Respected ESPN producer and sports figure, Howie Schwab, died on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the age of 63.
Schwab was well-known for his extensive sports knowledge, displayed on ESPN’s game show “Stump the Schwab” in the early 2000s.
His health struggles were shared in touching tributes following his death. ESPN college basketball analyst, Dick Vitale, expressed his sorrow on social media, recounting the strong bond he had with Schwab. Vitale’s message suggested that Schwab, despite grappling with health issues, appeared in high spirits during a recent visit.
Joining ESPN in 1987, Schwab’s career largely revolved around behind-the-scenes work until 2004, when he took center stage in “Stump the Schwab.” The show, which aired until 2006, saw Schwab engaging in trivia contests with sports enthusiasts. The late Stuart Scott hosted the show, which highlighted Schwab’s formidable knowledge, leading him to a record of 64 victories and 16 losses.
In 2020, Schwab reflected on his performance, saying, “Eighty percent is pretty darn good. There were times I was outmatched, and that was okay. I recall being upset once when I lost to someone quite arrogant, but overall, I’ve accepted being stumped as part of the game. My lifelong passion for sports has seen me through.”
Gerry Matalon, founder of Matalon Media and former ESPN coordinating producer, praised Schwab’s dedication and selflessness. “Having Howie in our lives was an absolute blessing and a privilege,” Matalon said. During his early career at ESPN, Schwab also appeared on “First Take,” where he humorously rated sports events on a ‘one to five bags of chips’ scale. Former ‘First Take’ co-host Skip Bayless declared, “In my career, I’ve never known anyone who loved sports more than Howie Schwab.”
Schwab’s legacy included more than just his television work. He and his wife, Suzie, attended the 18th Annual Dick Vitale Gala, a fundraiser for the V Foundation’s cancer research efforts. Schwab’s support for sports and charitable causes was demonstrated by his ongoing involvement in such events. After ESPN and Schwab parted ways in 2013, he joined Fox Sports as a writer and consultant for Sports Jeopardy! This position allowed him to remain engaged with sports trivia and stay active in the sports broadcasting community.
