It is the end of an era. Greg Gumbel, a sports broadcasting legend, died on December 27, 2024, at 78. Gumbel’s long career spanned over 50 years with two stints at CBS Sports and a short stay at NBC Sports in between. Gumbel covered the NFL and MLB but is perhaps most closely associated with NCAA College Basketball’s March Madness Selection Sunday.
This March Madness desk was the best RIP Greg Gumbel pic.twitter.com/Z6UabbPAHd
— The Franchise (@The_Franchise19) December 27, 2024
Gumbel was not present for the 2024 Selection Sunday citing family health issues. It was the first time since 1997 that he was not there, and many including longtime colleague Clark Kellogg felt his absence.
Greg Gumbel’s family shared the sad news. They said that he fought a valiant battle against cancer. Typical of Greg Gumbel, he did not want to be the story so he kept his health issues close to the vest.
A statement from the family of Greg Gumbel pic.twitter.com/oAkSrW8EtJ
— CBS Sports PR (@CBSSportsGang) December 27, 2024
Over the coming days, many will share their impressions of Gumbel. NFL Network’s Jamie Erdahl is among the first.
She wrote: “I will miss his stories and his warmth. He welcomes me with open arms and those around him learned so much by watching [him] operate as a broadcaster and a human. Love you Greg and I’ll miss you.”
Greg Gumbel is one half of the legendary Gumbel broadcasting family along with longtime Today anchor and journalist Bryant Gumbel. Bryant told his older brother Greg of a Chicago weekend sports opening when he was selling hospital supplies in 1973.
Greg was selling hospital supplies in Detroit in 1973 when his younger brother Bryant, working at KNBC in LA, told him of an opening for weekend sports at Chicago’s WMAQ.
He got the job & the rest is TV history.#RIP to a TV legend.
Prayers & love to Bryant & the Gumbel family. https://t.co/FHFPTVv42s pic.twitter.com/IyxQEi5W5S— Kevin D. Grüssing 🪷 (pronounced Grew-sing) (@KevDGrussing) December 27, 2024
