Veteran journalist and sportscaster Bryant Gumbel is hospitalized in New York City after a reported medical emergency Monday night, according to TMZ and PEOPLE.
The 77-year-old broadcasting icon is known for his pioneering work on NBC’s Today show and HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. He was transported from his Manhattan apartment building just after 9 p.m. Monday, TMZ reported. Witnesses said first responders were seen escorting Gumbel on a gurney into an ambulance. He was then taken to a nearby hospital, where he remains under medical care as of Tuesday afternoon.
A family member confirmed to TMZ that Gumbel is “okay,” but declined to share further details about his condition or the nature of the emergency. As of Tuesday evening, representatives for the journalist had not issued any official statements regarding his hospitalization.
Broadcasting Legend with a Historic Career
Gumbel’s sudden hospitalization comes as a shock to colleagues and admirers across the broadcasting world. He has long been regarded as one of television’s most respected journalists. A four-time Emmy Award winner, he co-hosted NBC’s Today for 15 years beginning in 1982. He worked alongside Jane Pauley and Katie Couric, helping to transform the morning news format into a mix of serious reporting and accessible conversation.
“Bryant brought a journalist’s curiosity to a time of day that wasn’t always known for hard news,” Pauley once reflected in an interview with NBC News. “He made viewers think before they started their day.”
After leaving Today, Gumbel joined CBS News as a broadcaster in 1997. But his greatest journalistic impact arguably came through Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, which premiered on HBO in 1995. The acclaimed monthly series became known for hard-hitting, socially conscious reporting on issues that extended beyond the playing field. Coverage ranged from doping scandals and athlete activism to labor rights and mental health in sports.
When Real Sports concluded its 29-season run in December 2023, Gumbel reflected on the program’s legacy in an interview with PEOPLE, saying, “The show tried to do some things in sports journalism that no one else was doing. I think it was one of the few avenues that could honestly explore issues without having to worry about ratings or sponsorships or relationships.”
Personal Loss and Health Challenges
Gumbel’s hospitalization comes less than a year after the death of his older brother, Greg Gumbel. Greg was a longtime CBS and NFL broadcaster who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 78 after a battle with cancer. The brothers were among the few Black journalists to achieve household-name status in network sports broadcasting. They blazed trails for diversity and representation in the industry.
In a family statement shared at the time of Greg’s death, his widow, Marcy, and daughter Michelle wrote, “Greg approached his illness with stoicism, grace, and positivity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration, and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry, and his iconic voice will never be forgotten.”
Bryant Gumbel himself has also faced previous health struggles. In 2009, he revealed he had undergone surgery to remove a malignant tumor from his lung after a cancer diagnosis. “They opened up my chest and took a malignant tumor,” Gumbel said at the time on Live! With Regis and Kelly. “They took part of my lung. Enough aggressive cells had escaped the tumor that it warranted some treatment. I went through that and it’s done now.”
An Enduring Influence in Journalism
Throughout his five-decade career, Gumbel has earned widespread respect for his incisive storytelling, calm demeanor, and insistence on journalistic integrity. Real Sports earned over 30 Sports Emmy Awards during his tenure. The show was often compared to 60 Minutes for its in-depth reporting style.
Colleagues have described him as both a perfectionist and a mentor. “He raised the bar for everyone who worked with him,” said former Real Sports correspondent Soledad O’Brien in a 2023 interview. “Bryant never accepted easy answers. He wanted context, accountability, and humanity.”
Though details of his current hospitalization remain limited, news of Gumbel’s condition has prompted an outpouring of well-wishes from fans and fellow broadcasters. Social media tributes are filled with messages honoring his trailblazing work and wishing for his full recovery.
“Bryant Gumbel is one of the greats,” wrote ESPN analyst Jay Harris on X. “He made sports journalism smarter, sharper, and more honest. Praying he bounces back strong.”
As of Tuesday evening, Gumbel remains under medical observation. No timetable has been given for his release. For now, fans and the broadcasting community await updates. They continue to express gratitude for a journalist whose work has shaped modern television.
