By John “Woods” Armwood III
The first time Kalia Butler stood courtside at Wintrust Arena with a mic in hand, ready to report on the Chicago Sky, she wasn’t just stepping into a new role—she was stepping into a lifelong dream that had been steadily stitched together by sheer willpower, relentless self-belief, and a Chicago-rooted love for the game.
And then, in what felt like a cosmic full-circle moment, she got to interview Dwyane Wade.
"I used to wait for the day I could meet Dwyane Wade just to tell him we had the same math teacher," she laughs, eyes lighting up. "I loved the Heat, loved the LeBron-Wade era. I remember screaming at my first Bulls game, not because I was cheering for the Bulls—but because they were playing the Heat."
That moment—brief on camera, unforgettable in impact—became her personal “Sh3GotGame” moment. It was the spark that validated not only her childhood passion for basketball but also the legitimacy of her place in the world of professional sports media.
Chicago Roots, National Vision
Born and raised in Chicago, Butler came up through the same city streets that shaped Wade, Candace Parker, and countless other stars. But her journey veered from the hardwood to the sidelines, though no less demanding. A proud Syracuse graduate with a sharp broadcast voice and an authentic love for storytelling, Butler wasn’t handed her platform. She built it, email by email, reel by reel, often updating mentors and execs with her growth until the door finally cracked open.
“I wasn’t even looking for a paycheck at first. I just wanted in,” she recalls. “I kept sending my reel, updating it, showing them what I could do. Eventually, I got that message back: ‘You come highly recommended. We’d love for you to do it this season.’ That was it.
The Observer’s Eye: More Than Stats
Butler doesn’t just narrate stats—she adds heartbeat to the game. Her style of sideline reporting leans heavily into the unscripted, the unplanned, and the unseen.
“What look did someone give Dwyane Wade from across the bench? Those are things people wouldn’t catch unless they’re physically there,” she explains. “It’s those tiny, human moments that connect fans to the game in a way that highlights not just what’s happening, but why it matters.”
Her interviews are never just about what happened during the last play. They often tie into evergreen stories—player backstories, pregame chats, or even quiet moments fans may have missed in the arena. Her goal is simple: create intimacy in a game often dominated by highlight reels.
Creating Space, Holding Space
Butler is aware of what her presence means—not just as a reporter, but as a young Black woman in a field that hasn’t always left room. She’s intentional about making space, and just as importantly, showing other young women that the space is there for them too.
“Even when I was getting into this, I’d wonder: is there space for me? It feels saturated. But I always remind people, your unique voice matters. Nobody else brings what you bring,” she says. “There’s always a way in. Even if someone tells you no, you find another way to get to the yes.”
Her advice for young women mirrors the way she’s carried herself since college: don’t ask for permission, ask for opportunity—and when you don’t get it, build your own table anyway.
Human First, Athlete Second
In her work on “Kalia's Playbook,” Butler peels back the layers of athletes beyond their stat lines. She focuses on telling stories that highlight players as multidimensional humans with ambitions, families, struggles, and identities beyond the jersey.
“I just think it’s important that fans get to see who these players are off the court. That informs how they play, how they lead, how they show up in their communities,” Butler says. “I want to show the human first, the athlete second.”
Whether it’s Angel Reese launching a shoe line inspired by her Baltimore roots or young fans screaming for Haley Van Lith at games, Butler relishes the connection between athletes and the next generation. She remembers being that little girl in the stands—and now she gets to help narrate the experience for others.
A Platform with Purpose
Butler’s growing influence is not just media presence—it’s cultural resonance. She’s the voice between the players and the fans, the facilitator of empathy and understanding. Her mission is part journalism, part community building.
“My dad told me when I was younger, ‘Your path will be harder,’ and I didn’t fully get it at the time. But now, I understand what he meant. As a Black woman in this industry, sometimes people will say no just because. You take it on the chin—and you keep going.”
Conclusion
Her story is still unfolding, but it’s already a blueprint: belief, hustle, representation. And through it all, her hometown keeps echoing in her spirit.
Whether she’s interviewing a superstar or spotlighting a rookie, Kalia Butler isn’t just covering the story—she’s becoming part of it.
"There’s always a space for you,” she says again, as if reminding herself just as much as her audience. “And your voice—your specific voice—will always matter.”
And as the next buzzer sounds inside Wintrust Arena, you get the sense she’s only just begun telling hers.