Who is Jen Lada?
Jen Lada actively shapes sports journalism through her engaging work with ESPN, where she serves as a features reporter for College GameDay and hosts College Football Live. After launching her career in local news, she joined ESPN in 2015 and quickly built a reputation for powerful storytelling. Her documentary on Tyler Hilinski for E:60 earned her a Sports Emmy in 2020, highlighting her impact in the field.
Outside of her national role, Lada continues to influence regional media by participating in Wisconsin sports coverage. She co-hosts a morning radio show in Milwaukee, maintaining strong ties to her Midwestern roots. Born in Illinois on January 14, 1981, Lada combines her deep knowledge of sports with a passion for storytelling, earning widespread recognition for her contributions to the industry.
Jen Lada age and birthday
Lada was born on January 14, 1981, in Chicago, Illinois, and she grew up in Spring Grove, a nearby suburb. Her zodiac sign is Capricorn.
Jen Lada’s height and weight
Lada is about 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm) tall and weighs approximately 128 pounds (58 kg). She maintains a fit, athletic physique, with reported body measurements of 34-25-35 inches. She has brunette hair and dark-colored eyes.
Jen Lada’s educational background
Lada attended Marian Central Catholic High School, where she was active in track and cross-country. She later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Electronics from Marquette University’s College of Communications in Wisconsin.
Jen Lada’s dating life, spouse and children
Lada married Dario Melendez, a former ESPN anchor who now works as the sports director at WISN-TV in Milwaukee, in 2017. Together, they are raising two children. In addition, Jen has a son named Chase from her previous marriage to Sean Reti, whom she met while attending Marquette University.
Jen Lada’s nationality and ethnicity
Lada is American by nationality and identifies as White in terms of ethnicity. Her heritage includes Polish-Czech descent, reflecting her Midwestern roots and cultural background.
Jen Lada’s parents and siblings
Lada is the daughter of Connie and Bill Lada. Her father, Bill, was a junior high track coach and athletics director who played a significant role in nurturing her early love for sports. Sadly, he passed away after suffering a stroke during a bike trip. Jen grew up in Spring Grove, Illinois, alongside three siblings.
Jen Lada career
Lada launched her career in sports journalism with determination and resilience. She started at WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois, balancing her role as a sports reporter and anchor with a restaurant job to support herself. In 2006, she advanced to WITI-TV in Milwaukee as a weekend sports anchor, then joined Comcast SportsNet Chicago in 2013, where she covered major sports events, including NHL stories.
In 2015, ESPN offered her a national platform, originally intending for her to contribute to Colin Cowherd’s radio show. Although that specific opportunity didn’t materialize, she quickly proved her versatility by contributing to shows like Mike & Mike, First Take, and Baseball Tonight. She became known as a reliable “utility player,” adapting to various roles and delivering quality content across multiple platforms.
Since 2016, Lada has served as a standout features reporter for College GameDay and host of College Football Live. Her compelling storytelling earned her a Sports Emmy for the emotional E:60 documentary on Tyler Hilinski. Alongside her national success, she stays involved in local media, co-hosting a morning show on WKTI and leading a weekly segment with Marquette basketball coach Shaka Smart, maintaining her deep ties to Wisconsin’s sports scene.
Jen Lada’s net worth and salary
She has a net worth of $500,000 and generates an annual salary of $108,000.
Leave a Reply