If you’ve spent any time following sports media over the last decade, you know Kristine Leahy. She was the sharp, composed voice alongside Colin Cowherd on The Herd, the fearless sideline reporter on American Ninja Warrior, and the host of her own deep-dive interview show, Fair Game. But while her professional life was lived under high-intensity studio lights, her personal life—specifically her relationship with Howard Liu—has been a masterclass in staying low-profile in a high-profile world.
Honestly, it’s rare. Most people in the public eye feel the need to document every dinner and milestone on Instagram. Leahy and Liu went the opposite direction.
Who is Howard Liu?
While Kristine was busy navigating the often-turbulent waters of sports journalism, Howard Liu was building a powerhouse career of his own. He isn't a TV personality or a pro athlete. He’s a tech and business executive who thrives behind the scenes.
Howard Liu is widely known as the co-founder and CEO of AirTable, a cloud-based software company that basically revolutionized how teams organize data. If you’ve ever used a spreadsheet that felt like it had "superpowers," you’ve likely used Liu’s creation. He is a Duke University alum and a former product manager at Salesforce.
The pairing of a sports media star and a Silicon Valley titan might seem like a classic "power couple" trope, but they’ve kept it surprisingly grounded. You won't find them chasing paparazzi or leaking stories to tabloids.
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The Low-Key Love Story
The relationship between Howard Liu and Kristine Leahy became public knowledge roughly around 2020. At the time, fans were curious why Kristine had seemingly stepped back from the relentless pace of daily sports broadcasting.
The truth? She was shifting her focus.
The couple eventually married in 2022. It wasn't a televised event or a magazine-exclusive spectacle. It was a private commitment between two people who clearly value their "off-camera" time more than their "on-camera" fame. Since then, they’ve expanded their family, welcoming a child and leaning further into a life of relative privacy.
Why Everyone Is Still Searching for Them
You're probably here because you noticed Kristine isn't on your TV every single afternoon anymore. For a few years, she was everywhere. When someone that visible suddenly pulls back, the internet starts guessing.
Is she retired? Did they break up?
Neither.
Kristine Leahy and Howard Liu represent a new kind of celebrity couple—the kind that values "stealth wealth" and "stealth happiness." While Leahy has taken on specific, high-value projects—like her work with the Las Vegas Raiders on Raiders: Talk of the Nation—she is no longer a "cog in the machine" of 24-hour sports talk.
Navigating the "Herd" of Rumors
Being a woman in sports media is notoriously difficult. Leahy dealt with her fair share of public friction, most notably a very public and uncomfortable on-air confrontation with LaVar Ball in 2017. That moment sparked a massive conversation about respect and boundaries in the industry.
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When she eventually transitioned away from The Herd and later Fair Game, some critics suggested she was "fading out."
In reality, she was leveling up.
By partnering with someone like Howard Liu, who understands the scale of building a multi-billion dollar business, it’s clear Kristine’s perspective on "work" changed. She moved from being an employee of major networks to being a brand of her own, picking and choosing projects that actually matter to her.
What Their Life Looks Like Today
If you follow Kristine on social media today, the vibe is different. It’s less about "here is my take on the NBA playoffs" and more about travel, wellness, and family.
- Residence: They primarily split time between the tech hubs of Northern California and the media landscape of Los Angeles.
- Balance: Howard continues to lead AirTable through the evolving AI landscape of 2026.
- Legacy: Kristine remains a consultant and a mentor for young women entering the sports broadcasting field.
It's a "rich" life in the literal sense, sure, but also in the sense that they aren't beholden to anyone else's schedule.
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Actionable Insights: Lessons from the Liu-Leahy Playbook
We can actually learn a lot from how they’ve handled their public image. Even if you aren't a TV host or a CEO, these principles apply:
- Pivot with Purpose: Don't be afraid to leave a "dream job" if it no longer serves your peace of mind. Kristine was at the top of the sports world and chose a different path.
- Privacy is a Luxury: In an age of oversharing, keeping your relationship offline is often the best way to protect it.
- Diversify Your Identity: Howard Liu isn't just "Kristine's husband," and she isn't just "the girl from The Herd." Maintaining individual excellence is the key to a strong partnership.
- Value over Volume: It’s better to do one high-quality project (like a limited series or a specific team partnership) than to be on TV five days a week talking about things you don't care about.
The fascination with Howard Liu and Kristine Leahy usually stems from a desire to see "what happened next." The answer is simple: they grew up, moved on, and built a life that doesn't require your "like" to be successful.
Next time you’re wondering where your favorite media personality went, remember that sometimes, "missing" just means they're winning at a different game.
Next Steps for You:
If you’re interested in following Kristine's current path, look into her recent production work and her advocacy for women in journalism. For those interested in the business side, keep an eye on Howard Liu’s moves with AirTable as the company navigates its next phase of growth in the mid-2020s. Both are still very much active—just on their own terms.