CBS honors Greg Gumbel's legacy during March Madness coverage
Alona Yadav | Mar 21, 2025, 21:16 IST
( Image credit : AP )
CBS is broadcasting the NCAA Tournament without longtime host Greg Gumbel, who passed away from cancer in December. Tributes have been made to honor Gumbel's 25-year legacy, with broadcasters wearing gold microphone pins and reflecting on his impact throughout the tournament.
This year's NCAA Tournament coverage carries a poignant absence as CBS broadcasts its first March Madness without longtime host Greg Gumbel, who died from cancer in December at age 78. The network and its broadcasters have been navigating the emotional void left by the man who welcomed viewers to the tournament for 25 years.
"It's very sad," Ian Eagle told USA TODAY Sports. "He just had a major impact on the people at our network and people that work this event."
Eagle, who is calling games through the Final Four this year, shared that he's found himself revisiting old text conversations with Gumbel, remembering both his kindness and professionalism since they first met when Eagle joined CBS in 1998.
Clark Kellogg, who spent over two decades beside Gumbel as a studio analyst, expressed his profound sense of loss during tournament coverage.
"He was such an integral part of what the public got to experience and what we got to experience as his colleagues and friends," Kellogg said. "I got to spend 20-plus years next to him and the seat that he sat in as the host of the road to the Final Four. There's no way you aren't impacted by who he was as a man and as a broadcaster."
CBS has incorporated several tributes throughout its tournament coverage. On Selection Sunday, the network aired a memorial video while music from The Rolling Stones, Gumbel's favorite band, played in the studio. Off-camera crew members wore Rolling Stones shirts, and host Adam Zucker acknowledged the honor of filling Gumbel's seat.
The remembrances continued into the tournament's first round on Thursday, with host Ernie Johnson and the broadcast team reflecting on Gumbel's legacy. Kellogg described the experience as "sad and surreal." All broadcasters are wearing gold microphone pins on their suits to honor Gumbel throughout the tournament, and each commentary team has taken time to speak about his impact.
"He was synonymous with this event because of the excellence in which he did his job for all of these years," Eagle noted.
Though Gumbel had stepped away from hosting duties during last year's tournament, his permanent absence has deeply affected his colleagues. Kellogg, who sat to Gumbel's left for decades, said simply, "I miss him terribly."
What made Gumbel an icon, according to Kellogg, was his genuine appreciation for the NCAA Tournament and its special moments. His spirit and class elevated everyone around him and enhanced their ability to showcase the tournament.
"My life has been enhanced," Kellogg reflected. "I trust that I'm better in my role as a person, but also in my role as a broadcaster, because I got a chance to be in his orbit for the years that I did."
"It's very sad," Ian Eagle told USA TODAY Sports. "He just had a major impact on the people at our network and people that work this event."
Eagle, who is calling games through the Final Four this year, shared that he's found himself revisiting old text conversations with Gumbel, remembering both his kindness and professionalism since they first met when Eagle joined CBS in 1998.
Clark Kellogg, who spent over two decades beside Gumbel as a studio analyst, expressed his profound sense of loss during tournament coverage.
"He was such an integral part of what the public got to experience and what we got to experience as his colleagues and friends," Kellogg said. "I got to spend 20-plus years next to him and the seat that he sat in as the host of the road to the Final Four. There's no way you aren't impacted by who he was as a man and as a broadcaster."
CBS has incorporated several tributes throughout its tournament coverage. On Selection Sunday, the network aired a memorial video while music from The Rolling Stones, Gumbel's favorite band, played in the studio. Off-camera crew members wore Rolling Stones shirts, and host Adam Zucker acknowledged the honor of filling Gumbel's seat.
The remembrances continued into the tournament's first round on Thursday, with host Ernie Johnson and the broadcast team reflecting on Gumbel's legacy. Kellogg described the experience as "sad and surreal." All broadcasters are wearing gold microphone pins on their suits to honor Gumbel throughout the tournament, and each commentary team has taken time to speak about his impact.
"He was synonymous with this event because of the excellence in which he did his job for all of these years," Eagle noted.
Though Gumbel had stepped away from hosting duties during last year's tournament, his permanent absence has deeply affected his colleagues. Kellogg, who sat to Gumbel's left for decades, said simply, "I miss him terribly."
What made Gumbel an icon, according to Kellogg, was his genuine appreciation for the NCAA Tournament and its special moments. His spirit and class elevated everyone around him and enhanced their ability to showcase the tournament.
"My life has been enhanced," Kellogg reflected. "I trust that I'm better in my role as a person, but also in my role as a broadcaster, because I got a chance to be in his orbit for the years that I did."