Joseph Payton Biography
Joseph Payton is a renowned American Journalist working as a Sports Anchor, Reporter, and Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) at WSAZ-TV in Huntington, West Virginia. He joined the station in June 2021 after previously working as a reporter/MMJ at 14 WFIE in Evansville, Indiana (from 2018 to 2021).

Education | Career
Payton began his pursuit of higher education at St. Joseph Central Catholic High School, where he pursued his high school diploma. After graduating in 2014, he enrolled at Ohio University, where he studied journalism and actively participated in student media, particularly sports broadcasting. During his time at Ohio University, Payton was deeply involved with WOUB-TV’s “Gridiron Glory”, serving as the host during its 19th season. This program, dedicated to high school football coverage in southeast Ohio, was a formative experience that helped him develop his on-air presence and storytelling skills. He graduated from the university in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism, News, and Information.
Payton serves as a Sports Anchor, Reporter, and Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) at WSAZ NewsChannel 3, based in Huntington, West Virginia. In this role, he has consistently focused on local sports reporting, with a strong emphasis on high school athletics, community sports events, and government announcements related to athletics. He joined the station in June 2021 and has already become a notable figure in the Huntington community.
Before joining WSAZ, Payton worked as a Reporter/MMJ at 14 WFIE in Evansville, Indiana, from 2018 to 2021, where he gained valuable experience covering local news and sports stories. His career path also includes work and features with KALB-TV. When he is not in the newsroom, you can find him playing golf with his friends, watching some of his favorite teams, the Ohio Bobcats and the Ohio State Buckeyes, and playing Xbox.
Parents | Family
Payton was born and raised in the United States, but has chosen to keep details about his family private. As a result, specifics about his family background remain unavailable to the public. We will share any updates if and when he decides to disclose more.
Joseph Payton Age
Payton was born in Ironton, Ohio, United States, but has chosen not to disclose specific details about his date of birth, including the day, month, and year. As a result, his exact age and birthday remain unknown to the public. While updates will be provided if and when this information is shared, current estimates based on appearance suggest he may be in his 30s.
Partner
Payton is engaged to Lesya Feinstein, who is from Utah. They have been dating since they worked together in Evansville and got engaged in July 2025. Their engagement was recently announced and even covered by local outlets like WSAZ NewsChannel 3, with photos shared courtesy of Bella Whaley Photography
Joseph Payton Salary
Payton’s salary ranges between $20,000 and $55,000.
Net Worth
Payton has an estimated net worth of between $1 million and $5 million. His primary source of income is working as a Journalist.
Social Media Platforms
Payton is very active on social media, i.e., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. He has over 12k followers on Facebook @Joseph Payton.
Joseph Payton Height
Payton stands at an approximate height of 6 feet 1 inch.
Quick Facts About Joseph Payton
- Age: Even after thorough research, we were unable to establish Joseph’s age, as this is information he prefers to keep private.
- Marital Status: Joseph is engaged to Lesya Feinstein
- Net Worth: He has an estimated net worth of between $1 Million and $5 Million
- Salary: Joseph receives an estimated annual salary of between $20 000 and $50 000
- Nationality: He is American
- Height: Joseph stands at an approximate height of 6 feet 1 inch.