In the fast-paced world of media, Chris Gunther stands out as a shining example of talent, determination, and versatility. Hailing from Youngstown, Ohio, Chris has carved out a niche as a multi-talented on-air personality, sports reporter, and entertainment journalist. His journey from a college radio host to a respected voice in the industry is nothing short of inspiring.
A proud graduate of Youngstown State University, Chris earned his bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications, setting the foundation for his dynamic career. While at YSU, he honed his craft on Rookery Radio Real College Radio from 2013 to 2017, where his talents quickly stood out. Chris co-hosted the popular “KT & CG Show!” before landing his own program, “The Chris Gunther Show!” There, he showcased his ability to connect with audiences and interviewed gospel music legends like Kirk Franklin, Deitrick Haddon, Fred Hammond, and many others.
Beyond music, Chris explored his passion for sports journalism, covering YSU men’s and women’s basketball for two years. His dedication earned him several accolades, including being recognized in the Who’s Who of YSU.
Breaking into the Big Leagues
Chris’s ambition didn’t stop after college. In 2018, just months after graduating, he received the opportunity of a lifetime: covering the Stellar Awards in Las Vegas. That same year, he revived “The Chris Gunther Show!” as a freelance reporter, bringing his signature style to a broader audience. Since then, he has conducted over 500 interviews, solidifying his reputation as a master conversationalist.
Chris’s portfolio reads like a who’s who of sports, entertainment, and media. From sports heavyweights like Stephen A. Smith, Chris Broussard, and Cari Champion, to Hollywood icons like Mo’Nique, Morris Chestnut, and Megan Good, his ability to connect with people from all walks of life sets him apart. He’s also covered press conferences for major platforms like BET, TV One, and Cleo TV, further expanding his reach.
A Passion for Sports
As a lifelong sports enthusiast, Chris has seamlessly blended his love for athletics with his media career. He’s interviewed NBA and NFL legends like Michael Vick, Dominique Wilkins, and Tim Hardaway, as well as covered NFL training camps for stars like Odell Beckham Jr. and Myles Garrett.
In 2021, Chris took his talents courtside as the in-game host for the Cleveland Charge, the G League affiliate of the Cleveland Cavaliers. His energy and charisma earned him the honor of hosting the first-ever NBA G-League Next Gem Game in 2022. That same year, he was promoted to sideline reporter for the Charge, a role he continues to excel in.
Building a Legacy
What sets Chris apart is not just his impressive resume, but his commitment to telling stories that matter. Whether he’s speaking with entertainment icons, sports legends, or up-and-coming stars, his genuine curiosity and professionalism shine through.
Chris Gunther is more than a media personality—he’s a trailblazer who continues to redefine what it means to be a versatile talent in the industry. With every interview, game, and event, Chris leaves a lasting impression, proving that hard work, passion, and authenticity are the keys to success.
As Chris continues to make waves, one thing is clear: his story is only just beginning. Stay tuned, because with Chris Gunther, the best is yet to come.
After graduating, you transitioned into freelance reporting. What were some of the biggest challenges you faced in building your career independently, and how did you overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges I faced in building my career independently were landing interviews and building good relationships within the industry. The biggest way I overcame that challenge was to stay consistent in my attempts to land those interviews. Even though I had a very successful college radio career at Youngstown State University, I knew that wouldn’t last forever simply because I was getting ready to graduate however, I was confident in my ability to still have success.
As a freelancer, networking is critical. How have you built relationships with high-profile figures like Stephen A. Smith, Mo’Nique, and Rich Paul, and how have those connections influenced your career?
The best way I built those relationships with those high-profile figures was simply by having a strong work ethic while also being a good person. One of the best pieces of advice someone told me, “Work hard and have a relentless work ethic but also be nice and don’t be a jerk.” While booking any of those high-profile figures wasn’t easy at all, I remained consistent and persistent in my efforts to not only interview them but build solid relationships to the point where whenever they hear my name, they can attest to my work ethic and my character.
What strategies did you use to grow “The Chris Gunther Show” into a recognizable platform with over 600 interviews? How do you ensure it stands out in such a competitive industry?
The best strategy I used to grow my show was simply by promoting it on my social media handles along with getting as many quality interviews as possible. We live in a time now where people don’t have long attention spans. My goal was to capture their attention span immediately once they saw my work and keep them engaged to want to check out more of my work. The biggest way I made sure to stand out was through my presentation. For example, in my first episodes my audio quality wasn’t the best however one of my best friends saw what I was doing and said, “If you’re going to do this, you’ve got to do it the right way” and then handed me some money to get some microphones. A few months later, my wife who was my fiancé at the time, got me some more microphones to improve the sound even more. Once my audio presentation was better, my on-camera presentation improved. In the first few episodes I would wear T-shirts, jeans, baseball cap to the back and things of that nature, however once I started interviewing more celebrities, I began wearing suits and ties. I’ve worn them so much now to the point where it’s become something I’m known for.
One of the challenges of freelancing is staying consistent when opportunities aren’t guaranteed. How do you stay motivated and maintain momentum during slower periods?
The biggest way I stay motivated and maintain momentum during slower periods is by taking things one day at a time and constantly reminding myself it’s a marathon and not a sprint. Anything that’s considered great was never established through hard wishing, only through hard work. Since I have a sports background, the analogy I like to use whenever a slow period is happening is to remember that even the great ones like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Steph Curry etc. have all had shooting slumps yet it never stopped them from shooting. All of them kept shooting their shots and bounced back, which is something I’ve done as well. I’m a shooter that will always shoot my shot.
What steps have you taken to establish your personal brand as both a media personality and sideline reporter? How do you ensure that your brand remains authentic and relatable?
The steps I’ve taken to establish my personal brand as a media personality and sideline reporter is to constantly stay prepared. There’s an old saying that goes “Stay ready so you won’t have to be ready.” That’s something I’ve always strived for along with being professional and on time. For example, as a sideline reporter, when it’s time to go on the air I have to know what I’m talking about, give some quick facts about the team or players and be energized as I do it. Things like that come through practice and preparation.
The way I’ve ensured my brand remains authentic and relatable is to continue being authentic and relatable. Whenever someone watches an interview I’ve done, seen a game I’ve covered or attended an event I’ve hosted I always want to come across as authentic and relatable as possible. There have been several occasions when someone who has either watched one of my interviews or watched a game I covered and come up to me in public or send me a message on social media saying, “I really enjoy listening to you because you’re authentic, relatable and easy to talk to.”
The media landscape is constantly evolving with new platforms and technologies. How have you adapted to these changes, especially as a freelancer in a competitive industry?
The best way I’ve adapted to these changes, especially in this competitive industry, is finding the angle that works best for me and sticking with it. For example, if I’m playing a “This or That” game with one of my guests and my viewers enjoy it, I’ll continue to do that for a few more episodes to make sure they continue to tune in.
Freelance media can be intimidating, especially when competing with large networks or covering high-profile events. Have you ever faced self-doubt, and if so, how did you push past it?
I’ve had plenty of moments of self-doubt simply because I’m human. There have been plenty of times when I’ve scrolled on social media and saw people my age or slightly younger covering high-profile events conducting interviews with some of the biggest names in the world and instantly some thoughts of self-doubt would creep into my head. All I could think of was “If I was just seen by the right person and given the right opportunity, I could do that too.” However, the best way I pushed past self-doubt was not to compare my journey to anyone else. I’ve been blessed to be on the red carpet with some of the best reporters and networks in the industry and I’ve held my own. In fact, there have been plenty of moments when other reporters from major networks have come up to me and say things like “I follow you on social media, you’re great at what you do” or “I respect your work ethic.” Hearing things like that keep me encouraged and remind me I’m on the right path.
Social media is a key tool for freelancers. How have platforms like Instagram or Facebook helped you build your brand and connect with your audience?
Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have truly helped me build my brand and connect with my audience simply from engagement. As a freelance, social media is critical to our success especially when used correctly. I’m speaking from experience those platforms have not only helped me land interviews but also helped me build relationships and connect with the right people.
What advice would you give to aspiring freelance media professionals who are trying to navigate the industry and establish themselves?
The best advice I would give them would be to enjoy the journey. While this industry isn’t an easy one to navigate, if you truly have a passion for it, you’ll love it. The next thing I would tell them is to know specifically what type of professional they’re aspiring to be. For example, I knew I had the gift of communication and interaction, therefore being on camera was right up my alley. From that point on I would study other great interviewers to see how they conduct interviews and then put my own twist to it. Another piece of advice is to get connected to the right people and build the right relationships, they’re extremely important to success.
As a freelancer, success often looks different for everyone. How do you define success for yourself, and what keeps you focused on your goals?
My level of success is to continue getting booked to cover events across and be treated fairly at those events like my other counterparts. I want to continue to land other interview opportunities with some of the biggest names in the industry. For example, whenever a celebrity, current or former athlete has something going on and their gearing up for their press tour, I want my name to always come up and they say, “We have to get Chris Gunther.” I also want to be one of the most respected and recognizable voices in this media space that allows people to tell their stories the way they want them to be told. The thing that keeps me focused on my goals is my relationship with God because without him I can’t do anything. Another next thing that keeps me focused is my wife, Shanell, because as a man having the right woman as your wife is critical to your success. As great as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, President Obama in their respective places, there’s no way they would be able to do what they do without Savannah, Ayesha & Michelle. The last thing that keeps me focused on my goal is this hunger I have to be the best that I can be. I know I haven’t reached my peak yet and I have ways to go, which excites me because if this is just the preview of what’s to come, I’m excited to see the main attraction.
What is something that people may not know about you?
Most people may not know this, I’m great at doing things behind the scenes to help others out. If I see someone stepping into this media space and I see they have potential to do something special, I’ll reach out to give them some pointers and things to avoid on their journey. While I know everyone is different and some people don’t mind figuring things out on their own, I feel it’s my obligation to help those on the rise especially because I know firsthand how challenging this industry is.
Visit Chris on his website: The Chris Gunther Show
Photo Credit: Jessica Morales & Mark Horning
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