Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel, 78, passes away after battling cancer.
Greg Gumbel, a veteran sports broadcaster who spent over 50 years in the industry, passed away at 78 after a courageous battle with cancer, his family confirmed on Friday.
In a joint statement shared by CBS Sports, Gumbel's wife, Marcy, and daughter, Michelle, said, "He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness with stoicism, grace, and positivity, just as he did with everything in life."
They added, "He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration, and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in sports broadcasting, and his iconic voice will never be forgotten."
Gumbel, known for his prominent role as a host for CBS’ NCAA Tournament coverage, had been a mainstay at CBS since his return from NBC in 1998. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA tournament since 1997 due to health issues, later revealing it was due to family health matters.
In 2001, Gumbel made history as the first Black announcer to call play-by-play of a major sports championship when he covered Super Bowl XXXV for CBS. He continued to make an impact, including hosting CBS' NFL studio show The NFL Today and calling NFL games until 2022.
CBS Sports president David Berson praised Gumbel's groundbreaking career: "A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time."
Before his long tenure with CBS, Gumbel helped establish ESPN's early credibility, serving as an anchor for SportsCenter and contributing to the network’s NBA coverage. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro also expressed deep sadness at his passing, remembering Gumbel as "a highly accomplished and pioneering figure in sports broadcasting."
Gumbel also hosted the Winter Olympics for CBS in 1992 and 1994 and served as host for NBC's coverage of the 1996 Summer Olympics. His contributions to Major League Baseball coverage, figure skating, and football solidified his place as one of the sportscasting industry's greats.
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His brother, Bryant Gumbel, also a renowned broadcaster, and many colleagues expressed their heartfelt condolences following his passing. Clark Kellogg, a CBS Sports analyst, shared, "What a gift to be touched by such a good man and partner."
In addition to his broadcasting achievements, Gumbel was actively involved in philanthropy, serving on the board of trustees for the March of Dimes and supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for over 16 years.
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