Mina Kimes is a highly accomplished American investigative journalist, sports reporter, and television commentator. With an impressive career spanning over a decade, she has garnered numerous awards and honors for her exceptional writing skills. Currently writing for ‘ESPN The Magazine’, Mina also appears on various television programs and radio shows, showcasing her versatility and expertise. Her contributions extend beyond writing, as she takes on multiple roles at ESPN, including being a regular panelist on ‘Around the Horn’, a co-host on ‘The Morning Roast’ on ESPN Radio, and a guest on popular shows like ‘The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz’ and ‘Highly Questionable’. Mina’s insightful analysis and engaging debates can also be seen on ‘First Take’ and ‘E:60’, making her a valuable contributor to the network. With an impressive list of accolades, including the prestigious ‘Henry R. Luce Award’ and the ‘Front Page Award’, Mina Kimes continues to make a significant impact in the world of journalism.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Mina Mugil Kimes
- Age: 38 Years, 38 Year Old Females
- Family: Spouse/Ex-: Nick Sylvester (m. 2014)
- Journalists
- American Women
- U.S. State: Nebraska
- City: Omaha, Nebraska
- More Facts
- Education: Yale University
Mina Kimes’ Rise to Stardom
Mina Kimes began her career as a business journalist, despite later becoming known for her work as a sports reporter. After completing her education, she landed her first job at ‘Fortune Small Business Magazine’ in 2007, where she had previously worked as an intern. During her six-year stint at the magazine, she gained recognition for her investigative journalism on various topics, including arms exports and tainted drugs. Her work earned her awards from prestigious organizations such as the New York Press Club, the National Press Club, and the Asian American Journalists Association.
In 2010, Kimes wrote an influential piece titled ‘Bad to the Bone’, which exposed the unauthorized use of a bone cement that resulted in the death of patients. The article was named among the business must-reads for 2012 by ‘Columbia Journalism Review’ and earned her the ‘Henry R. Luce Award’ the following year. In 2013, she joined ‘Bloomberg News’ as an investigative reporter and continued to make a name for herself with profiles of business executives like Doug Oberhelman and Eddie Lampert. Her work at ‘Bloomberg News’ earned her the ‘Front Page Award’ for business reporting.
Passion for the Seattle Seahawks
Mina Kimes developed a passion for the Seattle Seahawks, despite never having lived in Seattle. She became a fan of the team because of her father, whom she describes as a “daddy’s girl.” Kimes wrote an essay on her Tumblr account, expressing the bond she and her father shared with the team. This essay caught the attention of ESPN editors, who recruited her and allowed her to turn her passion into a career.
Career at ESPN
Kimes has been with ESPN for approximately five years and has already made significant contributions to the network. She has written extensively for ‘ESPN The Magazine’ and has appeared as a radio host and commentator on various podcasts and television shows. Her articles have covered young sports superstars, NFL players, and other sports-related topics. She has also been a regular panelist on ‘Around the Horn’ and has made appearances on popular ESPN programs such as ‘Highly Questionable’, ‘First Take’, and ‘The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz’.
In January 2017, Kimes began co-hosting the national weekend show ‘The Morning Roast’ on ESPN Radio, alongside Domonique Foxworth and Clinton Yates. She has also contributed to special ESPN live Twitter shows, such as ‘On the Clock’ during the 2018 NFL Draft. Additionally, she hosts her own podcast called ‘The Mina Kimes Show’, featuring her pet dog Lenny, and co-hosts an after-show about the HBO series ‘Big Little Lies’ with Amanda Dobbins. In September 2018, Kimes signed a multiyear extension with ESPN and debuted her NFL-themed podcast ‘Bootleg with Mina Kimes’.
Family and Personal Life
Mina Kimes was born on September 8, 1985, in Omaha, Nebraska. She has mixed ancestry and is of Korean descent from her mother’s side. Her father served as a captain in the Air Force. Kimes developed a love for soccer at a young age and played the sport until high school. She graduated summa cum laude from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Kimes currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Nick Sylvester, who is a record producer and CEO of the music label GODMODE. The couple got married on November 24, 2014, after dating for several years. Sylvester attended Harvard University and holds a degree from Harvard Law School.