Legendary CBS Sports Broadcaster Greg Gumbel Dies At 78

Legendary Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died at the age of 78.

Gumbel died after battling cancer.

Marcy Gumbel, in a statement, wrote, “He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer.”

She added, “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.”

During his broadcasting career, Gumbel worked at ESPN, NBC News and most notably at CBS.

Greg Gumbel, a veteran of CBS Sports who spent more than 50 years in sports broadcasting, has died of cancer at the age of 78, his family said Friday.

Read more: https://t.co/ExhMP5sqH7 pic.twitter.com/UZ7vSqbQTY

— ESPN (@espn) December 27, 2024

Here’s what ESPN reported:

Greg Gumbel, a veteran of CBS Sports who spent more than 50 years in sports broadcasting, has died of cancer at the age of 78, his family said Friday.

ADVERTISEMENT

“He passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer,” his wife, Marcy Gumbel, and daughter, Michelle Gumbel, said in a joint statement released by CBS Sports. “Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace and positivity.

“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.”

In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998.

He signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties.

In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship.

Greg Gumbel, legendary sports broadcaster, dead at 78 https://t.co/gydSLlOy9o pic.twitter.com/waYuoAaphj

— New York Post (@nypost) December 27, 2024

Here’s what Fox News reported:

Greg Gumbel, who broadcast the NFL on CBS and served as the network’s studio host for March Madness, has died at the age of 78.

Gumbel’s family said in a statement that Gumbel died after a bout with cancer.

“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,” Marcy and Michelle Gumbel wrote.

ADVERTISEMENT