Melissa Stark became a trailblazer in sports journalism after becoming one of the first women to build a successful career in the industry.
Stark is serving as the lead sideline reporter for the 2026 Super Bowl in Santa Clara, California, 23 years after making her Super Bowl reporting debut in 2003. At that time, it was rare to see a female sports reporter in a lead role.
“Being one of the first women in sports during my first Super Bowl, it was an anomaly at the time,” Stark told Streaking the Lawn, a University of Virginia outlet. “Now it’s much more commonplace. There are so many more opportunities for women, in any avenue they want to pursue, and that is expected.”
Keep scrolling to read more about the veteran sports reporter:
Is Mike Vrabel Married? Meet Jen Vrabel, Wife of the Patriots Head Coach
Stark’s Dad Worked For the Baltimore Colts
Stark’s interest in sports started from a young age, when her dad, Walter, worked for the Baltimore Colts.
Walter was a renowned eye surgeon and treated the team’s players for any eye injuries. He brought Stark to the games and introduced her to football.
He passed away in 2024.
“My dad squeezed 10 lifetimes into 1,” Stark wrote in an Instagram post at the time of his passing. “He never left the state of Oklahoma until he was 18 and then he went on to travel and change lives around the world.”
She continued, “He would take us to the Baltimore Colts games and I would go with him to the locker room at half time when he checked their eyes. He was my introduction to the NFL. … He inspired me from a young age to follow my dreams and always told me there was nothing I couldn’t do….but that I had to give everything 110 percent.”
Worked As the Lead Sideline Reporter for Super Bowl XXXVII
Super Bowl LX marks the second time Stark will report on the big game.
In 2003 — while working at ABC — Stark covered Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego. The Tampa Buccaneers defeated the Oakland Raiders (now Las Vegas Raiders), 48-21, to take the title that season.
Now, 23 years later, Stark will once again be boots on the ground for the Super Bowl.
Melissa Stark at the Opening Night Gala of the 2025 Laver Cup Miikka Skaffari/Getty ImagesHas Four Children With Her Husband, Mike Lilley
Stark has been married to Mike Lilley since 2001. The couple met in the early 1990s, before Stark’s reporting career really took off. Stark and Lilley have kept their relationship private for the most part, despite Stark’s very public job.
The two share four children together — two boys, Michael Jr. and Jackson, and twin girls, Clara and Clemmie.
Drake Maye's Wife Ann Michael Maye Offers Glimpse of 2026 Super Bowl Weekend
Graduated Magma Cum Laude From the University of Virginia
Stark graduated from the University of Virginia with Magma Cum Laude honors. Her oldest son, Michael Jr, followed in her footsteps in attending UVA, and is graduating in 2026.
Started Her Career As a News Intern At WMAR-TV In Baltimore
Stark’s long career has undoubtedly been one for the storybooks, and it all started over 30 years ago at a local TV station in her hometown of Baltimore. Stark began her journey as a news intern at WMAR-TV, the local CBS affiliate, and has since gained notoriety by working some of the biggest events in sports, including multiple championships and even the Olympics for many different outlets.
Stark has previously worked at ABC, ESPN and NFL Network.
Hence then, the article about what to know about star super bowl lx sideline reporter melissa stark was published today ( ) and is available on Us magazine ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What to Know About Star Super Bowl LX Sideline Reporter Melissa Stark )
Also on site :
- Homemade dumplings are a Lunar New Year staple. Last week, a cafe invited those who’d never made them to give it a try.
- Trump strips endangered species protections for lesser prairie chicken, the dancing, booming grouse of the Southwest
- Man arrested in Telford on suspicion of possession of gun after Ketley incident