Cari Champion: Redefining Sports, Culture, and Power — On Her Own Terms

For years, Cari Champion has stood at the epicenter of sports journalism, but her impact has always extended far beyond the scoreboard. With every broadcast, every conversation, and every moment behind the mic, she has built a career not just as a commentator of games, but as a commentator of life itself — shining a light on the intersection of sports, society, and justice.

Cari’s voice is powerful because it is fearless. In an industry traditionally dominated by men, and especially by voices that often sideline the experiences of Black athletes and communities, Cari Champion has commanded respect not by demanding it — but by earning it, consistently, relentlessly, and authentically.

Her mission is clear: to amplify truth, uplift marginalized stories, and challenge the boundaries of what sports journalism can be.

More Than the Game

Cari Champion’s genius lies in her ability to transform what could be ordinary sports coverage into deeply human narratives. She has always understood that the world of athletics is not a bubble — it’s a mirror. A mirror that reflects systemic inequality, racial injustice, economic disparity, and the enduring resilience of those who fight for something greater than victory alone.

From her time at ESPN, where she held her ground as one of the few Black women anchoring major sports segments, to her growing body of independent projects, Cari has used her platform to push conversations that matter. She has boldly covered athlete activism, highlighted gender disparities in sports, and challenged the media’s role in shaping public perception.

Her work dismantles the old script: sports are no longer just entertainment. Under Cari’s lens, they are arenas of protest, platforms for cultural commentary, and battlegrounds for equity.

Trailblazing New Frontiers

Not one to rest on legacy media alone, Cari has ventured beyond traditional networks to expand her influence. Through podcasts, digital media ventures, and on-the-ground interviews, she continues to create space for bold, unfiltered conversations.

Whether she's moderating panels on race and representation, amplifying athlete-led activism, or offering behind-the-scenes insights into the lives of sports figures, Cari ensures that authenticity remains front and center.

Her trajectory is proof that media personalities no longer have to wait for permission to lead. They can own their narratives. Build their own stages. And create ecosystems that reflect the full depth of their communities.

A Champion for the Culture

What sets Cari apart is her ability to balance journalistic integrity with cultural authenticity. She is approachable yet authoritative, warm yet incisive — a rare combination that makes her voice resonate across generations.

She doesn’t just tell the story; she lives the mission of creating equitable spaces in media. And in doing so, she inspires a new wave of journalists, commentators, and culture-shapers who see her not only as a professional success but as a blueprint for impact.

Cari’s legacy is not just in what she covers, but in how she covers it: unapologetically Black, unapologetically woman, and unapologetically real.

Part of a Bigger Movement: The Machetes

Cari Champion’s work embodies the mission of The Machetes — a collective of fearless women who, together, are reshaping the media landscape and culture at large.

As one of the ten founding Machetes, Cari is not alone in her pursuit of truth and justice. Alongside fellow trailblazers like Joy Reid, Angela Rye, Tiffany Cross, Jemele Hill, LaTosha Brown, Errin Haines, Alicia Garza, Brittany Packnett Cunningham, and Sunny Hostin, she amplifies a shared commitment: to cut through the noise, dismantle systemic barriers, and elevate the voices that matter most.

The Machetes are not simply a media collective — they are a movement. A living testament to what is possible when bold women come together to challenge the status quo and create new narratives from the ground up.

Cari’s journey is proof of this collective power. Through her work, she not only advances her own remarkable legacy but fortifies the foundation of The Macheteverse — an ecosystem designed to uplift, empower, and ignite meaningful change across industries and communities.

In every story she tells and every barrier she breaks, Cari Champion reminds us that the game is bigger than sports. It is about culture. It is about justice. It is about us.

And together with The Machetes, she’s ensuring that the game is never the same again.