Early Life and Education

Born in 1981, Sarah Kustok was raised in Orland Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. An enthusiastic Chicago Bulls fan from a young age, she developed an early passion for sports, particularly basketball and volleyball. She attended DePaul University in Chicago, where she played for the Blue Demons’ women’s basketball team. During her collegiate career, Kustok earned both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. Known for her sharpshooting abilities, particularly from beyond the arc, she significantly contributed to the team’s success. Her time at DePaul also included helping the school secure NCAA tournament berths. She now resides in Manhattan.

Broadcasting Career

Kustok began her broadcasting career as a sports analyst with ESPN, covering a range of events including college and high school football and basketball. She later joined Comcast SportsNet Chicago, where she served as a sideline reporter for several professional teams, including the Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago Cubs (MLB), Chicago White Sox (MLB), and Chicago Blackhawks (NHL). She also worked as a substitute anchor and hosted digital segments such as the "College Sports Minute."

In addition to her work at CSN, Kustok was a freelance anchor and reporter at WFLD-TV, and she gained further experience through assignments with networks like Versus (now known as NBCSN). In 2012, she transitioned to the YES Network, where she became a prominent figure in their basketball coverage, particularly as a sideline reporter and analyst for the Brooklyn Nets. She made history in 2017 as the first female full-time NBA game analyst.

YES Network and Brooklyn Nets Coverage

At YES Network, Kustok has held multiple roles including studio host, sideline reporter, and host of "Nets Magazine." Her experience on the basketball court has brought an added layer of insight to her reporting, which has been praised for its depth and clarity. Her coverage of the Brooklyn Nets has made her a key figure within the organization’s media presence. Through her work, she has helped advance the visibility of women in sports broadcasting and served as a role model for aspiring female sportscasters.

Personal Life and Interests

Outside of sports, Sarah Kustok is a music enthusiast. Her diverse tastes include bands and artists such as U2, Corinne Bailey Rae, Limp Bizkit, and Janis Joplin. An admirer of NBA legends like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, she attributes much of her lifelong passion for basketball to watching the iconic Chicago Bulls teams of the 1990s.

Kustok faced personal hardship in 2010 when her mother was tragically killed, and her father, Allan Kustok, was later convicted in the case. Despite this, she continued to build an accomplished career in broadcasting. Known for her professionalism and sense of humor, Kustok once drew attention when, while reporting for CSN, a Chicago Blackhawks fan publicly professed his admiration for her. She later light-heartedly remarked that she was preparing for a blind marriage rather than a blind date.