ESPN Re-Signs Reporter and Host, Marty Smith, to Multi-Year Extension

ESPN has re-signed their versatile reporter and host, Marty Smith, to a multi-year extension.

What's Happening:

• ESPN has re-signed one of their multifaceted reporters and hosts, Marty Smith, to a multi-year extension.
• Smith will continue to work on a variety of properties, including college football, golf, the NFL Draft, and much more, in addition to co-hosting SEC Network’s Marty & McGee alongside Ryan McGee on Saturday mornings.
• Smith will play a pivotal reporting role in ESPN’s upcoming Master’s coverage, bringing his signature storytelling to Augusta.
• Smith will continue to report and contribute features across high-profile studio shows, including College GameDay, SportsCenter and SEC Nation, as well as championship events like the College Football Playoff.
•  Smith annually contributes to ESPN’s coverage of major championship golf, serving as a reporter at both the Masters and the PGA Championship. In 2025, Smith added TGL, interviewing players, officials and celebrities at the tech-centric indoor golf matches.

What They're Saying:

• Marty Smith: “Working at ESPN is such an immense joy. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years. I walked in the door in 2006 with no concept of how to make television. I went to ESPN University, and I learned very quickly that television is a team sport, especially given the platforms and pressure our company commands, and the excellence it demands. My gratitude to Jimmy Pitaro, Burke Magnus and Mike McQuade is immeasurable. Likewise, my admiration for the countless talented show producers, feature producers and field generals who live in the mud with me every day is boundless. The most talented group in television, who have always championed the professional and the person I am and strive to be...Thank you for your belief in me, all of you, and for offering me opportunity to tell stories at the intersection of sport and life, and how they intertwine to inspire us all. It is beyond the wildest dream I ever could have conjured growing up in Appalachia. To my on-air teammates, the hosts, analysts and reporters that are the faces and personalities that fans welcome into their living rooms every single day, thank you for sharing your insight and friendship with me. Your talent challenges me to be better... Equally important in this journey is my beautiful wife and best friend, Lainie, and our kids, Cambron, Mia and Vivian. They’ve all had to sacrifice so that I can live a dream. In our business, you simply cannot be great without a clear mind, and a tremendous support and belief system at home. Thank you and I love you. Ultimately, I’m grateful. I’m grateful for the challenge, for the camaraderie, and above all, for the relationships. Coaches. Players. Golfers. Racers. I look forward to many more years as a small conduit to the passion and pageantry of sport.”
• Mike McQuade, ESPN’s Executive Vice President of Sports Production: “Marty is one of our most versatile and distinctive voices – a relentless reporter and storyteller who consistently elevates ESPN’s coverage of college football, golf, and other major events. His unique ability to connect with interview subjects allows our viewers to better understand athletes, coaches, and other prominent figures beyond their on-field performances.”

Smith @ ESPN:

• Smith joined ESPN back in 2006, initially to cover NASCAR and their events. Over time, he expanded into college football, the NFL, and broader feature storytelling.
• He has been able to build trust with athletes, which in turn has helped him transition from beat reporting to more in-depth, human interest pieces at the network. He has since become a regular personality on shows like SportsCenter and has contributed to longform storytelling through ESPN's features and digital platforms.
• In his 20 years at the network, he has become a master of the sports journalism craft, and has had a number of memorable conversations with Tiger Woods, Nick Saban, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
• Smith also contributes annually to ESPN's coverage of major championship golf, serving as a reporter at both the Masters and the PGS Championship. He added to this portfolio in 2025 with TGL, where he interviewed players, officials, and celebrities at the tech-centric indoor golf matches.