CBS Sports Honors Greg Gumbel with Emotional NCAA Tournament Tribute

The late broadcaster's legacy was celebrated with heartfelt reflections and symbolic gestures during the tournament's opening coverage.

Greg Gumbel, the longtime host of CBS's NCAA Tournament coverage, passed away in December 2024 at the age of 78 after battling cancer.
CBS Sports opened its 2025 NCAA Tournament coverage on March 20 with a moving tribute, including the music of Gumbel's favorite band, the Rolling Stones.
Colleagues such as Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Clark Kellogg shared emotional reflections on Gumbel's professionalism, kindness, and personal connections.
The tribute highlighted Gumbel's trailblazing career, his ability to cover multiple sports seamlessly, and his profound impact on the sports broadcasting community.
Fans and colleagues expressed their grief and admiration on social media, underscoring the significant void left by Gumbel's absence in the tournament and beyond.