Greg Gumbel Dies at 78; Broadcasting Legend Anchored CBS' NFL, March Madness Coverage

Legendary sportscaster Greg Gumbel, whose voice became synonymous with CBS' long-standing NFL and NCAA men's basketball tournament coverage, has died of cancer. He was 78 years old.

Marcy and Michelle Gumbel, his wife and daughter, released a statement following his passing.

Gumbel was CBS' studio host for men's college basketball coverage from 1998-2024, most famously serving Selection Sunday's yearly voice as he revealed the annual tournament brackets. He also worked as a play-by-play commentator for CBS' NFL coverage from 1998-2003 and again from 2006-2002.

In addition, Gumbel is just one of four people to both host and call a Super Bowl. He hosted Super Bowls XXVI, XXX, and XXXII and called Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII. Dick Enberg and Al Michaels preceded him with those honors, and Jim Nantz became the fourth person to do so with his call of Super Bowl XLI.

Gumbel was born in New Orleans in 1946 and later grew up in Chicago. He graduated from Loras College in 1967 with a degree in English. Six years later, Gumbel got his first broadcasting job working for Chicago's NBC affiliate, WMAQ-TV, in 1973. He worked there for seven years before moving on to other networks, including ESPN, MSG Network and WFAN Radio in New York.

With ESPN, Gumbel served as a SportsCenter anchor and did play-by-play for NBA games. Gumbel was also a studio host for the New York Yankees pre- and postgame shows and hosted a morning show on WFAN.

Gumbel's first stint with CBS Sports was from 1989-1994. He notably hosted NFL Today from 1990-1993 and hosted Super Bowl XXVI in 1992. In addition, he was the network's co-anchor for the weekday morning broadcasts for the 1992 Winter Olympics and the anchor for the 1994 Winter Olympics' primetime broadcasts. Among other roles, Gumbel also called play-by-play for regular-season and postseason Major League Baseball and hosted the 1990 All-Star Game.

Gumbel moved to NBC Sports from 1994-98, notably working as the host of "The NFL on NBC" pregame show. He also hosted two Super Bowls for the network in 1996 and 1998. Gumbel continued to call baseball games, working as the play-by-play announcer on NBC's "Baseball Night in America" regular-season and postseason games. He also added national NBA games to his repertoire, working as a play-by-play announcer for "The NBA on NBC." Gumbel also worked the Summer Olympics, hosting daytime coverage of the 1996 Games in Atlanta.

In 1998, Gumbel headed back to CBS, which was his home for the remainder of his career. He served as CBS' top play-by-play announcer for NFL games from 1998-2003 before moving to the studio as the NFL Today host. Gumbel headed back to calling NFL play-by-play in 2006.

Away from the microphone, Gumbel involved himself in numerous charities, per his Paramount biography:

"Away from the studio, Gumbel enjoyed a 30-year relationship with the March of Dimes. Having completed the maximum two-six-year terms allowed as a member of the March of Dimes Board of Trustees, he continued to serve the organization for an additional 18 years as a member of the March of Dimes National Board of Advisors. And for 16 years, Gumbel has been a member of the Sports Council for St Jude's Children's Research Hospital, which provides direction and guidance for the mission of that organization."

In sum, Gumbel was a staple of American national sports coverage for decades, alongside his brother Greg, a fellow sportscaster and journalist who notably co-hosted NBC's Today for 15 years.

Many offered their fond remembrances and condolences after news of Gumbel's passing. Of note, CBS Sports President and CEO David Berson also released a statement, as did Major League Baseball.

A host of others did as well, including Magic Johnson.

Gumbel was an tremendously talented and versatile broadcaster who shined at numerous posts, and he will be deeply missed.