Greg Gumbel, born on May 3, 1946, in New Orleans, Louisiana, was a pioneering American sportscaster renowned for his extensive career in sports broadcasting. He passed away on December 27, 2024, at the age of 78, after battling cancer.
Gumbel’s career spanned over five decades, during which he became the first African-American announcer to call play-by-play for a major U.S. sports championship, covering Super Bowl XXXV in 2001. His versatility saw him host and announce events across the NFL, NCAA basketball, and the Olympics, working with networks such as CBS, NBC, ESPN, and MSG.
On March 16, 2025, during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show, CBS paid tribute to Gumbel’s legacy. The broadcast opened with a montage celebrating his 25 years as the face of the NCAA tournament on CBS, featuring clips of Gumbel expressing his love for the event. The segment was accompanied by the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up,” honoring Gumbel’s affection for the band. Studio host Adam Zucker, alongside analysts Jay Wright, Clark Kellogg, and Seth Davis, shared their memories of Gumbel and wore Rolling Stones T-shirts in his honor.
Gumbel’s enduring impact on sports broadcasting is remembered for his professionalism, grace, and the path he paved for future generations of broadcasters.