Sarah Spain is an Emmy, Peabody, and Gracie Award‑winning sports journalist, author, podcast host, and former ESPN personality who has become one of the most recognizable and outspoken voices in women’s sports media in the United States. She blends high‑level sports analysis with humor, advocacy, and accessible storytelling, making her work resonate with both hardcore fans and casual listeners. Beyond TV and radio, she is also an investor in women’s soccer and a leading champion for equal coverage and investment in women’s sports.
Table of Contents
Who is Sarah Spain?
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 45 years |
| Family/ Parents | Rick Spain (father) and Nancy Spain (mother) |
| Podcast | Good Game with Sarah Spain |
| Book | Runs in the Family |
| Husband | Brad Zibung |
| Salary | $150,000 annually |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million – $2 million |
| Body Measurements | 42-28-39 inches (bust-waist-hips) |
| Height | 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches) |
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Early life and education
Sarah Colby Spain was born on August 18, 1980, in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in the Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois. Her Midwestern upbringing helped shape the grounded, approachable personality that fans later came to know on radio, television, and podcasts.
From a young age, Spain excelled in sports, earning All‑Conference, All‑Area, and All‑State honors in basketball, field hockey, and track during her time at Lake Forest High School, where she captained multiple teams. She graduated from Lake Forest in 1998, then headed to Cornell University, where she majored in English and competed as a heptathlete on the Cornell Big Red track and field team, eventually serving as co‑captain in her senior year.
At Cornell, Spain balanced demanding athletics with academics, building the discipline and time‑management skills that later proved essential in the fast‑paced world of sports media. Her English degree sharpened her writing, while the heptathlon—seven events ranging from hurdles to high jump—reinforced her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and stay composed under pressure.
Early career and first media roles
After college, Spain did not immediately step into a national spotlight; instead, she built her career through a variety of roles across local and digital sports media. Before joining ESPN, she worked with outlets such as Fox Sports Net, MouthpieceSports.com, ChicagoNow.com, and served as a recurring guest host on WGN’s “ChicagoNow Radio,” gaining experience both on‑air and in digital writing.
She also worked as a sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network, where she covered college sports from field level, and hosted the “Coors Light Fantasy Players Minute,” a syndicated fantasy‑sports feature that further showcased her ability to mix information and entertainment. In Chicago television, Spain became one of the original co‑hosts of WGN‑TV’s “Chicago’s Best,” sharing the screen with Ted Brunson and Brittney Payton and becoming more familiar to regional audiences.
These early positions allowed Spain to refine her voice and on‑air presence in a variety of formats—from short fantasy segments to long‑form radio conversations—setting her up for larger opportunities. Her versatility became one of her defining professional traits: she could write, host, report from the sidelines, and contribute strongly to panel shows.
ESPN years and national rise
Spain joined ESPN 1000 in Chicago in 2010, initially working as a reporter and anchor and quickly becoming a central figure in the station’s sports coverage. That same year she began writing for espnW, ESPN’s platform focused on women’s sports and female fans, aligning her with a brand that matched her passions for inclusion and equity.
Over more than 15 years with ESPN, Spain became a jack‑of‑all‑trades at the network, filling roles as radio and podcast host, television personality, writer, reporter, and producer. She appeared on high‑profile shows such as “Around the Horn,” making her first appearance on the panel program on February 25, 2016, and becoming a regular voice in national sports debates.
National ESPN radio shows
Spain’s radio work reached a new level in September 2016 when she signed a multi‑year deal with ESPN and launched the national ESPN Radio show “Izzy & Spain” with co‑host Israel Gutierrez. The show allowed her to engage daily with a national audience, mixing sharp commentary with humor and personal stories in a way that differentiated her from more traditional hosts.
In 2018, Spain and co‑host Jason Fitz debuted the evening national radio show “Spain & Fitz,” which combined big‑story coverage with deep dives and personality‑driven segments. When Fitz moved to mornings in 2019, the program was rebranded as “Spain & Company,” with Spain remaining the anchor and working alongside rotating co‑hosts, demonstrating her adaptability and leadership behind the mic.
In August 2020, Fitz returned as her full‑time evening co‑host and the program once again became “Spain & Fitz,” lasting until its final episode on December 1, 2022. Over these years, Spain became known for her ability to make complex sports and social issues understandable without losing nuance, often incorporating discussions of gender, race, and equity into mainstream sports conversations.
Awards and professional recognition
Sarah Spain’s work has been recognized with some of the highest honors in sports media. She is an Emmy Award and Peabody Award winner, acknowledgments that reflect both the quality of her journalism and her contributions to impactful storytelling within ESPN projects.
In addition to these prestigious honors, she is also a Gracie Award winner, an award that celebrates programming created by, for, and about women. In 2017 she was named to Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40” list, underscoring her influence not just in sports media but in the broader Chicago professional community.
Her advocacy for women’s sports coverage has also earned recognition from the audio industry: at the 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards, Spain received the Social Impact Award for her efforts to champion equity in sports coverage, equal pay for women athletes, and increased investment in women’s sports. These honors highlight both her journalistic excellence and her role as a change‑maker in the industry.
Champion for women’s sports
For much of her career, Spain has been at the forefront of pushing major media outlets to take women’s sports seriously. She has spoken candidly about the early days of espnW, when topics related to women’s sports often struggled to gain airtime or support, and she continued to press for balanced coverage as interest and ratings grew.
Spain has emphasized that athletes like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese helped shift the narrative, but she also notes that systemic changes in editorial priorities and investment were needed to match the rising demand. Her work at espnW and her later projects demonstrate her belief that women’s sports deserve year‑round, mainstream attention rather than occasional novelty coverage.
Beyond commentary, Spain has translated her advocacy into tangible action, participating in advisory and investment efforts designed to strengthen the women’s sports ecosystem. Her roles with organizations and funds connected to women’s sports show that she is committed to driving change on and off the air.
“Good Game with Sarah Spain” podcast
In July 2024, Spain launched “Good Game with Sarah Spain,” billed as the first and only daily women’s sports podcast, produced with iHeart. The show focuses on women’s sports news, major stories, and in‑depth interviews, filling a gap in the sports audio landscape where consistent, high‑frequency coverage of women’s sports had been rare.
“Good Game with Sarah Spain” quickly earned critical acclaim, including a nomination for “Best Sports Podcast” at the 2025 Ambies Awards for Excellence in Audio. The program also played a role in Spain’s 2025 iHeartPodcast Awards Social Impact honor, underscoring how the show combines sports coverage with advocacy for equal attention and investment.
In addition to the podcast, Spain provides thrice‑daily women’s sports updates across all 500 national iHeart radio stations, giving women’s sports consistent exposure across a massive audio network. This unique distribution ensures that stories about women athletes reach listeners who might not actively seek out dedicated women’s sports content, expanding the overall audience.
Author of “Runs In The Family”
In June 2025, Spain’s first book, “Runs In The Family,” was released by Simon & Schuster. Co‑written with NFL coach Deland McCullough, the book explores themes connected to family, identity, and football, offering readers a narrative that blends sports storytelling with deeply personal elements.
The collaboration draws on Spain’s skills as an interviewer and writer and on McCullough’s life experience, delivering a work that appeals to sports fans as well as readers interested in human‑interest stories. Publishing with a major house like Simon & Schuster marks an expansion of Spain’s career from audio and video into long‑form print, strengthening her profile as a multifaceted storyteller.
The book adds to her already diverse resume and positions her well for future projects in authorship, whether in sports, memoir‑style writing, or broader cultural commentary. For readers who appreciate her on‑air honesty and humor, “Runs In The Family” offers a more extended look at the kind of layered stories she values.
Ownership and investment in women’s soccer
Spain has not limited her support for women’s sports to commentary; she has also become personally invested in women’s soccer teams. On March 1, 2021, the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) announced her as part of their ownership group, making her a minority owner in the club.
Her time in the Red Stars’ ownership reflected her commitment to improving conditions and visibility for women’s professional soccer players. When investor Laura Ricketts and her group purchased the club in September 2023, Spain and other previous minority owners were bought out, closing that chapter but highlighting how early advocates like her helped shepherd the club into a new era of investment.
Spain later became an investor in Minnesota Aurora FC, a USL W League club, joining during the team’s second round of community ownership fundraising in early 2025. She and listeners of “Good Game with Sarah Spain” collectively helped raise approximately 830,000 dollars for Aurora, demonstrating how she can mobilize her audience to tangibly support women’s sports organizations.
Advisory roles and philanthropy
Alongside her broadcast and ownership ventures, Spain has taken on roles that connect major brands and nonprofits to the women’s sports space. She was a founding member of the Gatorade Women’s Advisory Board, helping shape how a global sports drink brand engages with female athletes and fans.
Spain is also part of the Founding Collective of the Angel City Impact Fund, an initiative connected to Angel City FC that targets impact investments in women and girls, especially through sports. Her involvement signals a belief that corporate and philanthropic investment must align with the growth of women’s sports on the field and in media.
She co‑founded “Hear The Cheers,” a charitable initiative that provides hearing aids and related equipment to children so they can remain active in sports and other activities. The project reflects her broader view that access and inclusion—whether in media coverage or participation—are central to the future of sports.
Teaching, speaking, and thought leadership
Spain extends her influence into education and thought leadership roles. She has served as a Journalist in Residence at the Center for the Philosophy of Freedom, engaging with students on journalism, ethics, and the power of storytelling in shaping public discourse.
She is also part of the inaugural fellows class of Arizona State University’s Great Game Lab, which explores the intersection of sports, media, and society. In these roles, she shares lessons from a career that has spanned local radio, national TV, podcasting, authorship, and ownership, offering insight into both the practical skills and ethical considerations involved in sports journalism.
Spain frequently appears as a keynote speaker or panelist at conferences, alumni events, and industry gatherings, often focusing on women’s sports, media representation, and career resilience. For younger journalists and students, her path illustrates how embracing versatility and standing firm on core values can create a meaningful, sustainable career.
Personal life and family
Sarah Spain is married to Brad Zibung, a successful real‑estate entrepreneur and former sports media professional. The couple met at a Chicago Blackhawks charity bowling event in 2008, went on a first date at a Chicago Cubs game in 2009, and married on May 29, 2016, in a ceremony near Chicago attended by hundreds of guests.
Zibung, known for co‑founding the satirical sports newspaper “The Heckler” and later building a major real‑estate business, has an estimated net worth reported in some outlets at around 1.5 billion dollars, primarily from real‑estate investments. The couple live in Chicago with their dogs, and Spain often shares glimpses of her home life and humor on social media, where she maintains active Instagram and X (Twitter) accounts under the handle @SarahSpain or variations like @spain2323.
Her openness about daily life, relationships, and even frustrations has helped her build a loyal community of followers who connect with her beyond her professional work.
Physical profile and on‑air presence
Spain stands at approximately 1.8 meters tall (about 5 feet 11 inches), a height that complemented her background as a multi‑sport athlete and collegiate heptathlete. Some profiles list her weight around 68 kilograms, though, like many public figures, she is more often discussed for her professionalism and presence than for physical metrics.
Her dark brown hair and dark brown eyes are part of a recognizable on‑air look, but what stands out more is her confident, relaxed posture and expressive delivery. Viewers and listeners often note her ability to balance sharp analysis with self‑deprecating humor, which makes segments feel more like conversations than lectures.
On television, whether on ESPN studio shows or panel discussions, Spain tends to bring energy and warmth, even when addressing serious topics like workplace equity or social justice. This combination of ease and seriousness is a key factor in her appeal to both long‑time sports fans and newcomers.
Social media and public voice
Spain’s social media presence is an extension of her on‑air personality: direct, witty, and engaged. She uses platforms like X (Twitter) and Instagram to comment on live games, amplify stories from women’s sports, promote her podcast and book, and occasionally push back against online harassment or bias.
Her online voice often blends humor with pointed commentary, which both entertains and educates followers. Spain also uses social media to mobilize support for charitable causes, women’s sports investment campaigns, and community‑ownership initiatives like the Minnesota Aurora FC fundraising rounds.
Because she is candid about both her professional successes and challenges, many younger journalists and fans view her as a relatable figure who shows that it is possible to be ambitious, outspoken, and authentic at the same time. Her willingness to address criticism, explain her positions, and listen to feedback further strengthens this perception.
Net worth, salary, and business ventures
Sarah Spain’s net worth in 2025 is best described as a solid, upper–middle‑class media fortune built over nearly two decades in national sports broadcasting, writing, and now podcasting and authorship, rather than celebrity‑level wealth. Most credible estimates place her personal net worth somewhere around the low‑ to mid‑seven‑figure range in 2025, with public sources commonly citing 1.5–2 million dollars, though these numbers remain approximations, not verified financial disclosures. Her wealth has grown steadily through ESPN salaries, podcast and book deals, speaking fees, and selective sports investments, while her lifestyle remains grounded and work‑focused rather than built around showy spending.
ESPN salaries vary widely, but multiple reports and biography sites have regularly suggested that Sarah Spain earned in the region of 150,000 dollars per year during her ESPN tenure, with some outlets describing her pay as “over 150,000 dollars” annually at her peak there. This range matches industry expectations for a versatile, mid‑ to upper‑tier national talent who hosted a daily radio show, contributed to television debate programs, and created digital content for espnW.
Her investments and advisory roles with organizations such as the Chicago Red Stars, Minnesota Aurora FC, the Angel City Impact Fund, and Gatorade’s Women’s Advisory Board also reflect a strategy that intertwines financial decisions with her values. In this sense, her business activities reinforce her public mission of expanding opportunity, visibility, and support for women and girls in sports.
Legacy and impact in sports media
Across radio, TV, podcasting, authorship, and ownership, Sarah Spain has built a career defined by versatility and purpose. She helped prove that conversations about gender equity, equal pay, and media representation can sit comfortably alongside game previews and highlight breakdowns on mainstream platforms. Her leadership in launching the first daily women’s sports podcast, “Good Game with Sarah Spain,” offered a blueprint for how to center women’s sports coverage in a way that is both sustainable and commercially viable.
Coupled with her investments in women’s soccer and her philanthropic initiatives, Spain’s work suggests a vision of sports where opportunity and attention are more evenly distributed.
For aspiring journalists, her path demonstrates the value of being multi‑skilled—able to write, host, report, and produce—while also remaining vocal about core beliefs. For fans, she represents a familiar, friendly guide through the fast‑changing world of sports who invites them to care not only about scores and standings, but also about fairness and inclusion in the games they love.
what happened to Sarah Spain around the horn?
Sarah Spain, a former ESPN personality and regular panelist on Around the Horn, was banned from appearing on the show by a former ESPN executive, with her last appearance occurring about 1.5 to 2 years prior to her public revelation. She debuted on the program in February 2016 and participated in episodes as recently as its final days in May 2025, including a return for a farewell segment where she shared her ten favorite moments.
who is Sarah Spain husband?
Sarah Spain’s husband is Brad Zibung, a Chicago-based real estate agent and creator of the satirical sports site The Heckler. The couple married on May 29, 2016, and they reside in Chicago with their three rescue dogs.
Is Sarah Spain still with ESPN?
Sarah Spain remains affiliated with ESPN as of late 2025, primarily as an ESPNW talent, contributor, and women’s sports reporter. She hosts thrice-daily women’s sports reports for iHeart stations and contributes to espnW content, including the 2025 Women + Sports Summit. Recent appearances, such as at the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, confirm her active ESPN journalist status.
Is Sarah Spain married?
Yes, Sarah Spain is married to Brad Zibung as of late 2025.
What is Sarah Spain doing?
Sarah Spain hosts the daily podcast “Good Game with Sarah Spain,” delivering stories, stakes, stars, and stats on women’s teams, leagues, and athletes. She remains active at ESPN after over 15 years, focusing on espnW contributions as a journalist, radio host, TV personality, producer, and writer in the women’s sports space.
What sport did Sarah Spain play?
Sarah Spain played multiple sports, primarily as a heptathlete in track and field during college at Cornell University, where she served as co-captain of the Cornell Big Red team. At Lake Forest High School, she excelled as MVP and captain in track and field, field hockey, and basketball, earning All-State honors in track and field hockey plus All-Eastern in basketball. Spain competed in Division I track and field as a heptathlete at Cornell, where she majored in English, building on her three-sport high school background that included recruitment for all three.