TNT Sports presenter recognized with ‘extremely uncommon’ illness makes Champions League TV return

A former beauty queen now known for her eye-catching outfits on TNT Sports has been diagnosed with an ‘ultra rare’ disease, but is refusing to stop covering Champions League

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A scorching hot former beauty queen, now known for her eye-catching outfits on Champions League TV coverage, has opened up about she is suffering from an “ultra rare” illness.

Ex-model Miroslava Montemayor, who became a prominent presenter for TNT Sports, said she was diagnosed with a condition that affects just 22 people in her country and only came to light after she broke her hip.

The 36-year-old, who won the Nuestra Belleza Internacional México pageant in 2013 and now anchors broadcasts in the North American country, shared her ordeal on Instagram. She posted hospital images and X-rays, which initially appeared like a typical sports injury.

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But she had a 2.5cm tumour that systematically leaches vital minerals directly from the human skeleton. Miroslava said: “It was not just a right hip fracture, there were also 16 microfractures in the spine and the left hip was on the verge of fracturing.

“This did not happen overnight. It is called tumour-induced osteomalacia, also known as oncogenic osteomalacia, considered an ultra-rare disease with only 22 cases registered in Mexico.”

Miroslava’s symptoms began about two years ago, leading to her temporary withdrawal from TNT Sports broadcasts, including a Champions League match in March 2026.

Initial misdiagnoses confused the pain with other bone, muscle, and neurological conditions, a common issue with this illness that can take up to eight years to identify correctly.

Oncogenic osteomalacia is triggered by usually benign tumours that overproduce the hormone FGF23.

This causes excessive phosphorus loss through urine, leading to progressive bone weakening, severe pain, muscle weakness, and frequent fractures.

Health authorities note the condition causes profound muscle weakness alongside extreme bone fragility.

Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the tumour, which was possible in her case, followed by rehabilitation.

The Monterrey-born presenter, who studied industrial engineering and previously worked at ESPN and TV Azteca, has praised her medical team, particularly Dr Tayde Arechiga.

She noted her pains have largely subsided and her bones are regaining strength, as reported by NeedToKnow.

Miroslava returned to Champions League coverage during the semi-finals, appearing on air with crutches and seated.

In her posts, she thanked the doctors “who during these months have left me as good as new” and indicated she would later share more updates about the confusing symptoms she endured.

The sports journalist has expressed optimism about her recovery while continuing her broadcasting career covering top European football games.

Miroslava started her broadcasting career in Monterrey covering the 2015 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl XLIX, having been a Mexican beauty pageant titleholder. She even represented her country at Miss International 2013 in Japan.

The stunner later joined ESPN where she continued her work on US-based sports before working at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

In 2019, she left ESPN to take up her current role at TNT Sports where she works covering the Champions League for the Mexican audience.

The sportscaster, from Guadalupe, is in a relationship with Club Tijuana President and owner Jorge Alberto Hank, the son of Jorge Hank Rhon – an infamous businessman and owner of Mexico’s largest sports betting company, Grupo Caliente.

Montemayor announced her engagement to Jorge Alberto on Instagram in September 2019.