Cari Champion ESPN Biography: Age, Career, and Personal Life

Cari Champion Biography: A Look at the Talented Broadcast Journalist

Cari Champion is a well-known American broadcast journalist, television personality, and sports anchor. She gained national recognition as a co-host on ESPN’s sports debate show First Take alongside Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.

Her engaging style and passion for sports have also been displayed through her roles as an anchor on ESPN’s SportsCenter and as a host of SportsNation.

She later joined Fox Sports to co-anchor Fox Sports’ First Things First and took on hosting roles on other networks, showcasing her versatility in both sports and news media.

Early Life and Education

Cari grew up in Pasadena and attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she majored in English and minored in Communications.

During her time at UCLA, she wrote for the Daily Bruin and was inspired by UCLA alumni, including Matea Gold of the Washington Post, who was the editor in chief of the student newspaper.

Career

Cari began her broadcasting career at several television stations, including the Orange County Newschannel in Santa Ana, California, and WPTV-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida.

She later joined WGCL-TV in Atlanta, where she faced controversy but was rehired after appealing her firing. In 2012, she joined ESPN as the host of First Take, working alongside Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless.

She was promoted to SportsCenter anchor in 2015 and later hosted SportsNation.

Cari left ESPN in 2020 and co-hosted Cari & Jemele (Won’t) Stick to Sports with Jemele Hill on Vice. She continues to be a prominent voice in sports journalism and media.

Notable Achievements

• First Take Host: Cari was the first African-American woman to host ESPN2’s live debate show, First Take.

• SportsCenter Anchor: She made history as one of the first African-American women to anchor ESPN’s flagship program, SportsCenter.

• Podcast Host: Cari hosts a podcast where she continues to share her insights and connect with listeners.

Personal Life and Hobbies

As for her hobbies, Cari enjoys reading, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. She is also passionate about fitness and yoga, which help her stay balanced and focused.

Age

Cari Champion was born on June 1, 1975, in Pasadena, California, making her 49 years old as of 2024. Her zodiac sign is Gemini. She is of African-American descent and holds American nationality.

Parents, Upbringing, and Siblings

Cari Champion was raised in Pasadena, California, by her parents, Dylan and Mariah Champion.

She has an older sister and two younger brothers, making her the middle child in the family.

Growing up, Cari was inspired by her parents’ emphasis on education and hard work, which played a significant role in shaping her career aspirations.

Husband

Cari Champion is currently single and focusing on her career, so she doesn’t have a husband or children at the moment. However, she has shared that she values her close relationships with her family and friends.

Cari Champion does not have any children. She is currently single and focusing on her career.

Cari enjoys spending her free time engaging in various hobbies, such as reading, traveling, and exploring new cuisines. She is also passionate about fitness and yoga, which help her stay balanced and focused.

Champion resides in the Los Angeles area, where she continues to work on her projects and connect with her loved ones.

Cari Champion and Ryen Russillo

Cari Champion and Ryen Russillo, a fellow ESPN colleague, were in a relationship from 2014 until around 2018.

They publicly acknowledged their relationship through social media, but have since gone their separate ways and no longer follow each other on social media.

Height

Cari Champion stands at a height of 6 feet 1 inch tall (185 cm) and weighs around 130 pounds (59 kg). Her body measurements are 37-25-37 inches (94-64-94 cm), and she wears a 36C bra size

Cari Champion’s Career and Background

Champion graduated from UCLA with a degree in English and a minor in Mass Communications. She began her career as a reporter covering news in California, later moving into sports journalism.

Her breakthrough came with ESPN, where her work on First Take and SportsCenter established her as a major sports media figure.

Champion transitioned to Fox Sports in 2020, expanding her portfolio to include various hosting and anchoring roles.

She is also an advocate for women’s rights and diversity in sports media, frequently using her platform to discuss social issues.

Early Career and Education

Cari Champion attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she majored in English and minored in Communications.

During her time at UCLA, she wrote for the Daily Bruin and was inspired by UCLA alumni, including Matea Gold of the Washington Post, who was the editor in chief of the student newspaper.

Cari’s passion for journalism was fueled by her desire to give a voice to the underrepresented.

Early Broadcasting Work

Cari began her broadcasting career at several television stations. She moved to West Virginia for her first reporting job, where she worked as a one-man-band carrying a camera and a tripod.

She later worked at the Orange County Newschannel in Santa Ana, California, and WPTV-TV in West Palm Beach, Florida.

In November 2007, while working as an anchor for WGCL-TV in Atlanta, Cari was fired for allegedly uttering a profanity over the air.

She appealed the firing and was rehired in January 2008, but left shortly after for a broadcasting job outside of Atlanta.

Joining ESPN

In October 2012, Cari joined ESPN as the host of First Take, ESPN2’s live debate show. She worked alongside Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless, proposing different ideas for stories and making her on-screen debut in November 2014.

Cari profiled and interviewed American football quarterback Cam Newton in a segment for E:60 for her debut. In June 2015, ESPN promoted Cari to the post of SportsCenter anchor after a six-month petition to the network.

She anchored her last episode of First Take in June 2015 and began hosting morning versions of SportsCenter in July 2015.

SportsNation and Vice

In March 2018, Cari became the host of SportsNation, where she and her co-hosts explored the day’s different sports subjects in 30-minute episodes.

She left ESPN in February 2020 and co-hosted Cari & Jemele (Won’t) Stick to Sports with Jemele Hill on the Vice network from August 2020 to February 2021.

The Cari Champion Show

The Cari Champion Show is a sports and culture talk show hosted by Cari Champion on Amazon Prime Video. It features discussions on a wide range of topics, including:

• Sports: The latest news, analysis, and commentary on various sports, including football, basketball, and other popular leagues.

• Culture: Discussions on current events, social issues, and popular culture.

• Interviews: In-depth interviews with athletes, coaches, celebrities, and other notable figures.

The show is known for its engaging format, insightful commentary, and diverse range of topics. Champion’s unique perspective and ability to connect with her audience have made the show a popular choice for sports and culture fans.

Cari Champion has covered numerous notable stories in sports throughout her career. Here are some highlights:

• Cam Newton Interview: Cari made her on-screen debut at ESPN by profiling and interviewing American football quarterback Cam Newton for the segment E:60. This interview was a significant moment in her career, showcasing her ability to connect with high-profile athletes and delve into their personal stories.

• First Take: As the host of First Take, Cari engaged in lively debates and discussions on various sports topics alongside Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless. Her contributions helped shape the show’s dynamic and brought diverse perspectives to the table.

• SportsCenter: Cari anchored SportsCenter, ESPN’s flagship program, where she delivered sports news, highlights, and in-depth analysis. Her presence on the show was a testament to her versatility and expertise in sports journalism.

• SportsNation: As the host of SportsNation, Cari explored different sports subjects in 30-minute episodes, providing insightful commentary and engaging discussions on trending sports topics.

• Cari & Jemele (Won’t) Stick to Sports: After leaving ESPN, Cari co-hosted this show with Jemele Hill on Vice, where they discussed sports, politics, and current events without sticking to traditional sports journalism boundaries.

• CNN+ Show “Speak.Easy”: Cari co-hosts this show with Jemele Hill on CNN+, where they tackle trending topics ranging from race and politics to sports and current events. The show offers a platform for two of the most outspoken voices in the industry to speak their truth.

Cari Champion has worked with many notable colleagues throughout her career. Here are a few of them:

• Stephen A. Smith: Cari co-hosted First Take with Stephen A. Smith, where they engaged in lively debates and discussions on various sports topics.

• Skip Bayless: Before Stephen A. Smith, Cari worked alongside Skip Bayless on First Take, contributing to the show’s dynamic and diverse perspectives.

• Jemele Hill: Cari co-hosted the show Cari & Jemele (Won’t) Stick to Sports with Jemele Hill on Vice, where they discussed sports, politics, and current events.

• David Lloyd: While at SportsCenter, Cari worked alongside David Lloyd on the midday broadcast, delivering sports news and highlights.

• Kevin Durant and LeBron James: Cari had the opportunity to ride with and interview basketball stars Kevin Durant and LeBron James in Akron, Ohio, discussing their careers, inspirations, and views on social issues.

These colleagues have contributed to Cari’s growth and success in the sports journalism industry.

Podcast Host

Cari also hosts a podcast where she shares her insights and connects with listeners on various sports and entertainment topics. She hosts two podcasts:

Net Worth and Salary

Cari Champion’s net worth is estimated to be around $2 million, a reflection of her successful journalism career. Her annual salary has varied with her different roles but was reported to be in the range of $1 million while at ESPN.

Is Cari Champion Married?

Cari Champion is currently single. She was previously in a relationship with Ryen Russillo, a fellow ESPN colleague, which she publicly acknowledged in 2014. However, there is no recent public information about her romantic life.

How Old Is Cari Champion?

Cari Champion was born on June 1, 1975, which makes her 49 years old as of 2024.

Where Is Cari Champion?

Cari Champion is currently based in Los Angeles, California. She is currently hosting The Cari Champion Show on Amazon Prime Video Sports Talk.

She also hosts NFL Next Live on Amazon, which airs exclusively on Twitch, and The Arena on TNT, a storytelling franchise focusing on NBA-related topics.

Additionally, she co-hosts The Titan Games on NBC, a reality competition series created by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Cari Champion is quite active on social media. She has a strong presence on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

On Instagram, she shares updates about her life, career, and personal interests. On Twitter, she engages with her audience and shares sports-related content. She also has a presence on Facebook.