She’s the face of Fox NFL Kickoff, the voice of Thursday Night Football on Prime, and the friend everyone wants on a podcast. Now, with her Fox Sports contract up, Charissa Thompson is reflecting on family, football, and the future of her career, with the kind of grace only she could pull off.
At 42, Thompson isn’t just anchoring pregame shows. She’s navigating the spotlight like a seasoned pro, even as headlines swirl around past controversies and current negotiations. From Malibu to the Super Bowl, here’s what’s really going on with the cool, collected queen of NFL TV.
From Seattle Roots to Sideline Stardom
Born and raised in Seattle, Charissa always had a microphone in mind. She made the move to California for college, eventually graduating from UC Santa Barbara with a degree in Law and Society. But courtroom life was never the plan. Sports TV was calling, and Thompson answered.
Her early years saw her bouncing between networks like FSN, Big Ten Network, and Yahoo Sports. Whether it was college football, MLB’s red carpet, or the Olympics, she brought the same magnetic presence. She even dyed her hair black during NFL sideline stints, hoping to break free of the “Barbie” label. (Spoiler: she went back to blonde.)
But her real breakout came with ESPN’s Numbers Never Lie and SportsNation. Then, in 2013, she returned to Fox Sports. And this time as a primetime face.
Calm, Collected, and… Contract-Free?
After more than a decade with Fox, Thompson’s contract quietly expired at the end of the 2024 NFL season. But if she’s stressed, you wouldn’t know it.
On her Calm Down podcast with BFF and fellow Fox reporter Erin Andrews, Charissa recently opened up about how much the network means to her, especially after Fox rolled out the red carpet for her family at Super Bowl 2025 in New Orleans.
“Fox is family to me,” she said. “My brother and my dad came to the Super Bowl… and Fox just made sure they felt so welcome. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how wonderful my extended work family is.”
No formal announcement has been made yet about her contract status, but all signs point to Thompson sticking around, whether it’s with Fox, Amazon, or somewhere new.
TNF, Podcasts, and Prime-Time Vibes
In addition to her Fox hosting duties, Charissa leads Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football coverage, introducing viewers to a slick, streaming-first experience alongside names like Tony Gonzalez and Richard Sherman. She’s also carved out a niche with Calm Down, her weekly podcast where she and Andrews unpack football, friendships, and everything in between.
The chemistry is undeniable, and so is the influence. Whether discussing Super Bowl prep or personal heartbreak, Charissa’s authenticity resonates. And she’s not afraid to laugh at herself either. “I blacked out on national TV,” she joked after a pregame blooper. “We move.”
Is She Dating? Still in Malibu—and Loving Life with Tommy
Charissa’s personal life has always been a little quieter than her game-day persona. But lately, fans have been getting more than a few glimpses behind the curtain.
She was previously married at 25 and later tied the knot with sports agent Kyle Thousand in 2020. That marriage ended in 2022, and for a while, Thompson kept dating rumors low-key.
Today, she still resides in Malibu, balancing studio prep with beach runs and podcast edits. But she’s no longer solo. In early 2025, Charissa made it Instagram-official with a new guy named Tommy (real name Steven Cundari). From Valentine’s Day tributes to affectionate birthday posts, he’s become a recurring presence on her feed.
“I sure do love ya, Tommy,” she wrote in February. “Love, your ol’ ball & chain.”
Still, don’t expect a wedding hashtag. On Calm Down, Charissa made it clear: she’s not looking to get married again—just happy, grounded, and doing life her way.
What’s Next for the Coolest Host in the Game?
Between her two major NFL hosting gigs, a hit podcast, and viral moments (hello, Barstool spelling bee), Thompson seems less focused on what’s ending and more on what’s possible. Whether she re-signs with Fox or launches a new chapter elsewhere, she’s cemented her place as a trailblazer, and a fan favorite.
