Sports Illustrated and Empower Onyx are putting the spotlight on the diverse journeys of Black women across sports—from the veteran athletes, to up-and-coming stars, coaches, executives and more—in the series, Elle-evate: 100 Influential Black Women in Sports.
Long before Cari Champion ever knew she’d become a broadcast journalist, she used to tag along to Los Angeles Lakers’ games with her sports-obsessed grandmother, Estelle Manning. Now 96, Manning planted the sports seed in her granddaughter’s heart. Champion recalls that when no one else would go to the games, she excitedly jumped at the chance just to spend time with her grandmother, who she describes as “a hardcore basketball fan.” This special bond laid the groundwork for Champion’s love of sports, which would eventually bring her full circle to her life’s purpose.
