NBC’s world of sports has Kathryn Tappen to thank for its success. As a journalist, she covers all things sport from the NHL, NFL, Notre Dame Football down to the Summer and Winter Olympic games.
While she keeps you up to date on all sporting events, very few have thought to cover her exciting story. This piece sheds light on Kathryn Tappen’s husband by diving into her personal life to uncover her net worth, salary, and body measurements.
Who is Kathryn Tappen?
Kathryn Tappen is an accredited sports journalist on NBC Sports Channel since 2014. You probably recognize her from NHL Tonight, NHL Live, and Football Night in America. Moreover, she has pretty much covered NBC’s Olympic games since 2016.
Tappen’s love for sports began during her childhood where she played youth baseball and basketball. Upon admission to Rutgers University, she continued with cross country running and track. Eventually, she combined what she loved with what she studied in college to become a full-time sports journalist.
Kathryn is now casting sports for 18 years. Besides journalism, Kathryn volunteers in Guide Dog Foundation. This organization trains dogs and provides guide dogs for those people who cannot see. Kathryn is also an Ambassador in America’s VetDogs. This organization helps to provide service dogs to veterans with disabilities.
These both organizations are non-profit organizations.
Kathryn Tappen Husband
Kathryn Tappen was previously married to her ex-husband and NHL defenseman, Jay Leach. She met the ice hockey player back while covering 2005’s NHL game and bonded with him. Soon enough, they began dating and wedded at the New Castle Congregational Church in July 2009. About four years later, the pair divorced and went on separate ways after having three kids together.
It’s almost a decade later, and there is still no news of Kathryn ever remarrying. She even left curious fans’ tweets unanswered when prying on her dating status.
Her social media also came up with nothing. Maybe she’s private about it considering how her former public relationship turned out; who could blame her.
Kathryn Has a Goddaughter
On the contrary, Kathryn is very open about her family and kids. She frequently posts pictures of her family on Instagram. Kathryn is also a proud godmother. She has a beautiful goddaughter who just turned 7 in 2023. She calls her Emerson.
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Emerson was born on April 19, 2016. Kathryn has a huge love for Emerson and mentions that she loved watching her grow. Emerson is the one to light up this sports journalist’s life, bringing lots of positive energy around.
Kathryn frequently takes Emerson out for dinner. This mother-daughter duo is seen dining with Kathryn’s friend and kids on different occasions.
Meanwhile, Kathryn has a daughter and two sons from her ex-husband, Jay Leach.
Mentors
Kathryn might not have achieved what she has now if she hadn’t met Tim Pernetti, an ex-Rutgers Football player. Indeed, she considers Tim as one of her most trusted mentors, who paved Kathryn’s way to sports journalism. Kathryn met Tim while she was competing at Rutgers Athletics.
Tim provided Kathryn with an opportunity to work at ABC Sports as an intern. This was during her summer break before her senior year. The rest is history. They have been good friends ever since. Tim saw an eagerness in Kathryn’s eyes, and we can realize that he must be a very proud mentor now. Seeing where Kathryn Tappen is now, we feel glad that Tim gave her a chance 2 decades ago.
Kathryn took this opportunity to thank Tim and share her story on the occasion of Augusta National Women’s Amateur on April 3.
Likewise, Kathryn also considers Jackie Joyner-Kersee as her role model. Jackie inspired her to become an athletic and run of tracks. She posts on her Instagram saying how honored she was to meet Jackie and have her on the show.
The world record holder athlete, Jackie was the first athlete to overcome Asthama.
Parents and Sister
Kathryn is born to parents Richard G. Tappen and Sheila M. Tappen. This gorgeous sports journalist has immense love for her parents and does not fall back to keep them happy and proud. Mr. Richard Tappen turned 73 last April. Kathryn’s mother, Shiela is a golf player. Kathryn admits that her mother still teaches her to use proper golf clubs while playing. This mother-daughter pair ofter go golfing together.
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Kathryn describes her mother as a bold person and full of positivity. Sheila spreads smiles and kindness everywhere she goes.
Kathryn has a sister named Amanda Tappen. Not much of her sister is public on media, except her birthday falls on April 10. She goes by the name aprchic on Instagram.
Cancer Advocate
This big-hearted journalist is also a cancer advocate. Kathryn helps to support and fight people with cancer and improve their lives. She runs an organization called The CC Team along with Jamie Callahan to support people with cancer. The group’s main motive is to make people aware of what cancer cannot do to them.
Jamie, a wife, and mother of three kids was a stage 4 NHL patient herself. She overcame her disease and now, is helping other people to do so. The CC Team is also trying to raise funds by selling hoodies and masks for their cause.
Kathryn’s Cousin was Killed In a Hawk Crash
Kathryn’s cousin, Captain Stanford H. Shaw III was one of the seven Marines who lost their lives in a Black Hawk crash during an ongoing mission in Florida on March 10, 2015. There were other four National Guard Soldiers in the helicopter as well. They were from Louisiana. Born on February 9, 1984, Ford was 31 years of age when he died.
Ford’s sponsor Judy Buddensick from Eastport remembers him saying how fun-loving a person he was. Ford was also famous among his mates for his hilarious pranks. Judy remembers how Ford, once, set ahead all his dorm’s clocks. His roommate woke up and left for the morning march an hour early.
Ford Shaw was engaged to a classmate of Lt. Chelsea Hassett. Lt. Hassett was a graduate of 2009 and was in the academy with Ford Shaw’s unit.
Lt. Hassett remembers the time when they ran out of food in the dining hall. Ford, then, took everyone off the table and took them to the Dahlgren Hall to buy them pizzas. She instantly knew that Ford was one of those people who took care of others.
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Captain Stanford Shaw had a pretty awesome collection of awards. Some of them include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment ribbon (with two stars).
Ford served in the Marines since April 2007.
Spain Family Roots
Although Kathryn took birth in America, her family’s roots go way back to Spain. Kathryn opens up about her great-grandfather belonging to Spain. Her great-grandfather, Alphonso Vazquez was from the northern part of Spain. Alphonso ran away to Puerto Rico with his family from Spain during a revolution in the early 20th century. Alphonso met his to-be wife in Puerto Rico.
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Kathryn mentions that her great-grandfather was cremated in Cementerio Santa Maria Magdalena de Pazzis located in Old San Juan. She even expresses her grief to the people of Puerto Rico while she visited the place. The historic Hurricane Maria caused great devastation in Puerto Rico.
Best Friend Laura Hickman
Kathryn has all the support she needs from her best friend, Laura Hickman. These two are bffs. Not much is known about Laura, except her Instagram handle, lhickman25.
Kathryn Tappen Age
Born on April 9, 1981, Kathryn is 42 years of age as of 2023. This amazing woman has an incredible circle of friends who would do anything to see each other smiling.
In 2020, while the whole world was facing lockdown, Kathryn had no friends with her to celebrate her birthday. To her surprise, a few of her friends wished her a happy birthday through short videos.
Kathryn’s friend, Kaitlin Urka compiled these videos in a single video and sent them to her. Kathryn was over the moon after seeing the video and thanked her friends as they made her quarantine birthday special.
Childhood Dream
Kathryn dreamt of becoming a sportscaster from her childhood, and the Olympics was her only target. For Kathryn, her dreams came true-not just once but four times in a single year. Kathryn shares her experience of casting the Tokyo Olympics.
Kathryn Tappen Salary and Net Worth
According to recent online reports, Kathryn Tappen’s net worth is $2 million thanks to her career in journalism. It all started with College Sports Television and then to the WJAR channel. She would then move to NESN and the NHL network before landing a job at NBC Sports, which currently pays her a salary of $125K per year.
Height & Measurements
From her live coverage stance as well as social media posts, the mother of three is still in excellent shape. Kathryn measures about 5 feet 10 inches tall while weighing just about 57 kgs. Her body measurements are 34-30-36 inches for her bust, waist, and hips, respectively.
Some Facts on Kathryn Tappen
- Kathryn Tappen’s go-to place for shopping is Intermix.
- Her favorite phone application is Twitter.
- She prefers Frame Denim Forever Karlie Collection to others.
- Kathryn cannot live without these products: Chanel Rouge Coco #804 and Glossimer lip gloss.
- Her workout songs are Filthy by Justin Timberlake or Old Thing Back by Notorious B.I.G.
- Kathryn chooses Rag and Bone for her clothing.
- Bradley Cooper is her celebrity crush.
- Her go-to restaurant is Marc Forgione, Tribeca NYC.
- Kathryn loves to read Decision Points by George W. Bush.
- Her favorite television show is The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Kathryn Tappen Wiki
NBC’s expert hockey caster was once an athlete. She played sports in her university. Being one of the most prominent faces of sports journalism, Kathryn is involved in different other social activities and also supports equality.
Kathryn Tappen also did some modeling in her early days. Red Sox Souvenir Store chose Kathryn to be their model for the photoshoot. Kathryn also did a few shoots for her college clothing line.
Growing up in Morristown, New Jersey as an athlete, she was a member of the cross country team. She also ran on tracks. With all these achievements in the pocket, Kathryn also held the record in Women’s 3000m steeplechase. Sports and athletism were in her blood which made her grow up to be a sportscaster.
Before joining NBC Sports, Kathryn worked for four years in NHL Network. She initially hosted the NHL Tonight show.
Prior to joining the NHL, Kathryn worked at the New England Sports Network for five years.
Additionally, Kathryn Tappen also worked as an anchor during weekends in WJAR in Rhode Island. WJAR is affiliated with NBC. Lots of experience before joining NBC Sports, eh?
In 2014, Boston Mass honored Kathryn with the “Woman of Inspiration” award. Her leadership quality and mentoring of women to pave their way in the field of sports made her win this prestigious award. In addition, Kathryn also won Associated Press Award (2006) for Swim Meet.
Because of her tremendous contribution to NBC Sports, NHL Live is nominated twice for the Emmy Sports Award.