CHARISSA THOMPSON BIO

Charissa Thompson is one of sports and entertainment’s most versatile and recognizable personalities, currently hosting three prominent NFL programs: FOX NFL KICKOFF, the lead-in to FOX NFL SUNDAY; Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football pregame show; and the acclaimed "NFL Films Presents" on FS1. Since joining FS1 at its launch in August 2013, Thompson has become a mainstay across the sports media landscape, known for her engaging personality, sharp interviewing skills and ability to connect with athletes, entertainers and audiences alike.

Thompson’s career at FOX Sports actually began in 2006, when she joined the company as an assistant in the human resources department. From those beginnings, she built an impressive career in front of the camera, becoming a host and reporter across some of the network’s biggest events and programs. Today, in addition to her hosting duties, Thompson contributes interviews, features and voiceovers to FOX’s NFL coverage.

Beyond sports, Thompson has established herself as a familiar presence in entertainment. She joined the long-running entertainment news program "EXTRA" as a correspondent before becoming a co-host in 2014, interviewing some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and further showcasing the versatility that has defined her career.

Thompson also teams with her close friend and FOX NFL reporter Erin Andrews to co-host the popular podcast "Calm Down with Erin and Charissa." Their candid and often hilarious conversations span sports, pop culture, relationships and everyday life, giving listeners an unfiltered look at the friendship they share on and off camera.

In 2020, Thompson expanded her creative interests into interior design and launched House & Home, an interior design and lifestyle company offering both virtual and in-home services. The venture reflects another side of Thompson’s creativity and her passion for helping clients create spaces they are proud to call home.

Whether leading NFL coverage, sitting down with some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, sharing stories with listeners or pursuing her passion for design, Thompson continues to build a career defined by authenticity, versatility and connection. 

Sports Fan at Heart

A Seattle native and three-time lettered athlete in basketball, track, and volleyball, Thompson graduated from the University of California–Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in law and society. Her passion for sports runs in the family, as her brother Tyson played baseball at Washington State.

After graduating, Thompson relocated to Los Angeles to accept an HR position at FOX Sports. But her passion for sports quickly pulled her in another direction. She spent her evenings in the network’s highlights department, sharpening her skills by cutting and organizing game clips and logging video tape. In 2007, she transitioned to a production assistant role at FOX Sports Net Rocky Mountain, taking the next step on a career path that would steadily grow and evolve.

While in Denver, Thompson received her first on-air opportunity as a fill-in host for the channel’s Saturday evening Colorado Rockies all-access show. Her natural ease in front of the camera caught the attention of FOX executives and soon led to a regular hosting role on the network’s nationally syndicated program, Best Damn Sports Show Period, filmed in Los Angeles. Thompson spent two years on the show while also appearing as a sideline reporter for both FOX NFL and the Big Ten Network.

In 2010, Thompson departed FOX Sports to broaden her career across multiple platforms, taking on hosting roles at both Versus and Yahoo! Sports. At Versus, she anchored NHL studio coverage, while at Yahoo, she produced web videos and led the site’s coverage of major events including the 2010 Winter Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl XLV and the BCS National Championship. Her success across those roles led her to ESPN in August 2011, where she was named one of the hosts of the network’s newly launched afternoon show, Numbers Never Lie. 

In July 2012, Thompson took on a hosting role at "SportsNation," where she thrived before returning to FOX Sports in May 2013 for the launch of FS1.

Outside of her professional life, Thompson enjoys yoga, running, interior decorating, boating and water sports. A longtime sports fan, she counts Michael Jordan and Ken Griffey Jr. among her favorite athletes, while "The Wizard of Oz" and "Gangs of New York" top her movie list. Her musical tastes include Lionel Richie and Lenny Kravitz. Fans can stay connected with Thompson on X @CharissaT and Instagram @charissajthompson.