Mike Payton

Mike Payton, Lions Beat Writer and Division Editor- A to Z Sports

Mike Payton is a sports writer and division editor at A to Z Sports, specializing in Detroit Lions coverage. With over a decade of experience covering the Lions, he brings unique historical insights and perspective to his work. He resides in Metro Detroit

Highlights

• Covered the Detroit Lions since the 2014 season
• Weekly TV spots as the Lions Insider for WZZM 13 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. An ABC affiliate
• Appearances on ESPN radio, Fox Sports radio, and Sirius XM
• Former columnist at SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit from April 2016 to June 2023
• Former Managing Editor for Minute Media’s SideLion Report
• Member of the Pro Football Writers of America.
• Covered college and high school sports for the Holland Sentinel for
• Married to my high school sweetheart. Been together 20 plus years.
• World’s biggest Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fan, and he’s ready to defend that title

Experience

Mike has seen his work appear across SB Nation, The Athletic, Minute Media, with syndication at Yahoo Sports, MSN, CNN, FOX Sports, Sports Illustrated, and more. He has appeared on multiple radio shows, podcasts, and TV News segments.

Education

Mike majored in journalism at Las Positas College in Dublin, California. He also studied Media Production at the CareerLine Tech Center in Holland, Michigan.