Kelli Tennant is a former collegiate volleyball player, sports broadcaster, author, and health podcast host. She is also known for filing a sexual assault lawsuit against NBA coach Luke Walton, which was later withdrawn.
Born on December 10, 1987, in California, Kelli Tennant grew up in Temecula and attended Chaparral High School. During her high school career, she was recognized as a FAB 50 selection by Volleyball Magazine and was named to the Los Angeles Times All-Star Girls’ Volleyball Team. Tennant accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Southern California, where she played for the USC Trojans women's volleyball team from 2005 to 2006. In 2007, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, which led to her early retirement from collegiate athletics.
Following her departure from competitive sports, Tennant transitioned to a career in sports media. She began working with major networks such as ESPN, focusing on college volleyball coverage. She later joined Time Warner Cable SportsNet, now known as Spectrum SportsNet, where she became a prominent on-air personality covering Los Angeles sports teams, particularly the Lakers. Tennant eventually rose to the role of lead host for Lakeshow, the Lakers' pregame broadcast program.
In addition to her work in broadcasting, Tennant authored the book The Transition: Every Athlete’s Guide to Life After Sports, which aims to help student-athletes adjust to life beyond competitive athletics. The book draws from her own experiences navigating the physical and emotional shift from being an elite athlete to becoming a full-time student and professional.
She also hosts the Ceremony Wellness podcast, which explores themes related to healing, health, and personal growth. Guests include wellness experts and alternative health practitioners who discuss holistic remedies and non-traditional approaches to healing and self-improvement.
In April 2019, Kelli Tennant filed a civil lawsuit accusing NBA coach Luke Walton of sexual assault, alleging the incident occurred during his tenure as an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors. Tennant claimed the assault took place in a Santa Monica hotel room and alleged continued inappropriate behavior by Walton after he became head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, during which time she worked as a broadcaster at Spectrum SportsNet.
Walton and his attorneys denied all allegations. In December 2019, Tennant requested a dismissal of the lawsuit. The filing did not specify a reason for the withdrawal, and no further legal action was pursued by Tennant.
Kelli Tennant’s current net worth is not publicly disclosed, though it derives from her combined career in broadcasting, podcasting, and publishing. She continues to focus on her work in the wellness sector, highlighting issues related to mental health, chronic illness, and life transitions for former athletes and others seeking alternative healing paths.
| Net Worth 2021: | 500 thousand |
