Semra Hunter
{{Short description|American journalist}}
{{infobox person
|name = Semra Hunter
|image = File:Semra Hunter hosts the FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA Preliminary Draw at FIFA HQ in Zurich Switzerland.jpg
|image_size = 240px
|caption = Semra Hunter hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 UEFA Preliminary Draw in Zurich, Switzerland
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|3|11}}
|birth_place = Los Angeles, California, United States
|death_date =
|death_place =
|nationality = American
|education = Mira Costa High School
|alma_mater = University of California
|occupation =
{{Plainlist|
- Sports Broadcast
- Journalist Event Host
}}
}}
Semra Hunter (born March 11, 1987), is an American broadcast journalist and expert in Spanish football.{{cite news |url= https://thesetpieces.com/latest-posts/vox-box-semra-hunter/|title=Vox Box Semra Hunter|publisher=The Set Pieces|access-date=22 December 2024}}
Early life and education
Hunter grew up in Los Angeles and was into football from an early age.{{cite news |url= https://thesetpieces.com/latest-posts/vox-box-semra-hunter/|title=Vox Box Semra Hunter|publisher=The Set Pieces|access-date=22 December 2024}} Hunter harbored ambitions of becoming a professional footballer, but a bad injury at 16 put her on a different life path. Hunter graduated from Mira Costa High School in 2005.{{cite news |url= https://www.hercampus.com/school/uc-berkeley/campus-celeb-semra-hunter/|title=Campus Celeb Semra Hunter|publisher=Her Campus|access-date=22 December 2024}}
After studying international relations at the University of California, Berkeley, where she did her bachelor's degree in peace and conflict studies, Hunter studied at the Real Madrid International School, where she did her master's degree in communication and sports journalism.{{cite news |url= https://ullekhnp.com/2022/12/05/a-kick-ass-world-cup-anchor-rocks-earns-praise-in-india/|title=A kick-ass world cup anchor rocks, earns praise in India|publisher=Ullekh NP|access-date=22 December 2024}}{{cite news |url= https://thesetpieces.com/latest-posts/vox-box-semra-hunter/|title=Vox Box Semra Hunter|publisher=The Set Pieces|access-date=22 December 2024}}
Hunter was a junior Olympic volleyball champion.{{cite news |url= https://ullekhnp.com/2022/12/05/a-kick-ass-world-cup-anchor-rocks-earns-praise-in-india/|title=A kick-ass world cup anchor rocks, earns praise in India|publisher=Ullekh NP|access-date=22 December 2024}}
Career
Hunter began her broadcasting journey as an intern for Al-Jazeera Sport before being scouted to join Real Madrid TV for two and a half years. She then moved to Istanbul for two years as a sports anchor and correspondent for Beyond the Game’s daily sports news programme. In 2018 she returned to Spain, and started working for La Liga TV.{{cite news |url= https://thesetpieces.com/latest-posts/vox-box-semra-hunter/|title=Vox Box Semra Hunter|publisher=The Set Pieces|access-date=22 December 2024}}
Hunter developed a niche in Spanish football as a multi-lingual presenter, reporter and event host, and has also hosted coverage for the Champions League, World Cup and European Championships for major international broadcast networks.{{cite news |url= https://cityscapeglobal.com/semra-hunter|title=Semra Hunter|publisher=CityScape Global|access-date=22 December 2024}}
Hunter is the face of Spanish football as an expert for the likes of BBC,{{cite news |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0j9hh8f|title=Spain's superstar forward Lamine Yamal 'is incredibly special'|publisher=BBC|access-date=22 December 2024}}{{cite news |url= https://art19.com/shows/men-in-blazers/episodes/5363552c-375a-4a41-a2c9-8f95f590d195|title=VAMOS with Herc Gomez & Guest Semra Hunter, Presented by Bud Light 09/14/23publisher=Art19|access-date=22 December 2024}} the Guardian,{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/audio/2024/jul/10/spain-surge-into-euro-2024-final-and-lamine-yamal-takes-breath-away-football-daily|title=Spain surge into Euro 2024 final and Lamine Yamal takes breath away – Football Daily|publisher=Guardian|access-date=22 December 2024}} Sky Sports,{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/video/30998/13133298/kylian-mbappe-how-will-kylian-mbappe-fit-into-the-real-madrid-lineup|title=Kylian Mbappe: How will Kylian Mbappe fit into the Real Madrid lineup?|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=22 December 2024}} Talksport,{{cite news |url=https://talksport.com/football/2203204/jude-bellingham-real-madrid-barcelona-laliga-england/|title=‘He hasn’t woken up’ – Why Jude Bellingham is not the same player for Real Madrid this season|publisher=Talksport|access-date=22 December 2024}} CNN,{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/sports/2023/08/28/exp-spain-football-kiss-semra-hunter-intv-082811aseg1-cnni-sport.cnn|title=Why presenter thinks Spanish football chief's unwanted kiss with player is 'tip of the iceberg'|publisher=CNN|access-date=22 December 2024}} ITV,{{cite news |url=https://worldsoccertalk.com/podcast/an-american-voice-in-laliga-semra-hunter-interview-20230511-WST-432447.html|title=Semra Hunter interview: An American voice in LaLiga|publisher=World Soccer Talk|access-date=22 December 2024}} and Channel 4.{{cite news |url=https://www.channel4.com/news/its-not-just-about-the-kiss-itself-its-about-something-bigger-says-football-journalist-semra-hunter|title=‘It’s not just about the kiss itself, it’s about something bigger’ says football journalist Semra Hunter|publisher=Channel 4|access-date=22 December 2024}}
(Links Needed) Semra most recently co-hosted Red Bull Faster, a collaborative event between Red Bull and Trackmania streamer Wirtual.
Hunter was the host for FIFA’s UEFA Preliminary Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26.{{cite news |url=https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/organisation/news/legendary-quintet-draw-assistants-uefa-preliminary-draw-fifa-world-cup-26|title=Legendary quintet named as draw assistants for UEFA Preliminary Draw for the FIFA World Cup 26™|publisher=FIFA|access-date=22 December 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.goal.com/en/lists/fifa-name-uefa-preliminary-draw-for-the-fifa-world-cup-26/blt1cfb2f3fcaeb8461|title=FIFA name legendary quintet for UEFA preliminary draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026|publisher=Goal|access-date=22 December 2024}}
Personal
Hunter speaks four languages: Spanish, English, Turkish and Catalan.{{cite news |url= https://www.hercampus.com/school/uc-berkeley/campus-celeb-semra-hunter/|title=Campus Celeb Semra Hunter|publisher=Her Campus|access-date=22 December 2024}}