You have seen Elise Menaker on Marquee Sports Network during Chicago Cubs games. The former Cornell softball star brings real playing experience to every broadcast she does. She has broken ground as one of the first women to call a Cubs game on television and radio. Fans keep asking for the Elise Menaker Wikipedia story.
This guide gathers her biography in one place. You will read about her age, her college records and her path into sports media. It covers her family, her height and the career steps that led her to the Cubs booth. Every fact below comes from public sources and official bios that you can check yourself.
Elise Menaker Biography
The table below gathers the key facts about her life in one place. Much of her private life stays out of the public eye. Reports still agree on her schooling, her softball records and her broadcasting path. Her family background and her Chicago roots shape most of the story.
Treat every salary and net worth figure as an estimate from trackers. No official source has confirmed them. Her birth year and her exact height stay disputed across profiles. The rest of her biography rests on solid public reporting.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elise Lauren Menaker |
| Date of Birth | October 26 (birth year not publicly confirmed) |
| Age | One profile claims October 1987, which would make her 39 in 2026 (unconfirmed) |
| Hometown | Wilmette, Illinois, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | New Trier High School; Cornell University (BA Communications, 2010); Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism (M.S.J.); Second City Conservatory |
| Profession | Sports broadcaster, host, reporter, analyst |
| Employers | Marquee Sports Network, Big Ten Network |
| Known For | Chicago Cubs coverage; first woman to serve as TV analyst (2022) and radio analyst (2023) for a Cubs game |
| Height | Reports vary: 5 feet 7 inches per college athletics profile; other sources list 5 feet 4 inches or 5 feet 2 inches |
| Father | Edward Menaker (former minor league baseball player) |
| Mother | Pam Menaker |
| Siblings | Older sister Michelle; younger brother Mark |
| Marital Status | Not publicly disclosed; no confirmed husband |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | Around $1 million (tracker estimates) |
| Salary (Reported) | Around $92,680 per year (tracker estimates) |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Languages | English; French (professional working proficiency) |
Who Is Elise Menaker?
Elise Menaker is a Chicago sports broadcaster who covers the Chicago Cubs for Marquee Sports Network. She also works as a host, analyst and sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network. Before television, she starred in softball at Cornell University. That playing background gives her broadcasts a sharp edge.
She joined Marquee in February 2020 before the network even launched. Since then she has grown into one of the channel’s most trusted voices. She reports from the field and breaks down plays in the studio. Fans know her for warm interviews and smart baseball insight.
Elise Menaker Early Life and Family Background
The Elise Menaker early life story starts in the Chicago suburbs. Her hometown is listed as Wilmette, Illinois. She grew up riding the L-train with her family to games at Wrigley Field. That childhood habit planted her love for baseball early.
Her father Edward Menaker played minor league baseball for the Baltimore Orioles. Her mother is Pam Menaker. Elise has an older sister Michelle and a younger brother Mark. She often shares family moments on Instagram. The Menaker family clearly shares a strong sports bond.
Education: Cornell, Northwestern and More
Elise attended New Trier High School in Winnetka, Illinois. She starred in softball and tennis there and captained both teams. She then studied at Cornell University from 2006 to 2010. She earned a BA in Communications and set school softball records.
She later earned her M.S.J. at Northwestern University‘s Medill School of Journalism in 2011. There she won the Bloomberg Scholarship and studied hard. She even trained in improv and sketch writing at the Second City Conservatory in 2018 and 2019. That mix of skills shows in her easy on-air style.
Elise Menaker’s Softball Career at Cornell
Before cameras, Elise ruled the softball diamond. She was a three-time first-team All-Ivy pick at Cornell. She graduated as the school’s career leader in doubles with 53. Her numbers still rank near the top of the Cornell Big Red record books. She entered the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020.
Her junior year brought a .369 batting average with 16 doubles and 47 RBIs. As a senior she ranked second in all of Division I with 20 doubles. Cornell won two Ivy titles during her four seasons. After college she even played pro softball for the Skövde Saints in Sweden. The table below sums up her best college numbers.
| Career Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Doubles (school record) | 53 |
| Home runs (2nd all-time) | 37 |
| RBIs (2nd all-time) | 188 |
| Batting average (4th all-time) | .363 |
| Slugging percentage (2nd all-time) | .643 |
| All-Ivy selections | Three-time first-team; three-time Academic All-District; third-team CoSIDA Academic All-American |
Elise Menaker Broadcasting Career Before Marquee
Elise first wanted to be a fashion editor for Vogue. An internship at ABC7 Chicago changed her mind and pulled her toward sports. She covered Mark Buehrle‘s perfect game for the Chicago White Sox in 2009. That moment showed her what sports journalism could be.
She started at KMIZ-TV in Columbia, Missouri in 2011 as a general assignment reporter. Then she anchored at WAND-TV in Decatur, Illinois from 2013 to 2015. She won an AP award for her report After the Storm. From 2015 to 2017 she served as a sports anchor at Today’s TMJ4 in Milwaukee. She joined the Big Ten Network in 2017 as a studio host and sideline reporter.
Elise Menaker at Marquee Sports Network
Marquee signed Elise in February 2020 before the network’s first broadcast. In June 2021 she became the lead color analyst for Iowa Cubs games. She now serves as a host, reporter and game analyst. Her softball past makes her dugout interviews stand out.
She made history in 2022 as the first woman to serve as a television analyst for a Cubs game. She repeated the feat on radio in 2023. In July 2024 she joined the first all-female Cubs broadcast team with Beth Mowins and Taylor McGregor. She also worked as an analyst for SNY from 2022 to 2024. In 2025 she returned to Cubs field reporting alongside Jon “Boog” Sciambi and Jim Deshaies.
Elise Menaker Age and Height
Fans ask about the Elise Menaker age more than almost anything. She was born on October 26, but no public record confirms her birth year. One profile claims she was born in October 1987, which would make her 39 in 2026. Other profiles give no year at all. She keeps the detail private.
The Elise Menaker height also changes from site to site. One profile citing her college athletics page lists 5 feet 7 inches. Others claim 5 feet 4 inches or even 5 feet 2 inches. No official measurement has ever been published. Treat every height figure as an estimate.
Elise Menaker Husband and Personal Life
Questions about the Elise Menaker husband follow her everywhere online. No source names a husband or a partner. She has never confirmed being married or engaged. She keeps her dating life fully private. Fans should treat engagement rumors as unproven.
She does share glimpses of family life on social media. Her Instagram shows posts with her parents and siblings. She stays close to her Chicago roots. Beyond that, the camera stays off. Her work, not her private life, defines her public image.
Elise Menaker Net Worth and Salary
The Elise Menaker net worth is estimated at around $1 million by celebrity trackers. Her reported annual salary sits near $92,680. Neither figure comes from an official source. Both should be treated as educated guesses. Her income flows from Marquee, the Big Ten Network and past roles.
Her long resume across Chicago, Milwaukee and Decatur built her value over time. Lead analyst and hosting roles pay more than early anchor jobs. You can read more about her career milestones in the official Elise Menaker Cornell Hall of Fame announcement from Marquee Sports Network. Her earnings reflect more than a decade of steady broadcast work.
Final Thoughts
Elise Menaker built her career on playing talent and reporting skills. She went from Cornell softball records to Chicago television with steady focus. Few broadcasters set school records before ever holding a microphone. Her path from the field to the booth inspires young women in sports media.
She keeps her private life away from the cameras. Fans respect that choice while cheering her Cubs coverage. Whether she calls a game or breaks down a play, Elise brings energy every night. Her story proves preparation and passion make a lasting mark.
FAQs About Elise Menaker
Who is Elise Menaker?
Elise Menaker is a Chicago sports broadcaster who covers the Chicago Cubs for Marquee Sports Network. She is also a host and sideline reporter for the Big Ten Network and a former Cornell softball star.
What is Elise Menaker’s age?
She was born on October 26, but her birth year is not publicly confirmed. One profile claims October 1987, which would make her 39 in 2026.
How tall is Elise Menaker?
Sources disagree. One profile citing her college athletics page lists 5 feet 7 inches. Others claim 5 feet 4 inches or 5 feet 2 inches. No official height has been published.
Where did Elise Menaker go to college?
She earned a BA in Communications from Cornell University in 2010. She later earned her M.S.J. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
What does Elise Menaker do at Marquee Sports Network?
She works as a host, reporter and game analyst. She became the lead color analyst for Iowa Cubs games in 2021. In 2025 she returned to Cubs field reporting.
Is Elise Menaker married?
She has never confirmed being married or engaged. No source names a husband or a partner. She keeps her relationship status private.
What is Elise Menaker’s net worth?
Her estimated net worth is around $1 million according to celebrity trackers. Her reported annual salary sits near $92,680.
Did Elise Menaker play professional softball?
Yes. She starred at Cornell as a three-time first-team All-Ivy pick and entered the Cornell Athletics Hall of Fame in 2020. She then played four months of pro softball for the Skövde Saints in Sweden.
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