Greg Gumbel, a trailblazing sports broadcaster and longtime CBS sportscaster, passed away at 78 after a battle with cancer, his family announced on Friday. Gumbel was renowned for a career that spanned over five decades, including his historic achievement as the first Black announcer to provide play-by-play coverage for a major U.S. sports championship.
Career Highlights: Shattering Barriers and Setting New Standards
Greg Gumbel, the legendary CBS Sports anchor and commentator, has passed away at the age of 78.
His family confirmed the news in a heartfelt statement on Friday, saying:
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel. He peacefully passed away surrounded by love after a brave battle with cancer. Greg faced his illness with the same strength, grace, and positivity that defined his life.”
His family continued: “Greg leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, inspiration, and dedication, having spent more than 50 remarkable years in the sports broadcasting industry. His iconic voice will forever resonate in the hearts of those who knew him.”
“Greg’s memory will be cherished by his family, closest friends, colleagues, and all who had the privilege of witnessing his impact.” — Marcy & Michelle Gumbel
Throughout his illustrious career, Gumbel served as a play-by-play announcer and studio host for CBS Sports, following several years with NBC Sports. He captivated audiences with his coverage of events ranging from “The NFL Today” to multiple Super Bowls and Olympic Games.
“The CBS Sports family is heartbroken by the passing of Greg Gumbel. There has never been a more distinguished gentleman in television. He was deeply loved and respected by all of us who had the privilege of calling him a friend and colleague,” said David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports.
“Greg was a tremendous broadcaster and a gifted storyteller who led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking careers in sports broadcasting history,” said David Berson. “He became a familiar and welcoming voice for fans across various sports, including the NFL and March Madness, with unforgettable moments at the Super Bowl and Final Four.”
“Greg broke barriers and set the bar for others to follow. Today is a profoundly sad day for all of us at CBS Sports and for the entire sports community. We will miss him dearly and extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Marcy, daughter Michelle, and his entire family.”
Gumbel was born on May 3, 1946, in New Orleans and raised in Chicago. He graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1967. His younger brother, Bryant Gumbel, also achieved broadcasting fame as the host of NBC’s “Today” show and HBO’s “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.”
Greg Gumbel joined CBS Sports in 1989 after a successful career hosting and providing play-by-play commentary for the New York Knicks and New York Yankees on the Madison Square Garden Network, along with other MSGN programs that earned him a local Emmy Award. He also worked for ESPN, WMAQ-TV in Chicago, where he won two local Emmys, and WFAN Radio in New York City.
At CBS Sports, Gumbel became a fixture, hosting “The NFL Today,” the network’s NFL pre-game, halftime, and post-game show, from 1990-93 and again from 2004-05. He also hosted coverage of Super Bowls XXVI in 1992, XLVII in 2013, and Super Bowl 50 in 2016.
Gumbel was the primetime anchor for CBS’s coverage of the 1994 Winter Olympics and co-anchored the network’s weekday morning broadcasts of the 1992 Winter Games. He also served as a play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball’s regular season and post-season, hosted the 1990 MLB All-Star Game, and covered college football and the College World Series for several years.
“Greg truly was one of the greats. He had a light touch, a sharp wit, and everyone loved working with him,” said Lesley Visser, his longtime colleague at CBS Sports. “Greg brought an innate dignity to everything he did,” she told CBS News in an interview on Friday.
In 1994, Gumbel briefly left CBS for NBC Sports, where he served as the host of “The NFL on NBC” pre-game show and hosted NBC’s Super Bowl pre-game shows in 1996 and 1998.
Greg Gumbel hosted the pre-game show for the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and served as a play-by-play announcer on NBC’s “Baseball Night in America.” He also worked as a play-by-play announcer for “The NBA on NBC” and hosted NBC’s daytime coverage of the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
In 1998, Gumbel returned to CBS Sports as a host and play-by-play announcer for college basketball and “The NFL on CBS,” where he teamed with analyst Phil Simms for six seasons. He also called CBS’s coverage of Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII, making history as the first network broadcaster to both host and provide play-by-play for a Super Bowl.
Gumbel hosted “The NFL Today” for two seasons before returning to the booth to work with Dan Dierdorf for eight seasons, until 2013. In 2014, he served as host of “Inside the NFL” on SHOWTIME, alongside analysts Phil Simms, Boomer Esiason, Ed Reed, and Brandon Marshall. At CBS, Gumbel also provided play-by-play for college basketball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, NBA regular-season and playoff games, and College World Series championship games.
“The news of Greg Gumbel’s passing is heartbreaking,” wrote sportscaster Ernie Johnson, host of “Inside the NBA,” in a social media post. “It was an honor to share the March Madness desk with him. A pro’s pro and a gentleman of the highest order.”
Gumbel was honored with the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for excellence in sports broadcasting.
“Greg didn’t care about fame,” said Lesley Visser. “He cared about the people he worked with and the quality of his work.”
Basketball legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson also paid tribute, writing on X, “I’m saddened by the passing of longtime and legendary broadcaster and friend Greg Gumbel. Greg was an African-American pioneer.”
Beyond his broadcasting career, Gumbel was deeply committed to philanthropy. He served two six-year terms on the March of Dimes Board of Trustees and an additional 18 years on its National Board of Advisors. He was also a member of the Sports Council for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for 16 years, helping guide the organization’s mission.
Additionally, Gumbel was a Board of Regents member at his alma mater, Loras College, since 2009.