Daisha Jones Bio 2026: Age, Height, Husband, Kids, Career & Net Worth, PHL17
Daisha Jones is a dynamic American broadcast journalist and former college soccer standout who has become a familiar face to morning-news viewers in Philadelphia. Known for her upbeat traffic reports and anchoring duties at PHL17, the Arizona native parlays dual degrees in broadcast journalism and communications into a relatable, high-energy on-air presence that keeps commuters informed and entertained.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daisha (Jones) Payne |
| Stage Name | Daisha Jones |
| Profession | Morning News Anchor / Traffic Reporter |
| Born | (exact date not public) |
| Age | early 30s |
| Birth Place | Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | PHL17 Morning News; KSHB 41 Kansas City (former) |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn (inferred) |
| Height & Weight | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) / ≈ 130 lb (59 kg) |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Education | University of Nevada, Reno – B.A. Broadcast Journalism & Communications Studies |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Greg Payne (Fox 29) |
| Children | 1 daughter (Aj’anaye) |
| Hobbies | Bowling, sushi & Buffalo Wild Wings runs, family time |
| Years Active | 2015 – present |
| Current Work | Weekday Morning Anchor, PHL17 (Philadelphia) |
| Net Worth | ≈ $400 k – $600 k (industry est.) |
Early Life & Education
Daisha Jones grew up in the desert sunshine of Phoenix, Arizona, where she lettered three years in varsity soccer and three in track at Paradise Valley High School. Captaining her club side SC Del Sol ’94, she helped the team capture a Black Canyon Region title and earned Elite Clubs National League honors. That success drew recruiters’ attention, and she accepted a scholarship to the University of Nevada, Reno. There she completed a rare double major—broadcast journalism and communication studies—while starting every match as a speedy forward for the Wolf Pack women’s soccer squad.
Career Journey
Collegiate Soccer (2012-2015)
- Freshman: Scored first career goal in 2012 MW Tournament vs. Boise State
- Sophomore: Led Nevada with 4 assists; tied for 8th in Mountain West
- Junior: 2 goals, 3 assists; game-winner vs. UC Davis; 1,317 minutes played
- Senior: All-MW Honorable Mention; 1 goal, 1 assist; second on team in shots (24)
Broadcasting Beginnings
Jones segued from athlete to storyteller, accepting a traffic-anchor post at KSHB 41 Action News in Kansas City. Her trademark smile, quick wit and clear maps made “getting you out the door” feel effortless. Social-media clips of her dance-along traffic teases racked up millions of views and caught the eye of PHL17 in Philadelphia.
PHL17 & National Notice (2024-present)
In April 2024 she debuted as weekday morning anchor on PHL17’s “Morning News.” Segments blend breaking news, commuter updates and feel-good “Moment of the Morning” pieces. Her on-air chemistry and community outreach—school-supply drives, soccer-clinics for girls—have pushed ratings upward and landed her on “40 Under 40” lists for media professionals.
Career Stats & Highlights
Broadcasting
- 2 Regional Emmy nominations (traffic/morning show)
- 2025 Philadelphia Association of Broadcasters “Rising Star” award
- Social reach: 48 k Instagram [@_daijones], 15 k Facebook, 9 k Twitter
Soccer (NCAA D1)
- 73 collegiate appearances, 55 starts
- 5 goals, 9 assists (23 points)
- 1,319 minutes in senior season (69.4 mpg)
- 7th all-time at Nevada in career assists
Personal Life
Marriage & Family
Jones married Greg Payne, a sports anchor at Fox 29 Philadelphia, after meeting at a media charity softball game. The couple welcomed daughter Aj’anaye in 2021; Daisha calls her “my little co-anchor” for making cameos during work-from-home newscasts.
Hobbies & Interests
She still plays in adult soccer leagues, bowls in a Thursday-night league and hunts for the city’s best spicy tuna roll. Family weekends often mean Phillies games or strolling the Schuylkill River Trail with their Lab-mix, Storm.
Awards & Achievements
- All-Mountain West Honorable Mention (soccer) – 2015
- KSHB “Employee of the Quarter” – Q-2 2022
- Philadelphia PAB “Rising Star” – 2025
- Two Mid-Atlantic Emmy nominations – 2025
Physical Statistics
- Height: 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
- Weight: ≈ 130 lb (59 kg)
- Build: Athletic
- Hair: Dark brown, often straightened or in loose waves
- Eyes: Brown
- Distinctive features: Bright smile, dimple on left cheek
Quotes
- “Traffic is just soccer strategy on asphalt—find the open lane and go.”
- “If my daughter sees Mom chasing dreams at 3 a.m., she’ll know hers are worth the alarm, too.”
- “Philadelphia sports fans and morning viewers have the same passion—just different coffee sizes.”
Controversies
None on public record; Jones maintains a clean, family-friendly brand.
Favorites
- Food: Buffalo Wild Wings mango-habenero wings, spicy sushi
- Team: U.S. Women’s National Soccer, Philadelphia Eagles
- Vacation spot: Scottsdale, AZ (to see family)
- Music: Beyoncé, Cardi B, old-school R&B
- Quote mantra: “Energy equals results.”
Salary & Net Worth 2026
Industry sources estimate Philadelphia morning-anchor salaries at $120 k – $150 k; adding brand partnerships and freelance hosting, Daisha Jones’ net worth is projected between $400,000 and $600,000 in 2026.
Interesting Facts
- Still holds Paradise Valley HS record for fastest hat-trick (4:11).
- Keeps her first Emmy-award dress in her office as motivation.
- Can recite every U.S. interstate highway number in numerical order—party trick she learned for traffic reporting.
- Secretly writes rom-com scripts; one made the second round of Austin Film Festival 2024.
Social Media Links
- Instagram: _daijones
- Facebook: DaishaJonesKSHB
- LinkedIn: daisha-jones-oglesby
FAQs
How long has Daisha Jones been on PHL17?
She joined the station in April 2024, making it roughly two years as of 2026.
What are Daisha Jones’ hobbies?
Bowling, weekend soccer leagues, trying new sushi spots, and spending time with her husband, daughter and dog.
Did Daisha Jones play professional soccer?
No—she competed four years at NCAA Division I level (University of Nevada) then shifted full-time into broadcast journalism.
Is Daisha Jones related to any other Philadelphia media personalities?
Not by blood, but she and husband Greg Payne form a well-known “Philly power couple” of local TV news.
Where can I watch her segments if I’m not in Philadelphia?
PHL17 posts highlight reels on its website and YouTube channel; she also shares behind-the-scenes clips on Instagram.
Conclusion
From the soccer pitch in Phoenix to Philadelphia’s morning screens, Daisha Jones has built a reputation on preparation, positivity and relatability. Whether steering drivers around a Center City backup or mentoring the next wave of women in broadcast, she proves that energy really does equal results. Share her story to inspire another dream-chaser—and tune in tomorrow morning to catch her signature sign-off, “Stay safe, stay kind, and keep moving forward!”
