As an advocate in the sports communications and media arena, Cheek steps up to do his part, including by securing press for the women of Fox Sports. He understands the impact—to viewers and the industry—of showing successful women in a traditionally male-dominated field. Cheek oversaw a publicity campaign supporting the 30th anniversary of “Fox NFL Sunday,” which has been the number one pregame show since its 1994 debut, and he’s already strategizing press efforts for the 2025 Super Bowl on FOX.
Advice I would give a recent graduate: The advice that took me a whole DECADE to realize: “It’s not WHO you KNOW, but WHO KNOWS you!” Saying you know a lot of people without having the necessary equity with those individuals to back it up can derail your career and possibly your reputation.
What nonprofit are you proud to champion? The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I was diagnosed with Leukemia in April of 2000 and went into remission in November of 2000. Since that time, I’ve supported this organization in their efforts to help patients who are diagnosed with blood cancers while staying in the forefront finding a cure.
Who is an unsung DEI hero and why? Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, Executive Vice President, Entertainment Diversity & Inclusion, West Coast for Paramount, is my unsung DEI hero. Since I met her in 2010, she has held a remarkable stance on diversity and Inclusion on every level. From the time we were PR practitioners for CBS’ most popular shows and specials, to her rise as a respected and honored leader in the industry, Tiffany has extended her support to the network in identifying persons of every race, ethnicity, and gender. An everlasting example is her work on the SHOWCASE, which is a highly produced hour of comedic digital shorts, sketches and music videos. Performers and writers of the SHOWCASE have gone on to appear and work on television shows and specials.
Who would play you in a movie about your life? Will Smith would play me in a movie about my life. From receiving 163 rejection letters from jobs I applied for my first couple of years out of college, to going on to work for the NFL (with four different teams) to excelling at a successful career with two broadcast networks in sports and entertainment. All of this while keeping a blood cancer at bay. I wouldn’t trade in my experiences for the world.