Roy Firestone

Roy Firestone is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster widely regarded as one of the most gifted interviewers in sports media history. Over a career built around ESPN's “Up Close,” he conducted more than 5,000 interviews with the biggest names in sports and entertainment, earning praise from Sports Illustrated as “TV's most compelling interviewer” and from Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Jim Murray as simply “the best interviewer — period.”

Beyond the broadcast booth, Firestone has spent decades quietly supporting causes tied to children's welfare, education, and health, and has used his platform and motivational speaking career to encourage others facing adversity. His commitment to youth-focused community service is what first caught Westcoast Sports Associates' attention.

In 1996, WSA honored Roy Firestone as the first-ever recipient of what was then its top community service award. He subsequently joined WSA's leadership as Honorary Chairman, and the organization renamed its highest honor the Roy Firestone Award in recognition of the standard he set — leadership, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to giving back. Firestone was honored a second time in 2025, when WSA marked its 30th anniversary by once again recognizing the man the award is named for.