For those who have watched the NFL for years, it is common knowledge that NBC’s current sideline reporter Melissa Stark is one of the best in the business.
She strikes the right tone and asks appropriate questions. There are no gaffes, just a high degree of professionalism with Stark throughout her multi-decade career. She has worked at NFL Network, ESPN, and covered the 2008 Beijing Olympics for NBC.
On Friday night, Melissa Stark shared a social media photo. The corresponding revelation was news to her longtime fans.
What Melissa Stark Said
Stark was at the opening day of the 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco. She was pictured with tennis legend and Laver Cup founder, Roger Federer.
View this post on Instagram
Mentioning that tennis is her favorite sport to play and that she always wanted to cover it sent her fans reeling.
Tennis Channel, ESPN, or TBS, did you hear this?
Who would not love the voice and demeanor of Melissa Stark as a courtside reporter for WTA or ATP matches?
Whether that happens, even for one glorious moment, remains to be seen. Regardless, tennis fans like that someone as high profile as Stark in the NFL world, is bringing more eyes and attention to professional tennis.
The Laver Cup
The Laver Cup continues through Sunday, but we do not know if Stark has time to watch any more live action. She is due in New York on Sunday night to cover an intriguing Week 3 NFL game between two winless teams quarterbacked by former Super Bowl champions and MVPs, the Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes) and the New York Giants (Russell Wilson) for NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
At the end of Day 1, Team Europe has a 3-1 lead over Team World with Casper Ruud, Jakub Mensik, and the doubles team of Mensik and Carlos Alcaraz recording the Laver Cup Team Europe wins. 19-year-old Joao Fonseca, who was born days before Team World Captain Andre Agassi retired from professional tennis in 2006, earned the lone Day 1 Team World victory.
Captain Andre Agassi and the rest of Team World singing João Fonseca’s song during his match at the Laver Cup
😂😂😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 20, 2025
