Greg Gumbel, sports broadcast legend, dies at 78 after cancer battle

Longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel, 78, passed away after a battle with cancer, the network announced Friday in a statement from his wife and daughter.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” Marcy and Michelle Gumbel wrote. “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 became the first Black announcer to call play-by-play in a major sports championship for the 2001 Super Bowl, and he was the longstanding studio host for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. 

This past year, he missed his first March Madness since 1997 due to what he said were family health issues. 

“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 Gumbel family wrote on Friday. 

Gumbel first joined CBS Sports in 1988, but left in 1994 for NBC Sports where he covered the MLB and NFL, among other sports. He rejoined CBS in the late 90s. He also previously worked at ESPN. 

David Berson, the CEO and president of CBS Sports, said Gumbel "broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow" in the industry, describing him as "a tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller."

"There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television," Berson said in a statement. "He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague."

Professional and collegiate sports leagues teams, including the MLB, New England Patriots and NCAA, all also expressed their sympathy following the announcement of Gumbel’s death, highlighting his talent and kindness.

“Greg was warm, engaging, funny and always performed with class and dignity,” NCAA senior vice president of basketball Dan Gavitt wrote in a statement. “He was supremely talented, as evidenced by his work not only with college basketball, but with the NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, the Olympics, and the Men’s College World Series.” 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.