Who Is ESPN Commentator Kirk Herbstreit's Wife? All About Alison Herbstreit (and Their Shared Love of the Ohio State Buckeyes!)

Mar. 15, 2025

Kirk Herbstreit speaks prior to the game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Washington Huskies at Memorial Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Bloomington, Indiana ; Kirk Herbstreit’s wife Alison Herbstreit with their sons.Photo:Justin Casterline/Getty ; Kirk Herbstreit/ Instagram

Justin Casterline/Getty ; Kirk Herbstreit/ Instagram

ESPN commentatorKirk Herbstreitand his wife, Alison Herbstreit (née Butler), have been through different chapters of their lives together.

When the couple met during their college years atOhio State University, Alison was a cheerleader, while Kirk played football and was the quarterback for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1989 to 1993. Since then, they have celebrated over two decades of marriage alongside their four sons: Jake, Tye, Zak and Chase. The couple are also proud dog parents, sharing their home with three golden retrievers (they recently mourned the loss of their beloved dog, Ben, in November 2024).

Kirk may be a sports commentator for college football on ESPN and the NFL on Prime Video, but he tends to keep his personal life private. Alison doesn’t appear to have a public social media presence, and her husband seldom posts photos of their family online.

During an August 2009 interview withColumbus Monthlymagazine, Kirk shared a rare glimpse into their relationship and how they balance his hectic work schedule with raising their children.

“My wife is such a blessing,” he told the outlet at the time. “She’s so understanding of my schedule. As much as we kid about it being my turn with the kids (when I get home), she’s really not like that at all. I don’t know how she does it. I have no idea.”

So who is Kirk Herbstreit’s wife? Here’s everything to know about Alison Herbstreit and her relationship with the sportscaster.

She was a cheerleader at Ohio State

Kirk Herbstreit on the field prior to an NFL football game between the New York Jets and the Houston Texans on October 31, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.Kevin Sabitus/Getty

Kevin Sabitus/Getty

Ohio State University plays a special role in the Herbstreit family. While Kirk followed in the footsteps of his father, Jim Herbstreit, aco-captain of the 1960 Ohio State teamand an assistant coach, the Buckeye legacy comes from Alison, too.

He recalled a story about how sports broadcaster and former coach Lee Corso came to wear the Ohio State University mascot’s head on College GameDay, giving a nod to Alison.

“It started out with a baseball hat, then it was a helmet and then, the Ohio State game where you famously saw Brutus the Buckeye’s head, asked for it,” he explained. “They politely said no, and then they negotiated because Kirk Herbstreit’s wife Alison was a part of the cheerleading team. That’s a true story, and they finally convinced them.”

She and Kirk share four children

Kirk Herbstreit’s wife Alison Herbstreit with their children.Kirk Herbstreit/ Instagram

Kirk Herbstreit/ Instagram

Kirk and Alison are the proud parents of four sons: twinsJakeandTye,Zak, and Chase. Much like their father, all of the couple’s kids play football.

Despite their family’s long legacy at Ohio State University, Jake and Tye both initially played for Clemson University, starting as walk-ons for the team. They addressed their Buckeye loyalty during a November 2018 interview withTigerNet, with Jake telling the outlet that he grew up as an Ohio State fan his entire life.

“I’ve always loved the Buckeyes, but I just kind of wanted to choose my own path and go out and have a different experience other than up north,” he added.

Tye said that he was “still a Buckeye fan at heart,” before noting that he was “excited to rep some new jerseys” and was “really excited to be part of Clemson.”

While Tye played for the Clemson Tigers from 2019 to 2022 and appeared in 12 games, Jake left the university in 2021, according toUSA Today.Jake ultimately leaned into the Herbstreit legacy, and according tohis Instagram bio, he graduated from Ohio State University in 2024.

Meanwhile, Zak went on to play football at Ohio State as a tight end, joining the team in 2021 as a preferred walk-on. He’s currently in his fourth season afterhe was hospitalized in June 2023due to heart issues.

Lastly, Chase is a senior in high school, where he’s a quarterback on the football team.

They have lived in Ohio and Tennessee

Kirk Herbstreit discusses football on September 23, 2017 in New York City.Abbie Parr/Getty

Abbie Parr/Getty

While Kirk and Alison’s hearts are with Ohio, they’ve lived around the country due to the sportscaster’s job.

Kirk and his family lived in Ohio full-time until they moved to Nashville in March 2011. At the time, he toldThe Columbus Dispatchthat he had been mulling over the move to Tennessee for several years due to criticism from Ohio State fans.

“Nobody loves Ohio State more than me,” Kirk told the publication. “But I’ve got a job to do, and I’m going to continue to be fair and objective. To continue to have to defend myself and my family in regards to my love and devotion to Ohio State is unfair."

He shared that he and Alison looked at several cities before settling on their choice of Nashville and said that “from a sports perspective, this is rough.”

However, Kirk and Alison made their return as a family back to Ohio in 2021 — at least temporarily — for his youngest son’s schooling.

“We have a lot of respect for … the school and the culture. We’re going to try and make it work,” he toldThe Cincinnati Enquirer.

Kirk and Alison planned on keeping their home outside of Nashville while also renting a spot in Cincinnati where their son would attend school. The couple aimed to make trips back to Columbus to Ohio State, where their two sons, Jake and Zak, attended college as well.

They recently lost one of their beloved dogs

Kirk Herbstreit with his dog Ben before a college football game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and Tennessee Volunteers on October 5, 2024.Kirk Herbstreit/ Instagram

Kirk and Alison not only have four sons, butthey are also dog parentsto Peter, Theo, Mitch and the late Ben.

Kirk was open about Ben’s health issues,sharing on X(formerly Twitter) in September 2024 that he was diagnosed with leukemia several months earlier in March. Two months later, Kirk revealed thatBen wasn’t doing well.

Inan emotional Instagram poston Nov. 7, Kirk announced that after a long health battle,Ben had died at age 10. In the tribute to his dog, he described him as “smart-loving-gentle-patient-inquisitive-and welcoming to all.”

“He and I could communicate..he and I understood each other and had each others backs,” Kirk added. “He was with me more than anyone at home and traveling with me for work. Such an easy going companion. Hard day-but he will live within all of us forever.”

Kirk is “so grateful” for Alison

Kirk Herbstreit looks on from the field prior to an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on December 21, 2023 in Inglewood, California.Cooper Neill/Getty

Cooper Neill/Getty

While Kirk rarely shares details about his personal life on social media, including moments with his wife, he has posted heartfelt tributes to Alison on Mother’s Day over the years.

In May 2021, Kirkshared a photo of Alisonposing with their four sons, along with Ben. In the caption, he penned a short but sweet note for the holiday, writing, “Happy Mother’s Day!! Alli with her boys Tye Chase Ben Jake and Zak!”

Kirk marked the occasion once again in May 2023, this timesharing a snap of Alisonembracing their children.

“Happy Mothers Day to Alli and all the Moms! So grateful for all you do!!” he wrote in the caption. “There’s not a bigger more important job in America than a loving Mother. They’re the foundation for all of us.”

He added, “A Mothers love is different-it’s unconditional and enduring. Happy Mothers Day Moms and thank you for all you do-EVERY DAY!”

source: people.com