

Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer
Greg Gumbel, the older brother of Bryant Gumbel, began his career at CBS Sports in 1989 covering the NFL and college basketball.
Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died. He was 78 years old.
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gamble,” Gamble’s wife, Marcy, and his daughter, Michelle, announced in a statement. CBS SportsGamble worked as a broadcaster and host for decades. “He passed away peacefully surrounded by so much love after a courageous battle with cancer. Greg handled his illness as one would expect, with stoicism, grace and positivity.”
“He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcasting industry; his iconic voice will never be forgotten. Greg’s memory will forever be cherished by his family, dearest friends and colleagues,” the Gamble family continued. And everyone who loved him.”
The legendary broadcaster first got his start with CBS Sports in 1989, doing double duty as an NFL play-by-play announcer and in-studio host for college basketball, including the NCAA Tournament. CBS announced at the time that Gamble was not part of coverage of the 2024 NCAA Men’s Tournament earlier this year due to “family health issues.”
Gamble, the older brother of sportscaster Bryant Gamble, was born on May 3, 1946, in New Orleans and raised in Chicago. Gamble left a medical sales job for broadcasting after his brother informed him of an open sportscaster job in Chicago. Gamble had stints at WMAQ-TV in Chicago, the Madison Square Garden Network, ESPN and WFAN before landing at CBS Sports in October 1989.
Gamble quickly became a fixture at CBS Sports, hosting “The NFL Today” show alongside Terry Bradshaw from 1990 to 1993, including Super Bowl 26 in 1992. He also served as a broadcaster at times Peak of the network’s coverage of the 1994 Winter Olympics and co-anchor of CBS Sports’ weekday morning broadcasts of the 1992 Winter Olympics. Not only has he hosted various events, including CBS’s coverage of Daytona International Speedway in 1999, Gamble has even served as play-by-play announcer for the College World Series, Major League Baseball and college basketball.
“I like the variety,” Gamble said He said in December 2017. “I like the fact that I’m not always in the studio or I’m not always at the games, but March Madness is a really special event… It’s hectic but at the same time, I wouldn’t change places with anyone.”
Gamble worked at NBC Sports from 1994-98 before returning for his second stint with CBS Sports as studio host for the network’s March Madness coverage. He has also worked as a play-by-play announcer and host for the NFL. CBS Sports celebrated Gumbel’s 50th anniversary in broadcasting in 2022 and Gumbel signed a contract extension in March 2023 to allow him to continue March Madness coverage while away from NFL duties.
“The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel,” CBS Sports President and CEO David Pearson said in a statement. “There was no gentleman in all of television. He was loved and respected by those of us who had the honor of calling him a friend and colleague.”
Gamble became the first black play-by-play announcer to call a major sporting event in the US Championship when he called the Baltimore Ravens’ victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl 35 in 2000. He received the Pat Summerall Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting in 2007.
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