Longtime sports studio host Greg Gumbel will miss the NCAA men’s basketball tournament later this month due to “family health issues,” according to a report.
Richard Deitsch of The Athletic reported that Gumbel, 77, would not be in the studio for CBS during March Madness.
“Expect Ernie Johnson to spend more time in the studio,” Deitsch said. tweetedreferring to the host of “Inside the NBA”
CBS/WBD’s NCAA men’s basketball tournament broadcast assignments are typically announced this week, but here’s a little news:
Greg Gumbel will not participate in the tournament this year because he is dealing with family health issues.
Expect Ernie Johnson to spend more time in the studio.
– Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) March 12, 2024
Neither Gumbel nor CBS have commented on the report. It is unclear whether the family’s health issues involved Gumbel or a family member.
Gumbel began hosting CBS’s coverage of the tournament in 1998 and celebrated his 25th anniversary last year, Sports Illustrated reported.
He was the first black commentator to call a major league game, according to the magazine. He was behind the microphone during the Baltimore Ravens’ 34-7 victory over the New York Giants in Super Bowl XXXV.
He previously hosted “The NFL Today” on CBS from 1990 to 1993 and also “The NFL on NBC,” according to NBC Sports. Gumbel left his NFL announcing duties with CBS after signing a contract extension in March 2023, Sports Business Journal reported.
Gumbel is the older brother of Bryant Gumbel, another sportscaster who later served as co-host of “Today” for 15 years.
Sixty-eight teams will qualify for the 2024 NCAA men’s basketball tournament with seeding on Sunday, March 17. The tournament begins two days later with the First Four in Dayton, Ohio.
The first full day of the NCAA tournament will be March 21.
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