Charissa Thompson confessed to making up quotes and her Fox Sports career survived it all
Charissa Thompson has built one of the most recognizable careers in American sports broadcasting. She has worked across television, podcasting, and live events for nearly two decades. But in 2023, she made an admission that put all of it at risk.
I've said this before, so I haven't been fired for saying it, but I'll say it again. I would make up the report sometimes because the coach wouldn't come out at halftime or it was too late.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Thompson admitted on a podcast that she sometimes fabricated sideline reports when coaches were unavailable at halftime.
- The confession drew immediate backlash from fellow sports broadcasters, including Tracy Wolfson and Molly McGrath.
- Fox Sports stood by Thompson, and she went on to sign a long-term contract extension ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
- Thompson later clarified that she never attributed fabricated information directly to any coach or player.
Profile summary
Name | Charissa Jean Thompson |
Gender | Female |
Birthdate | May 4, 1982 |
Zodiac sign | Taurus |
Age | 44 years (as of 2026) |
Birthplace | Seattle, Washington, the United States of America |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Caucasian |
Hair colour | Blonde |
Eye colour | Grey |
Height | 5 feet 9 inches |
Marital status | Divorced |
Relationship status | Dating |
Occupation | Sportscaster, television host, sports analyst, podcast host, interior decorator |
Net worth | $3 million |
Social media |
Who is Charissa Thompson?
Charissa Thompson is an American sports broadcaster and television host. She was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. She grew up in a family of five, alongside her parents Scott and Cathy Thompson, a brother, and a sister.
Thompson built her name in sports media over two decades. She became widely recognized as a host on Fox Sports and the NFL Network. Her on-screen presence made her one of the most visible women in American sports broadcasting.
Away from the studio, she has kept much of her personal life private. She has, however, been open about her career journey and its challenges. That openness would later extend to a candid and controversial confession about her reporting practices.
Source: Original
The fabricated sideline reports
Thompson made the admission during an episode of the Pardon My Take podcast. She admitted that she would make up reports when a coach was not available during halftime or it was too late. She confessed,
I was like, I didn't want to screw up the report, so I was like, I'm just going to make this up.
Thompson added that she assumed coaches would not dispute reports built around generic observations.
Hey, we need to stop hurting ourselves, we need to be better on third down, we need to stop turning the ball over and do a better job of getting off the field. Like, they're not going to correct me on that. So I'm like, it's fine, I'll just make up the report.
Charissa Thompson's video clip went viral and drew criticism from peers including CBS Sports' Tracy Wolfson and ESPN's Molly McGrath. McGrath said the practice was not normal or ethical for a reporter in that role.
Fox Sports colleague Erin Andrews, on the same podcast, said she had done the same, adding that she once fabricated a report to avoid throwing a coach under the bus because he had been giving her wrong information.
Thompson later posted a clarification on Instagram.
Working in the media I understand how important words are and I chose wrong words to describe the situation. I'm sorry. I have never lied about anything or been unethical during my time as a sports broadcaster.
She added:
In the absence of a coach providing any information that could further my report I would use information that I learned and saw during the first half to create my report. In these instances I never attributed anything said to a player or coach.
A career that outlasted the controversy
Before Thompson's broadcasting career took shape, she held a string of ordinary jobs. She worked as a bartender during college and waited tables at various restaurants. Those early years gave little indication of the career that would follow.
Her path into Fox Sports began in 2006, though not through sports. When an on-screen role was not immediately available, she joined the network in another capacity entirely, eventually earning her first on-air opportunity as a fill-in host for a Saturday evening Colorado Rockies all-access show in Denver. She volunteered for on-air assignments without pay until a permanent role came through.
Fox executives then approached her about a role on the nationally syndicated program Best D*mn Sports Show Period, based in Los Angeles. For two years she served as a regular host, while also appearing as a sideline reporter for Fox NFL and the Big Ten Network.
She left Fox Sports in 2010 and spent time at other networks. Those years included roles at ESPN, Versus, GSN, and the Big Ten Network, where she covered college football, basketball, and the NHL. She co-hosted Numbers Never Lie alongside Michael Smith at ESPN and later co-hosted Fox Sports Live upon returning to Fox in 2013.
Thompson's work has not been limited to sports. She co-hosted the syndicated entertainment news show Extra from 2014 to 2017 and hosted the Netflix reality show Ultimate Beastmaster in 2016. She has also covered major sporting events including the FIFA World Cup, the Vancouver Winter Olympics, the Super Bowl, and the NBA All-Star Game.
Today, Thompson hosts Fox NFL Kickoff and contributes to Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football pregame coverage, a role she has held since the property launched in 2022. Following speculation about her future after her contract expired at the end of the 2024 NFL season, Fox confirmed she and Erin Andrews had both signed lucrative long-term extensions ahead of the 2025 season.
Away from television, Thompson and Andrews co-host the podcast Calm Down with Erin and Charissa. Thompson also runs a design company, House & Home, focused on interior and exterior design.
Source: Getty Images
Charissa Thompson's education
Thompson attended Inglemoor High School in Kenmore, Washington, where she was already showing an interest in sports. She was a three-time lettered athlete in basketball, track, and volleyball.
After high school, she moved to California to attend community college and establish state residency before transferring to the University of California, Santa Barbara. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in law and society. Her degree had no direct link to sports broadcasting, but it laid the groundwork for a career built on communication and public life.
Thompson moved to Los Angeles after graduating. It was there that her sports broadcasting career began to take shape, starting with an entry-level role at Fox Sports.
Charissa Thompson's net worth and salary
Thompson's net worth is estimated at $3 million. Her primary income comes from hosting roles at Fox Sports and Amazon Prime Video. She reportedly earns a base salary of around $700,000 per year across both platforms.
Beyond broadcasting, she earns through brand partnerships with companies including Mercedes, Veronica Beard, and TCL. She also commands between $30,000 and $50,000 per speaking engagement.
Who is Charissa Thompson's husband?
Thompson is not currently married. She has been divorced twice and has said publicly that she does not plan to marry again. She is currently in a relationship with Steven Cundari, a marketing executive based in Los Angeles.
How many times has Charissa Thompson been married?
The broadcast journalist has been married twice. Charissa Thompson first husband's identity has never been made public. She married him at age 24, and has described the union as one she entered into when she was young.
Her second husband was Kyle Thousand, a sports agent. The couple got engaged in January 2020 and married in December 2020 in an small ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona. Thompson filed for divorce in April 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. She noted the couple had actually separated in 2021, meaning the marriage lasted roughly one year.
Thompson has since said she has no plans to marry again, telling a podcast host:
Just being with a man who is kind and doesn't take from me is commitment enough for me.
Does Charissa Thompson have any children?
Thompson and Thousand did not have any children during their marriage. Thompson has spoken openly about her decision not to have children, saying she always wanted them but her past experiences shaped her current outlook
Charissa Thompson measurements
She is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and she weighs 58 kg. Her body measurements are 36-24-35. She wears dress size 4 (US), and her shoe size is 8 (US).
Charissa Thompson has spent nearly two decades building one of the most durable careers in sports broadcasting. She has faced controversy and come out the other side. She is a television host, podcaster, and businesswoman. For young women pursuing careers in media, her journey remains a compelling example of professional resilience.
Legit.ng recently published a feature on ESPN female reporters: 30 women who make the channel what it is. Over the years, ESPN has featured incredibly talented female reporters who have connected well with the audience.
Key names like Malika Andrews, Holly Rowe, and Kendra Andrews have dominated the scenes, covering various sports, from the NFL to basketball and baseball. Learn more about these trailblazers.
Source: Legit.ng
Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
Sharon Boit (Lifestyle writer) Sharon J. Boit is a writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in digital publishing. She writes across lifestyle, entertainment, sports, education, and finance, with work featured on MSN News, Ihamba Adventures, Industry Biz, and Legit.ng. She previously worked as a project manager and researcher at the Center for Urban Research and Innovations, University of Nairobi. She holds a BA in Urban and Regional Planning and is pursuing an MA in Environmental Law. You can reach Sharon J. Boit by email at boit@gmail.com.
