Greg Gumbel dead: CBS sportscaster was 78

Greg Gumbel, the longtime CBS sportscaster known for his versatility as a host and a play-by-play commentator, has died at the age of 78.

His death was confirmed in a statement from his wife, Marcy, and his daughter, Michelle.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” the statement reads. “He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity.”

Gumbel was a familiar on-air presence for football and basketball fans who tuned into CBS’ coverage of everything from in-season games to the March Madness tournament to the Super Bowl. At CBS, Gumbel became the first Black announcer to provide play-by-play for a major U.S. sports championship during Super Bowl XXXV in 2001.

Gumbel began his career as a sports announcer for WMAQ-TV in Chicago before moving to ESPN, where he anchored SportsCenter. During his time at East Coast-based MSG, he provided play-by-play for NBA games, announced New York Knicks games, hosted pregame and postgame coverage of New York Yankees games, and led the first morning radio show on WFAN. 

Although Gumbel is best known for his work with CBS, his tenure there was broken by a five-year stretch at NBC. From 1994 through 1998, he covered the MLB, the NBA, and the NFL, and he anchored the network’s daytime coverage of the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta.

At CBS, Gumbel provided coverage of football, basketball, baseball, and NASCAR, and he hosted the morning broadcasts of the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, and the primetime broadcast of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games in Lillehammer, Norway.

Gumbel told EW in 1994 that he attributed his success in part to his preparation prior to hitting the air, and that his homework included weekly meetings with CBS researchers. “They’re my guardian angels,” Gumbel said at the time. ”I’m trying to get them T-shirts that say, ‘I saved Greg’s ass in Norway.”’

The Chicago native hosted The NFL Today for CBS alongside Terry Bradshaw, and he led the network’s coverage of the NCAA’s March Madness tournament from 1998 through 2023, only stepping away in 2024 for “family health issues.”

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Friday’s statement from Marcy and Michelle Gumbel highlights Gumbel’s contributions to the field of sportscasting.

“He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” the statement reads. “Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him.”

David Berson, the president of CBS Sports, said in a statement that the network is devastated by Gumbel’s death.

“There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television,” Berson wrote. “He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague. A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time.”

 Gumbel is also survived by his younger brother, broadcast journalist Bryant Gumbel.