SAM CHAMPION is an American weather anchor who is best known for his combined 25-year career on the ABC flagship station WABC-TV and Good Morning America. He formerly co-anchored AMHQ: America’s Morning Headquarters and 23.5 Degrees With Sam Champion on The Weather Channel.

Champion worked at WPSD-TV in Paducah, Kentucky, and WJKS (later WCWJ) in Jacksonville, Florida. He became a weather forecaster for WABC-TV’s Eyewitness News in New York City in 1988. He went on Good Morning America at a salary in 2004 of $1.5 million per year. In April 2008 he debuted as host of Sea Rescue, an educational and informational program in Litton’s Weekend Adventure that focuses on the rescue, rehabilitation, and in many instances release of animals back into wildlife.

He had occasionally appeared on Live with Kelly and Ryan, the daily talk show produced by WABC-TV, and CNN’s Larry King Live. He often begins his 30-second weathercasts by saying, “Let’s get to the boards.” His catchphrase when breaking for weather reports from local ABC stations is, “That’s the weather around the nation. Here’s what you can expect this morning.”

Immediately following his departure from GMA, it was announced that Champion would join The Weather Channel to host his own morning show, titled America’s Morning Headquarters which debuted in March 2014. In September 2015, it was revealed that Champion would leave AMHQ to serve as a contributor to its primetime programs. In December 2016, Champion and The Weather Channel decided not to renew their contract. As a result, Champion left the company in December 2016.

He returned to ABC as a fill-in weather forecaster on Good Morning America during the maternity leave of Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee, his replacement. In May 2019, it was announced that Champion would be returning to WABC-TV’s morning and noon newscasts and contributing to ABC News, beginning June 2019.

Champion is active in many charitable organizations in the New York City area. He was the Grand Marshal of the Multiple Sclerosis Society Fall Bike Tour, the chairman of the 25th annual March of Dimes NYC WalkAmerica, and master of ceremonies of “Stopping AIDS Together,” a part of Sunday by the Bay. He hosted the New York City Anti-Violence Project’s 2002 “Courage Awards,” along with movie critic Frank DeCaro.

Champion and his partner of several years, artist Rubem Robierb, were married in December 2012.