Legendary Sports Broadcaster Greg Gumbel Dies of Cancer at 78

Sportscaster Greg Gumbel is interviewed prior to the 2016 NCAA Men's Final Four at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, on April 1, 2016. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Longtime CBS Sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died of cancer at age 78, his family confirmed with the station on Friday.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband and father, Greg Gumbel,” his wife, Marcy, and daughter, Michelle, said in their statement on Friday. “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.”

“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,” they said. “Greg’s memory will forever be treasured by his family, dearest friends, colleagues and all who loved him.”

Gumbel was born on May 3, 1946, in New Orleans, grew up in Chicago, and played high school basketball at the DeLaSalle Institute. He completed a degree in English at Loras College and then pursued a career in broadcasting, which began with WMAQ-TV in Chicago.

Gumbel then worked with ESPN, MSG, and WFAN in New York before he became an NFL broadcaster with CBS in 1988. His work expanded to MLB, the NBA, college football, and NASCAR racing before his departure for the NBA in 1994 amid CBS losing its MLB and NFL contracts.

Gumbel’s work at NBC included MLB, NBA, Olympics, and NFL coverage between 1994 and 1998 when he returned to CBS. He became a central figure of the network’s NCAA Tournament coverage as the studio host and NFL coverage when the league returned to the network that same year.

Gumbel stepped away from NFL duties in 2023, but he planned to continue with the NCAA Tournament. He then missed March Madness over “family health issues” as The Athletic first reported at the time.

“The CBS Sports family is devastated by the passing of Greg Gumbel,” CBS Sports President and CEO David Berson said in a statement on Friday. “There has never been a finer gentleman in all of television. He was beloved and respected by those of us who had the honor to call him a friend and colleague.”

“A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” Berson continued.” He was a familiar and welcoming voice for fans across many sports, including the NFL and March Madness, highlighted by the Super Bowl and Final Four. Greg broke barriers and set the standard for others to follow.”

“We will miss Greg dearly, and send our deepest condolences to his wife Marcy, daughter Michelle, and his entire family.”

Gumbels’s awards included local Emmy Awards and the 2007 Pat Summerall Award for sports broadcasting.