters who are part of the flagship news program SportsCenter. She has served as an anchor for the program since 2015, and currently hosts a late-night edition of the show.
Besides SportsCenter, she also serves as a host for various ESPN studio shows, programs, and special events, including, recently, the 2026 American Hockey League Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Briscoe has also covered motorsports in the past, including serving as the host of ESPN’s Formula 1 broadcast. She was also the host of NASCAR Countdown, as well as the news show NASCAR Now.
12. Keiana Martin
- Current shows: SportsCenter
- Previous jobs: Host for The MLB Network, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp., and CBS Sports
- Ethnicity: African American
- Partner: N/A
Keiana Martin is another new face in ESPN’s lineup of female presenters. She joined the network in June 2026 and currently serves as the anchor for the morning and afternoon editions of SportsCenter.
Before ESPN, Martin worked as a host and reporter for CBS Sports, where she featured in several programs, including Inside College Football, Inside College Basketball, and CBS Sports HQ.
At CBS Sports, Martin also contributed to the coverage of college football and basketball, WNBA, and even appeared on CBS Mornings.
13. Alyssa Lang
- Current shows: SEC Now
- Previous jobs: Sports anchor for First Coast News, Jacksonville, Florida
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: Trevor Sikkema
Alyssa Lang is a prominent sports reporter, host, and anchor, famous for her work with ESPN and the SEC Network. She currently serves as the anchor for SEC Network’s SEC Now as well as ESPN’s sideline reporter for NBA coverage.
Lang is also a sideline reporter for ESPN and the SEC Network’s college football, baseball, softball, and basketball coverage. Additionally, in 2024, she made her debut as an anchor for SportsCenter.
14. Victoria Arlen
- Current shows: SportsCenter
- Previous jobs: Professional athlete
- Ethnicity: White
- Partner: A
Victoria Arlen is an ESPN journalist who serves as the anchor of the ESPN flagship news program. She is also the studio host for various ESPN events, including The ESPY Awards, Special Olympics World Games, and Invictus Games.
Arlen joined ESPN in 2015 as one of the youngest talents hired by the network. Prior to this, she was a professional athlete who won a gold medal and three silver medals for Team USA during the 2012 Summer Paralympics.