Sarah Spain
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Sarah Spain earned Emmy and Peabody Awards as a sports journalist after excelling as a multi-sport athlete and heptathlete at Cornell University, becoming co-captain.
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FULL BIO: Sarah Spain
Hold up—Sarah Spain isn’t tearing up racetracks, she’s dominating sports journalism with the same competitive fire that made her a standout athlete. This Emmy and Peabody Award-winning powerhouse has built an empire in sports media while championing women’s athletics and proving that sometimes the most impactful victories happen off the track.
EARLY YEARS
Born August 18, 1980, in Cleveland, Ohio, Sarah Spain was raised in Lake Forest, Illinois, where her athletic prowess emerged early and often. At Lake Forest High School, she wasn’t just participating in sports—she was dominating them, serving as MVP and captain across track and field, field hockey, and basketball. This triple-threat approach to athletics would become a signature Spain move: why excel at one thing when you can conquer three? Her competitive drive earned her a spot at Cornell University, where she majored in English while competing as a heptathlete on the track and field team, eventually becoming co-captain her senior year.
OTHER INTERESTS
Before Spain became a household name in sports journalism, she took a detour into comedy—because apparently being a multi-sport athlete and English major wasn’t challenging enough. This creative pursuit showcased her quick wit and sharp timing, skills that would later become her trademark in sports media. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-own the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League, putting her money where her mouth is when it comes to supporting women’s sports. Spain also co-founded “Hear The Cheers,” a nonprofit providing hearing aids and equipment to kids so they can participate in sports and activities—proving she’s as committed to breaking down barriers as she is to breaking stories.
EARLY SUCCESS
Spain’s transition from athlete to sports journalist wasn’t just successful—it was meteoric. Her combination of athletic credibility, sharp wit, and no-nonsense approach quickly caught ESPN’s attention. She understood sports from the inside out, having lived the grind of training, competition, and team dynamics. This authentic perspective, paired with her English degree’s foundation in storytelling and analysis, created a journalist who could speak to both hardcore fans and casual viewers with equal authority. Her early work demonstrated an ability to tackle serious sports issues while maintaining the personality and humor that made her content genuinely enjoyable to consume.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2017: Named to Crain’s Chicago Business “40 Under 40” list.
- Emmy and Peabody Award winner for sports journalism excellence.
- Co-owner of Chicago Red Stars, National Women’s Soccer League.
- Co-founder of “Hear The Cheers” nonprofit organization.
- Member of Gatorade Women’s Advisory Board.
- Board member of Embarc, supporting low-income high school students.
INSPIRATIONS
While specific influences aren’t documented in available research, Spain’s career trajectory suggests inspiration drawn from her own athletic experiences and the barriers she encountered as a female athlete. Her commitment to supporting women’s sports through ownership, journalism, and nonprofit work indicates a drive to create the representation and opportunities she may have wished for during her own competitive years.
REPUTATION
Spain has earned recognition as one of sports journalism’s most authentic and impactful voices, particularly in advancing women’s athletics. Her Emmy and Peabody Awards speak to her technical excellence, while her business ventures and nonprofit work demonstrate a commitment to systemic change rather than just commentary. In an industry often criticized for superficial coverage of women’s sports, she’s built a reputation as someone who doesn’t just talk about equality—she invests in it, literally and figuratively. Her ability to balance serious journalism with genuine personality has made her a trusted voice for fans who want both substance and entertainment from their sports media.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Based on available research, specific future plans for 2025 and beyond are not documented, though her continued involvement with ESPN and ongoing business ventures suggest she’ll remain a prominent voice in sports journalism and women’s athletics advocacy.
References:
Lake Forest High School Athletic Records
Cornell University Alumni Profile
ESPN Biography and Career History
Chicago Red Stars Ownership and Hear The Cheers Foundation
Have Sarah updates or corrections? Please let us know – We’d love to keep this profile current.
