Hannah Storm has developed a reputation for going one-on-one against the best. Throughout her 24-year career as a broadcaster, Storm has captivated audiences with her intriguing interviews with individuals such as Barack Obama, Michael Jordan, and Condoleezza Rice. After five years of serving as the host of “The Early Show” on CBS, Storm recently made a comeback in sports by becoming an analyst for ESPN’s critically acclaimed signature show, “SportsCenter.” Storm sat down with rolling out sports to discuss the difficulties of being a female sports analyst, balancing a career and family, and how diversity will play a major role in the future of sports.
Why did you choose a career in sports?
In college, I gravitated towards sports. Although there weren’t any women doing sports journalism at the time, I didn’t realize what a challenge it would be. But I knew that I wanted to do something I loved, so I pursued sports.
How has the field of sports changed for females who want to be analysts?
When I got into sports, I was really one of the only women doing it. When I broke on the scene at CNN Sports, I was one of the first female sports anchors. At NBC, I was the first female to host a major league sports property when I hosted the NBA on NBC. I also hosted the Olympics. I had a lot of determination to pursue my dreams. I wanted to open the door so people could except women as sports casters. I hope that I was a part of that. Now it’s gratifying to see so many women on the sidelines and behind the anchor desk.
How do you balance family life and your career?
I have three kids and that keeps me busy. I have always made a decision to put family first. Before I had kids, I covered events such as the NBA Finals, the Olympics, Wimbledon, and the World Series. But as I had children, I knew that I wanted to be home more. I then got into news and only hosted morning shows. I ended up hosting “The Early Show” and I’m now hosting “SportsCenter” in the morning.
Who are your favorite black athletes and how have they changed their perspective sports?
Michael Jordan was great at setting the tone for people in the NBA. In terms of how he played and how he dealt with the media. When he was a player, I was one of only a few women and he was such a gentleman. He set the standards for the other guys in the league and the guys coming out of college. Tiger Woods changed the way people think about golf and he’s changing the face of what a golf champion looks like. I think Tiger’s affect will be seen in the future. Golf is now a sport that everyone can enjoy. I also do a lot of work with the Jackie Robinson foundation. I think Jackie’s legacy in breaking the color barrier is continued in an unbelievable way by his wife Rachel Robinson. The Robinson family has taken what Jackie achieved on the field and they have gracefully transformed that into programs for higher education. What they have done is nothing less than amazing.
In conjunction with Women’s History Month, Hannah Storm will be featured in Her Story. The documentary will show how young girls have been empowered by their participation in sports. -amir shaw
