Cari Champion: Where Sports Meets Substance

Cari Champion is more than a seasoned broadcaster—she is a boundary-breaking media powerhouse who has turned sports journalism into a platform for culture, advocacy, and truth. With her unmistakable poise and fearless voice, Champion has redefined what it means to lead in the world of sports media, while carving out a lane that centers authenticity, justice, and joy.

Her rise to prominence began at ESPN, where she became a household name as the host of First Take and later, a leading anchor for SportsCenter. She made history as the network’s first Black woman to anchor its flagship program, breaking ceilings and opening doors for countless others. But it wasn’t just her journalistic skill that captivated audiences—it was her ability to humanize sports, elevate underrepresented voices, and ask the questions no one else dared to.

After ESPN, Champion’s journey expanded into bold, new territories. She teamed up with fellow journalist Jemele Hill to launch Cari & Jemele (Won’t) Stick to Sports on Vice TV—a groundbreaking show that brought unfiltered conversations around race, politics, gender, and pop culture into the mainstream. The show cemented Champion’s status as more than just a host—she’s a cultural critic, a truth-teller, and a curator of courageous conversations.

Champion is also the founder and host of the Naked with Cari Champion podcast, where she strips away pretense and dives into deeply personal and powerful dialogues with guests ranging from athletes to activists to entertainers. Her platform offers not just insight but inspiration, revealing the humanity behind success, failure, and transformation.

What drives Cari Champion is a relentless pursuit of truth—and the belief that media should reflect the full breadth of the human experience. As a Black woman in an industry long dominated by white male voices, Champion has never backed down from challenging the status quo. Instead, she uses her platform to uplift stories that matter, advocate for equity, and mentor the next generation of journalists and changemakers.

With a growing portfolio of content, an unwavering commitment to excellence, and a voice that resonates across audiences, Cari Champion is not just a media personality—she is a movement in motion.