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{{Short description|American reporter and broadcaster}}
{{use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Michele Tafoya | name = Michele Tafoya
| image = WAS at PHI Jan 2021 D50 4773 (50804581278) (cropped).jpg
| image =
| image_size = | image_size =
| caption = | caption = Tafoya in 2021
| birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date |53|2018|01|12}}<ref name=Artful/>
| birth_name =
| alma_mater = ] (])<br/>] (])
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|12|17}}
| party = ]
| birth_place = ], ], U.S.
| occupation = Sportscaster | occupation = {{hlist|Sportscaster|sideline reporter|political consultant}}
⚫ | spouse = Mark Vandersall
| years_active = 1993–present
| children = 2
⚫ | spouse = {{marriage|Mark Vandersall|2000}}
| awards = 5x ] winner
| module = {{infobox sports announcer details
| genre = ]<br>]
| sport = {{hlist|]|]|]}}
| employer = ] (2011–2022)<br />] (2000–2011)<br />] (1994–1999)
}}
}} }}


'''Michele Tafoya''' (born 1964/1965)<ref name=Artful/> is an American reporter and retired sports broadcaster. Most notably, from 2011 to 2022, she worked primarily as a ] for '']''. Over the course of her career, she covered the ], the ], and professional ]. Since Tafoya's departure from sportscasting, she has worked as a conservative political consultant and makes television appearances to discuss the state of American politics and culture.
'''Michele Tafoya Vandersall''' (born December 17, 1964, in ]), known professionally as '''Michele Tafoya''', is an ] ]. Since 2011, she has been a reporter for ], featuring as the ] for '']''.

==Biography==


===Early life and career=== ==Early life==
Tafoya received a B.A. in mass communications from the ] in 1988, and a masters in business administration from the ] in 1991.<ref name="NBC-Sports-bio">{{cite web |url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/michele-tafoya/ |title=Michele Tafoya |website=NBC Sports |accessdate=February 13, 2014}}</ref> Tafoya is the daughter of Wilma (née Conley) and Orlando Tafoya.<ref name=Artful/><ref name=Jacobs>{{Cite news|first=Melissa |last= Jacobs |authorlink= |title= Super Bowl 52 Q&A: NBC's Michele Tafoya |newspaper=thefootballgirl.com|date= January 31, 2018|url= https://thefootballgirl.com/super-bowl-52-qa-nbcs-michele-tafoya/ |quote=‘I’m a Hispanic and I’m a female and look at how great this is for me.’ I say, “’I’m Michele Tafoya. My mom is Wilma, My dad was Orlando. I have a brother and three sisters.}}</ref> She is of ] descent.<ref name=Jacobs/> She has one brother and three sisters.<ref name=Jacobs/> She attended ] in ].<ref name="MCHSalumni">{{Cite web|url=https://miracostaalumni.com/hall-of-fame/|title=Hall Of Fame |date=October 11, 2019 |publisher= Mira Costa High School Alumni|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref> She received a ] degree in mass communications from the ] in 1988, and a ] in business administration from the ] in 1991.<ref name="NBC-Sports-bio">{{cite web |url=http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/bio/michele-tafoya/ |title=Michele Tafoya |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=February 13, 2014}}</ref>


==Career==
Tafoya worked as a host and reporter for ] in ], primarily for ] and ] women's basketball broadcasts. She worked for WAQS-AM in ], where she went by the name '''Mickey Conley'''.<ref name="CharlotteObserver-20040504">{{cite news |last=Washburn |first=Mark |title=Tafoya lands 'MNF' sideline role |page=2C |newspaper=Charlotte Observer |date=May 4, 2004 |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=102623DADFECB83C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |accessdate=February 13, 2014}}</ref> She was the first female analyst to call UNC-Charlotte men's basketball games. Tafoya worked as a host and reporter for ] in ], primarily for ] and ] women's basketball broadcasts. She worked for WAQS (now ]) in ], where she went by the name '''Mickey Conley'''.<ref name="CharlotteObserver-20040504">{{cite news |last=Washburn |first=Mark |title=Tafoya lands 'MNF' sideline role |page=2C |newspaper=Charlotte Observer |date=May 4, 2004 |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=102623DADFECB83C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |access-date=February 13, 2014}}</ref> Conley is her mother's maiden name.<ref name=Artful>{{Cite news|first=Kate |last=Nelson |authorlink= |title= An Uncensored Interview with Michele Tafoya |newspaper=Artful Living|date=January 12, 2018 |url=https://artfulliving.com/michele-tafoya-gets-real/ |quote=The 53-year-old California native has called the Twin Cities home for nearly a quarter of a century, ever since a job at KFAN sports radio brought her to the frozen tundra....“Conley” happened because they didn’t think Tafoya was going to work well; they thought it was too ethnic. So I used my mom’s maiden name.}}</ref>


Tafoya also worked for the ], serving as a ] host and sideline reporter, as well as a play-by-play commentator for women's Big Ten basketball and ]. Tafoya also spent three years at ] in Minneapolis as a sports anchor and reporter. Tafoya also worked for the ], serving as a ] host and sideline reporter, as well as a play-by-play commentator for women's Big Ten basketball and ].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} Tafoya then spent three years at ] in Minneapolis as a sports anchor and reporter.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}


===CBS Sports=== ===CBS Sports===
Tafoya joined CBS Sports in September 1994 as a reporter and host for the CBS Television Network's sports anthology show '']'' and ] coverage. She served as a host of ''At The Half'' and as a reporter for ] games. She made her on-air debut at the ].<ref>{{Dead link|date=February 2014}}</ref> Tafoya joined CBS Sports in September 1994 as a reporter and host for the CBS Television Network's sports anthology show '']'' and ] coverage. She served as a host of ''At The Half'' and as a reporter for ] games. She made her on-air debut at the ].<ref name="HeavyBio">{{cite web|last1=Doody|first1=Ben|title=Michele Tafoya: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|url=http://heavy.com/sports/2014/09/michele-tafoya-age-height-husband-kids-bio-hot/|publisher=]|access-date=February 12, 2017|date= September 4, 2014|quote=...worked as a WNBA commentator on Lifetime from 1997-99}}</ref>


In 1996, Tafoya made history at CBS when she was the first woman to call television play-by-play of an ] tournament game. In 1997, The American Women in Radio and Television honored Tafoya with a ] for "Outstanding Achievement by an Individual On-Air TV Personality" for her play-by-play calling of ] games on ]. In 1997, The American Women in Radio and Television honored Tafoya with a ] for "Outstanding Achievement by an Individual On-Air TV Personality" for her play-by-play calling of ] games on ].<ref name="HeavyBio"/> Tafoya served as a reporter for the network's coverage of the ], college football—including the ]—and was late-night co-host with ] of the ] in ].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} In addition to her diverse assignments, Tafoya hosted CBS's ] selection show, ] and the ] coverage. She left CBS at the end of 1999, after five years with the network.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Tafoya served as a reporter for the network's coverage of the ], college football – including the ] – and was late-night co-host with ] of the ] in ].

In addition to her diverse assignments, Tafoya hosted CBS' ] selection show, ] and the ] coverage. She left CBS at the end of 1999, after five years with the network.


===ABC Sports and ESPN=== ===ABC Sports and ESPN===
Michele Tafoya joined ] and ] in January 2000, and her profile has steadily risen through a variety of on-air roles. Tafoya worked for ESPN and ABC Sports as a ] for '']'' beginning in ]. She was the sideline reporter for ABC Sports' ''Monday Night Football'' in ]-]. Tafoya was a co-host for the ''] Show'' on ESPN radio. She helped ABC in their coverage of ] in Detroit as a sideline reporter with ]. Tafoya has worked as a sideline reporter since 2006. Tafoya joined ] and ] in January 2000, working as a ] for ABC Sports' ] during the ] and the ] before the program shifted to ESPN; she worked the sideline for '']'' beginning in ]. Tafoya was a co-host for the ''] Show'' on ESPN radio. She helped ABC in its coverage of ] in Detroit as a sideline reporter with ].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}


She was loaned to ] for the ] as a Reporter for ] and as the play-by-play woman for ]. She was loaned to ] for the ] as a Reporter for ] and as the play-by-play woman for ].


On October 10, 2003, Tafoya purposely poured beer over two fans beneath her luxury box at the Metrodome during a University of Minnesota versus ] game. Tafoya admitted to losing her composure and said she was embarrassed over the incident. She also issued a public apology.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2003/10/26/2003-10-26_it_s_mike_and_the_mad_giants.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Elliptical vs. treadmill: Which will give you the better workout?}}{{dead link|date=November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://articles.latimes.com/2003/nov/03/sports/sp-briefing3 | work=Los Angeles Times | first=John | last=Weyler | date=2003-11-03 | title=She Quickly Brought Matters to a Head}}</ref> On October 10, 2003, Tafoya poured beer over two fans beneath her luxury box at the Metrodome during a University of Minnesota versus ] game. Tafoya admitted to losing her composure and said she was embarrassed over the incident. She also issued a public apology.<ref name="BeerPour">{{cite news|last1=Hoffman|first1=Bill|title=REPORTER'S PRETTY POUR SHOWING|url=https://nypost.com/2003/10/17/reporters-pretty-pour-showing/|access-date=12 February 2017|work=The New York Post|date=17 October 2003|quote=I am so regretful, I can't even tell you.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-03-sp-briefing3-story.html | work=Los Angeles Times | first=John | last=Weyler | date=2003-11-03 | title=She Quickly Brought Matters to a Head}}</ref>


Tafoya formerly worked at ] games on ] and ]. On October 21, 2008, she announced she would be resigning from her duties as head NBA sideline reporter.<ref name="StarTrib1">{{cite news | last = Zulgad | first = Judd | title = Tafoya gives up NBA duties | work = Timberwolves | publisher = ] | date = 2008-10-21 | url = http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/31813654.html | accessdate = 2008-10-21| archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5bkImjTVg | archivedate = 2008-10-21}}</ref> Tafoya formerly worked at ] games on ] and ]. On October 21, 2008, she announced she would be resigning from her duties as head NBA sideline reporter.<ref name="StarTrib1">{{cite news|last=Zulgad |first=Judd |title=Tafoya gives up NBA duties |work=Timberwolves |publisher=] |date=2008-10-21 |url=http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/31813654.html |access-date=2008-10-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024125627/http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/31813654.html |archive-date=2008-10-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Tafoya's other previous roles included a stint as the men’s and women’s NCAA basketball play-by-play and studio host, and as a ] and ] sideline reporter. She also has served as a substitute host on '']'' and as a panelist on ''] II''. Her other ESPN assignments have included calling ] games, also hosting ] telecasts and working on ESPN’s college basketball selection shows as a reporter. She also was a correspondent for '']'' and '']''. Tafoya's other previous roles included a stint as the men's and women's NCAA basketball play-by-play and studio host and as a ] and ] sideline reporter. She also has served as a substitute host on '']'' and as a panelist on ''] II''. Her other ESPN assignments have included calling ] games as well as hosting ] telecasts and working on ESPN's college basketball selection shows as a reporter. She also was a correspondent for '']'' and '']''.


In 2006, the Davie-Brown Index ranked Tafoya among the most likeable TV sports personalities, including Biggest Trend-Setter. In 2006, the Davie-Brown Index ranked Tafoya among the most likable TV sports personalities, including Biggest Trend-Setter.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} At the end of the 2010-2011 NFL season, she left ESPN for NBC Sports.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

At the end of the 2010-2011 NFL Season, she left ESPN for NBC Sports.


===Return to WCCO=== ===Return to WCCO===
Tafoya was announced as the new evening ] ] host for ] on April 19, 2009.<ref name="wcco2009">Gustafson, Amy Carlson - . TwinCities.com Pioneer Press, April 19, 2009</ref> Her show began on June 1, 2009, where she teamed with afternoon host and lead-in ] on the schedule from 3-3:30&nbsp;p.m., with Tafoya taking over from 3:30-6 p.m.<ref name="wcco2009" /> Her hosting ended on Friday, January 27, 2012.<ref name="wcco2012">. CBS News, January 24, 2012</ref> She made the decision ahead of her schedule becoming busier with the Super Bowl and London Olympics.<ref name="wcco2012"/>
Tafoya was announced as the new evening ] ] host for ] on April 20, 2009. Her show began on June 1, 2009 and ended on January 27, 2012.

===KQRS Radio===
Tafoya joined "The KQ Morning Show" on ] as co-host with long-time KQ morning personality ] on September 8, 2016.<ref name="kqrs">Venta, Lance - . Radio Insight, March 9, 2020</ref> She left the KQRS morning show in March 2020.<ref name="kqrs"/> The team dynamics were well received.<ref>. CBS News, November 21, 2016</ref>


===NBC Sports=== ===NBC Sports===
] in January 2021]]
On May 4, 2011, Tafoya was announced as the new sideline reporter for '']'', replacing ] and rejoining former co-worker and announcer, Al Michaels.<ref>http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/05/04/michele-tafoya-joins-sunday-night-football-as-sideline-reporter/91503</ref>
On May 4, 2011, Tafoya was announced as the new sideline reporter for '']'', replacing ] and rejoining former co-worker and announcer ].<ref name="TVbyNumbers">{{cite web|title=Michele Tafoya Joins "Sunday Night Football" As Sideline Reporter|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/network-press-releases/michele-tafoya-joins-sunday-night-football-as-sideline-reporter/91503/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213163941/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/network-press-releases/michele-tafoya-joins-sunday-night-football-as-sideline-reporter/91503/|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 February 2017|website=TV By the Numbers|access-date=February 12, 2017|date= May 4, 2011}}</ref> Tafoya has also covered ] during the ] for ].

Andrew Marchand of the '']'' reported that Tafoya would leave ''Sunday Night Football'' following the ].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marchand|first=Andrew|date=2021-12-14|title=Michele Tafoya done with sideline reporting after this NFL season|url=https://nypost.com/2021/12/14/michele-tafoya-done-with-sideline-reporting-after-nfl-season/|access-date=2021-12-15|website=New York Post|language=en-US}}</ref> On January 11, 2022, NBC confirmed in a press release that Tafoya would depart the network, with ] as her final assignment, to pursue other opportunities.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Young|first=Ryan|date=2022-01-11|title=Michele Tafoya leaving NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' after Super Bowl LVI|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/michele-tafoya-leaving-nbc-sunday-night-football-after-super-bowl-012054810.html|access-date=2022-01-12|website=Yahoo! Sports|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Politics ===
On February 14, 2022, a day after her departure from NBC Sports, ] Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls announced Tafoya would be joining his campaign as co-chair.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Justin|first=Neal|date=February 14, 2022|title=Michele Tafoya signs off from final Super Bowl with little fanfare, jumps into politics|url=https://www.startribune.com/michele-tafoya-signs-off-from-her-final-super-bowl-with-little-fanfare-kendall-qualls/600146501/|access-date=2022-02-15|website=Star Tribune}}</ref> Qualls later withdrew from the race.


===Personal life=== ==Personal life==
Tafoya married Mark Vandersall in 2000, and gave birth to her first child in November 2005. Tafoya and Vandersall later adopted a baby girl more than two years later. Tafoya lives in ], ].<ref name="StarTrib1" /> In 2007, she told WCCO-TV that she had been struggling with an eating disorder since she was a child.<ref name="eatingdisorder">{{cite news|title=Michele Tafoya's Struggle with Eating Disorders |work=News |publisher=] |date=2007-11-16 |url=http://wcco.com/health/michele.tofoya.eating.2.569502.html |accessdate=2009-06-07 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203220152/http://wcco.com/health/michele.tofoya.eating.2.569502.html |archivedate=December 3, 2008 }}</ref> Her husband,Vandersall, is currently the co-founder of Hub Names LLC.<ref name="Vandersall-bio">{{cite web |url=http://www.hubnames.com/ |title=Hub Names LLC |website=Hub Names |accessdate=October 10, 2015}}</ref> Tafoya had three pregnancies of four children end in miscarriage before carrying her son to term.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://liverampup.com/entertainment/after-four-miscarriages-michele-tafoya-got-pregnant-mother-s-sacrifice-her-baby-married-life-husband.html|title=After Four Miscarriages, Michele Tafoya got Pregnant at the age of 40: Mother's Sacrifice for Her Baby: Married life, Husband|website=LIVERAMPUP|date=April 30, 2019 |accessdate=April 6, 2023}}</ref> She and her husband, Mark Vandersall, have a biological son and daughter by adoption.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="StarTrib1" /> The family lives in ].<ref name="StarTrib1" /> In 2007, she told WCCO-TV that she had been struggling with an eating disorder since she was a child.<ref name="eatingdisorder">{{cite news|title=Michele Tafoya's Struggle with Eating Disorders |work=News |publisher=] |date=2007-11-16 |url=http://wcco.com/health/michele.tofoya.eating.2.569502.html |access-date=2009-06-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203220152/http://wcco.com/health/michele.tofoya.eating.2.569502.html |archive-date=December 3, 2008 }}</ref>


Tafoya is known for her political postings on her personal social media accounts. She describes herself as a "pro-choice conservative with libertarian leanings." She also said that she is pretty moderate in her beliefs and not an extreme or unreasonable conservative. Notwithstanding this, her sister works for the ] administration.<ref name="Michele Tafoya on working 200th NFL game">{{cite news | title = Michele Tafoya on Working 200th NFL Game | work = SI.com | publisher= ] | date = 2015-12-07 | url =http://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/12/06/media-circus-michelle-tafoya-sunday-night-football-lorne-rubenstein | accessdate = 2015-12-07}}</ref> Tafoya describes herself as a "] conservative with libertarian leanings".<ref name="Michele Tafoya on working 200th NFL game">{{cite news | title = Michele Tafoya on Working 200th NFL Game | work = SI.com | publisher= ] | date = 2015-12-07 | url =https://www.si.com/more-sports/2015/12/06/media-circus-michelle-tafoya-sunday-night-football-lorne-rubenstein | access-date = 2015-12-07}}</ref>


==Career timeline== ==Career timeline==
*1998: ] Late-Night Host<ref name=autogenerated1> {{wayback|url=http://www.espnmediazone.com/bios/Talent/Tafoya_Michele.htm |date=20080705094754 }}</ref> *1998: ] Late-Night Host<ref name=autogenerated1>{{Cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705094754/http://www.espnmediazone.com/bios/Talent/Tafoya_Michele.htm|url-status=dead|title=ESPN Press Room|archivedate=July 5, 2008|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|access-date=April 6, 2023}}</ref>
* 1994&ndash;1999: '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 /> * 1994&ndash;1997 & 1999 '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 />
*1998: '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 /> *1998: '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 />
*1999: '']'' Sideline Reporter
*2000&ndash;2003: '']'' sideline reporter *2000&ndash;2003: '']'' sideline reporter
*2002&ndash;2003: '']'' reporter *2002&ndash;2003: '']'' reporter
*2004&ndash;2011: '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 /> *2004&ndash;2010: '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 />
*2002&ndash;2008: '']'' and '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 /> *2002&ndash;2008: '']'' and '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 />
*2009&ndash;2012: ] Afternoon Drive Host *2009&ndash;2012: ] Afternoon Drive Host
*2011&ndash;present: '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 /> *2011&ndash;2021: '']'' Sideline Reporter<ref name=autogenerated1 />
*2016&ndash;2020: '']'' Morning Show Co-host<ref name=autogenerated1 />
*2022&ndash;present: Left ''NBC'' to become a freelance reporter


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|1650208}}
*{{Facebook|MicheleTafoyaNBC}}


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Latest revision as of 03:29, 30 December 2024

American reporter and broadcaster

Michele Tafoya
Tafoya in 2021
Born1964 or 1965 (age 59–60)
Alma materUniversity of California, Berkeley (BA)
University of Southern California (MA)
Occupations
  • Sportscaster
  • sideline reporter
  • political consultant
Political partyRepublican
SpouseMark Vandersall
Children2
Awards5x Sports Emmy Award winner
Sports commentary career
Genre(s)Play-by-play
Sideline reporter
Sports
EmployerNBC Sports (2011–2022)
ESPN (2000–2011)
CBS Sports (1994–1999)

Michele Tafoya (born 1964/1965) is an American reporter and retired sports broadcaster. Most notably, from 2011 to 2022, she worked primarily as a sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football. Over the course of her career, she covered the National Football League, the Olympics, and professional basketball. Since Tafoya's departure from sportscasting, she has worked as a conservative political consultant and makes television appearances to discuss the state of American politics and culture.

Early life

Tafoya is the daughter of Wilma (née Conley) and Orlando Tafoya. She is of Hispanic descent. She has one brother and three sisters. She attended Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in mass communications from the University of California, Berkeley in 1988, and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Southern California in 1991.

Career

Tafoya worked as a host and reporter for KFAN-AM in Minneapolis, primarily for Minnesota Vikings and University of Minnesota women's basketball broadcasts. She worked for WAQS (now WFNZ) in Charlotte, where she went by the name Mickey Conley. Conley is her mother's maiden name.

Tafoya also worked for the Midwest Sports Channel, serving as a Minnesota Timberwolves host and sideline reporter, as well as a play-by-play commentator for women's Big Ten basketball and volleyball. Tafoya then spent three years at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis as a sports anchor and reporter.

CBS Sports

Tafoya joined CBS Sports in September 1994 as a reporter and host for the CBS Television Network's sports anthology show CBS Sports Spectacular and college basketball coverage. She served as a host of At The Half and as a reporter for college football games. She made her on-air debut at the 1994 U.S. Open Tennis Championships.

In 1997, The American Women in Radio and Television honored Tafoya with a Gracie Award for "Outstanding Achievement by an Individual On-Air TV Personality" for her play-by-play calling of WNBA games on Lifetime Television. Tafoya served as a reporter for the network's coverage of the NFL, college football—including the 1998 National Championship Orange Bowl—and was late-night co-host with Al Trautwig of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. In addition to her diverse assignments, Tafoya hosted CBS's NCAA Tournament selection show, Goodwill Games and the U.S Open Tennis Championships coverage. She left CBS at the end of 1999, after five years with the network.

ABC Sports and ESPN

Tafoya joined ESPN and ABC Sports in January 2000, working as a sideline reporter for ABC Sports' Monday Night Football during the 2004 NFL season and the 2005 NFL season before the program shifted to ESPN; she worked the sideline for ESPN Monday Night Football beginning in 2006. Tafoya was a co-host for the Mike Tirico Show on ESPN radio. She helped ABC in its coverage of Super Bowl XL in Detroit as a sideline reporter with Suzy Kolber.

She was loaned to NBC Sports for the 2000 Sydney Olympics as a Reporter for Rhythmic Gymnastics and as the play-by-play woman for softball.

On October 10, 2003, Tafoya poured beer over two fans beneath her luxury box at the Metrodome during a University of Minnesota versus University of Michigan game. Tafoya admitted to losing her composure and said she was embarrassed over the incident. She also issued a public apology.

Tafoya formerly worked at NBA games on ABC and ESPN. On October 21, 2008, she announced she would be resigning from her duties as head NBA sideline reporter.

Tafoya's other previous roles included a stint as the men's and women's NCAA basketball play-by-play and studio host and as a college football and basketball sideline reporter. She also has served as a substitute host on Pardon the Interruption and as a panelist on The Sports Reporters II. Her other ESPN assignments have included calling WNBA games as well as hosting skiing telecasts and working on ESPN's college basketball selection shows as a reporter. She also was a correspondent for SportsCenter and Outside the Lines.

In 2006, the Davie-Brown Index ranked Tafoya among the most likable TV sports personalities, including Biggest Trend-Setter. At the end of the 2010-2011 NFL season, she left ESPN for NBC Sports.

Return to WCCO

Tafoya was announced as the new evening drive time talk radio host for WCCO-AM on April 19, 2009. Her show began on June 1, 2009, where she teamed with afternoon host and lead-in Don Shelby on the schedule from 3-3:30 p.m., with Tafoya taking over from 3:30-6 p.m. Her hosting ended on Friday, January 27, 2012. She made the decision ahead of her schedule becoming busier with the Super Bowl and London Olympics.

KQRS Radio

Tafoya joined "The KQ Morning Show" on KQRS-FM as co-host with long-time KQ morning personality Tom Barnard on September 8, 2016. She left the KQRS morning show in March 2020. The team dynamics were well received.

NBC Sports

Michele Tafoya as sideline reporter for NBC Sports in January 2021

On May 4, 2011, Tafoya was announced as the new sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football, replacing Andrea Kremer and rejoining former co-worker and announcer Al Michaels. Tafoya has also covered swimming during the Summer Olympics for NBC.

Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reported that Tafoya would leave Sunday Night Football following the 2021 season. On January 11, 2022, NBC confirmed in a press release that Tafoya would depart the network, with Super Bowl LVI as her final assignment, to pursue other opportunities.

Politics

On February 14, 2022, a day after her departure from NBC Sports, Republican Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Kendall Qualls announced Tafoya would be joining his campaign as co-chair. Qualls later withdrew from the race.

Personal life

Tafoya had three pregnancies of four children end in miscarriage before carrying her son to term. She and her husband, Mark Vandersall, have a biological son and daughter by adoption. The family lives in Edina, Minnesota. In 2007, she told WCCO-TV that she had been struggling with an eating disorder since she was a child.

Tafoya describes herself as a "pro-choice conservative with libertarian leanings".

Career timeline

References

  1. ^ Nelson, Kate (January 12, 2018). "An Uncensored Interview with Michele Tafoya". Artful Living. The 53-year-old California native has called the Twin Cities home for nearly a quarter of a century, ever since a job at KFAN sports radio brought her to the frozen tundra...."Conley" happened because they didn't think Tafoya was going to work well; they thought it was too ethnic. So I used my mom's maiden name.
  2. ^ Jacobs, Melissa (January 31, 2018). "Super Bowl 52 Q&A: NBC's Michele Tafoya". thefootballgirl.com. 'I'm a Hispanic and I'm a female and look at how great this is for me.' I say, "'I'm Michele Tafoya. My mom is Wilma, My dad was Orlando. I have a brother and three sisters.
  3. "Hall Of Fame". Mira Costa High School Alumni. October 11, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  4. "Michele Tafoya". NBC Sports. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  5. Washburn, Mark (May 4, 2004). "Tafoya lands 'MNF' sideline role". Charlotte Observer. p. 2C. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
  6. ^ Doody, Ben (September 4, 2014). "Michele Tafoya: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy. Retrieved February 12, 2017. ...worked as a WNBA commentator on Lifetime from 1997-99
  7. Hoffman, Bill (October 17, 2003). "REPORTER'S PRETTY POUR SHOWING". The New York Post. Retrieved February 12, 2017. I am so regretful, I can't even tell you.
  8. Weyler, John (November 3, 2003). "She Quickly Brought Matters to a Head". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ^ Zulgad, Judd (October 21, 2008). "Tafoya gives up NBA duties". Timberwolves. Star Tribune. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved October 21, 2008.
  10. ^ Gustafson, Amy Carlson - Michele Tafoya gets WCCO-AM drive-time slot. TwinCities.com Pioneer Press, April 19, 2009
  11. ^ Michele Tafoya Ending Show On WCCO Radio. CBS News, January 24, 2012
  12. ^ Venta, Lance - Michelle Tafoya Exits KQRS Morning Show. Radio Insight, March 9, 2020
  13. Tafoya & Barnard Proving To Be Electric Pairing For KQRS. CBS News, November 21, 2016
  14. "Michele Tafoya Joins "Sunday Night Football" As Sideline Reporter". TV By the Numbers. May 4, 2011. Archived from the original on February 13, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  15. Marchand, Andrew (December 14, 2021). "Michele Tafoya done with sideline reporting after this NFL season". New York Post. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  16. Young, Ryan (January 11, 2022). "Michele Tafoya leaving NBC's 'Sunday Night Football' after Super Bowl LVI". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  17. Justin, Neal (February 14, 2022). "Michele Tafoya signs off from final Super Bowl with little fanfare, jumps into politics". Star Tribune. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  18. ^ "After Four Miscarriages, Michele Tafoya got Pregnant at the age of 40: Mother's Sacrifice for Her Baby: Married life, Husband". LIVERAMPUP. April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  19. "Michele Tafoya's Struggle with Eating Disorders". News. WCCO-TV. November 16, 2007. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2009.
  20. "Michele Tafoya on Working 200th NFL Game". SI.com. Time Inc. December 7, 2015. Retrieved December 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "ESPN Press Room". ESPN Press Room U.S. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved April 6, 2023.

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