Overview

• Rudy Martzke, a trailblazer in sports journalism and longtime USA Today columnist, passed away on Wednesday at age 82 due to complications from pneumonia.
• Martzke's influential column, launched in 1982, was the first of its kind to focus solely on sports media, running until his retirement in 2005.
• Known for his sharp critiques and industry insights, Martzke's work influenced careers and decisions across the sports broadcasting world while also drawing both praise and criticism from his subjects.
• Before his journalism career, Martzke worked in sports public relations, notably hiring a young Bob Costas as a radio announcer for the ABA's Spirits of St. Louis in 1974.
• Martzke is remembered as a mentor, industry legend, and innovator who helped transform how fans engaged with sports media, leaving a lasting legacy in the field.