CBS sports channel turned 78
Greg Gumbel, a CBS sports broadcaster covering the NFL and college basketball for more than two decades, died Friday of cancer. He was 78.
CBS Sports shared a statement from his wife Marcy and daughter Michelle Gumbel, who said: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He passed away peacefully surrounded by lots of love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness as you would expect: with stoicism, grace and positivity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication for more than 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcasting industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten. Greg’s memory will be forever cherished by his family, dear friends, colleagues and all who loved him.”
Greg Gumbel, the older brother of TV journalist Bryant Gumbel, started at a local station in Chicago before joining ESPN in 1979, the year it launched. He anchored “SportsCenter” and did play-by-play for NBA games. He earned a local Emmy Award for hosting programs for the Madison Square Garden Network. In 1989, he moved to CBS Sports, where he announced NFL and college basketball games and hosted “The NFL Today.”
Gumbel briefly moved to NBC, then returned to CBS and became part of the Net’s March Madness coverage and announced NFL games. Earlier this year, he stepped down from his March Madness coverage at CBS.
He was born in New Orleans, grew up in Chicago and graduated from Loras College.
David Berson, president of CBS Sports, said in a statement: “The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a finer gentleman on all of television. He was loved and respected by those of us who had the honor of calling him a friend and colleague. A great broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time. He was a trusted and welcoming voice for fans in many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four. Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow. It is an extremely sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and the entire sports community. We will miss Greg very much and extend our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, daughter Michelle and his entire family.”
His friend and former colleague, producer Dan Forer, wrote on X: “The holidays should be filled with joy, but they are often mixed with sadness. I just learned that my dear friend Greg Gumbel has passed away. Greg was the best announcer a young producer/director could have… In addition to being a true professional, he was also a kind, wonderful man. May his memory be a precious blessing to his family and friends.”
