Sportswriter and former “Today” host Bryant Gumbel has been selected to receive a lifetime achievement award at the 44th Annual Sports Emmy Awards. The event will take place on Monday, May 22 at Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.
The honor was announced Tuesday morning by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which administers the Sports Emmys.
“Bryant has a storied career, from his early days as a sportscaster in Los Angeles to five decades of celebrated work – all cementing him as an icon and pioneer in sports and entertainment,” the president said. and CEO of NATAS, Adam Sharp. “Bryant’s incredible resume spanning ‘Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel,’ NBC Sports, NBC News, CBS News and many other projects brought dramatic, human news and sports stories to life for audiences throughout. of his career, making him a clear precursor to this distinct honor.
Gumbel is a decorated television journalist and sportscaster whose past awards include Emmy, Peabody, NAACP Image and Edward R. Murrow awards.
“To me, Bryant’s selection for the lifetime achievement honor is an unqualified endorsement of sports journalism,” said Justine Gubar, Head of Sports Emmys. “Bryant is an accomplished journalist, interviewer and storyteller and the sports media landscape is indebted to the high standard that Bryant continues to set to this day.”
Gumbel has hosted HBO’s “Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel” since 1995; the series has won 36 Sports Emmy Awards. His TV credits include 15 years in the “Today” anchor chair and a stint at CBS News as host of “The Early Show” and prime-time newsmagazine “Public Eye.”
“I am humbled by this announcement and grateful to the people at NATAS for this prestigious award,” Gumbel said in a statement. “After 50 years in the business, to share the same honor with men like Jim McKay, Howard Cosell and Vin Scully is truly exciting.”
Gumbel has received honorary doctorates from Bates, Xavier, Holy Cross, Providence College, and Clark Atlanta University. He has served on the boards of the United Negro College Fund, United Way of New York City, and Xavier University of New Orleans.