Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Greg Gumbel

How Greg Gumbel built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Greg Gumbel is a prominent American television sportscaster, recognized for his long tenure with CBS Sports. A key milestone in his career was becoming the first African-American play-by-play announcer for a major U.S. sports championship, Super Bowl XXXV, in 2001. Until 2023, he was the studio host for CBS' men's college basketball coverage and a play-by-play broadcaster for the NFL on CBS, solidifying his position as a leading voice in American sports broadcasting.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1973: Joined WMAQ-TV in Chicago

In 1973, Greg Gumbel was informed by his brother Bryant about an audition for a sports announcer position at WMAQ-TV in Chicago. He got the job and worked there for seven years.

1988: Began work as NFL announcer for CBS

In 1988, Greg Gumbel's CBS career began with part-time work as an NFL announcer.

1989: Began announcing college basketball for CBS

In 1989, Gumbel began announcing college basketball games for CBS. Also in 1989, Gumbel served as host of the pregame and postgame shows for New York Yankees games.

1990: Hosted The NFL Today

In 1990, Greg Gumbel became the host of The NFL Today alongside Terry Bradshaw.

1992: Co-anchor for 1992 Winter Olympics

In 1992, Greg Gumbel co-anchored the weekday morning broadcasts of the Winter Olympics from Albertville, France.

1993: Hosted The NFL Today

In 1993, Greg Gumbel was still the host of The NFL Today alongside Terry Bradshaw.

1993: Announced 1993 American League Championship Series

In 1993, Gumbel provided play-by-play for the Major League Baseball's American League Championship Series alongside Jim Kaat.

1994: Joined NBC and hosted 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

In 1994, Gumbel moved to NBC after CBS lost the NFL and Major League Baseball broadcasting contracts. He hosted NBC's coverage of the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

1994: Prime time anchor for 1994 Winter Olympics

In 1994, Gumbel was the prime time anchor for the Winter Olympic Games from Lillehammer, Norway.

1995: Play-by-play for 1995 Major League Baseball National League Division Series and National League Championship Series

In 1995, Gumbel did play-by-play for the Major League Baseball National League Division Series and National League Championship Series, teaming with Joe Morgan on both occasions. He also hosted the 1995 World Championships of Figure Skating.

1996: Hosted NBC's daytime coverage of 1996 Summer Olympics

In 1996, Gumbel hosted NBC's daytime coverage of the Summer Olympics from Atlanta, Georgia.

1998: Returned to CBS as studio host for college basketball

After the 1998 broadcast of Super Bowl XXXII on NBC, Gumbel returned to CBS to serve as studio host for CBS's coverage of college basketball, including the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

1998: Lead announcer for NFL on CBS

In 1998, Gumbel joined the NFL on CBS broadcast team as the lead announcer with Phil Simms.

1999: Studio Host for Daytona 500 and Pepsi 400

In 1999, Greg Gumbel served as a studio host for CBS' coverage of the Daytona 500 and Pepsi 400.

2001: Announced Super Bowl XXXV

In 2001, Gumbel became the first African-American announcer to call play-by-play of a major sports championship in the United States when he announced Super Bowl XXXV for the CBS network.

2003: Lead announcer for NFL on CBS

Between 1998 and 2003, Gumbel was the lead announcer for the NFL on CBS, calling Super Bowls XXXV and XXXVIII.

2004: Host of The NFL Today

For the 2004 NFL season, Gumbel traded positions with Jim Nantz, becoming the host of The NFL Today.

2005: Replaced as host of The NFL Today

At the end of the 2005 NFL season, Gumbel was replaced as studio host of The NFL Today by James Brown. Gumbel then returned to the broadcast booth.

2013: Worked alongside Dan Dierdorf until retirement

Gumbel returned to the broadcast booth as the No. 2 play-by-play man, replacing Dick Enberg, alongside color man Dan Dierdorf until Dierdorf retired after the 2013–14 NFL season.

2014: Worked alongside Trent Green

From 2014 until 2019, Gumbel worked alongside Trent Green in the No. 3 team.

2018: Worked alongside Trent Green and Bruce Arians

For the 2018 NFL season, Gumbel worked in a three-man booth with Trent Green and Bruce Arians.

2019: Worked alongside Trent Green

From 2014 until 2019, Gumbel worked alongside Trent Green in the No. 3 team.

2020: Teamed with Rich Gannon

In 2020, Gumbel traded spots with Kevin Harlan, teaming with Rich Gannon.

March 15, 2023: CBS Sports extended contract with Gumbel

On March 15, 2023, CBS Sports extended its contract with Gumbel, allowing him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL coverage.