On Saturday, April 20, 2024, the sports industry lost a beloved figure, Howie Schwab, a long-time ESPN producer, at the age of 63.
Recognized for his vast knowledge of sports trivia, Schwab was best known for his appearance on ESPN’s game show, “Stump the Schwab” in the early 2000s. His health struggles were acknowledged in several touching tributes following his death. Dick Vitale, ESPN’s college basketball analyst, shared his sorrow on social media, highlighting the close bond he had with Schwab.
Having started his career at ESPN in 1987, Schwab worked mostly behind the scenes until 2004 when he rose to fame through “Stump the Schwab.” The show, which aired until 2006, featured Schwab taking on sports enthusiasts in trivia competitions. Hosted by the late Stuart Scott, Schwab’s remarkable knowledge was showcased as he achieved a record of 64 wins against 16 losses.
In a 2020 media interaction, 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, the founder of Matalon Media and former ESPN coordinating producer and talent coach, applauded Schwab’s commitment. He portrayed him as a model of excellence and a selfless person dedicated to helping others, regardless of the circumstances. “Having Howie in our lives was an absolute blessing and a privilege,” Matalon commented.
Schwab also made appearances on “First Take” earlier in his ESPN career, where he humorously graded sports events on a ‘one to five bags of chips’ scale. His love for sports was unparalleled, according to former ‘First Take’ co-host Skip Bayless. Schwab’s legacy reached beyond television, with a 2023 file photo showing him and his wife, Suzie, at the 18th Annual Dick Vitale Gala, an event aimed at raising funds for the V Foundation’s fight against cancer.
Following his departure from ESPN in 2013, Schwab joined Fox Sports, contributing as a writer and consultant for Sports Jeopardy! This allowed him to continue his love for sports trivia while remaining an active part of the sports broadcasting community.
