WASHINGTON — As March Madness officially kicks off, many are wondering why longtime CBS host Greg Gumbel is missing from the NCAA's tournament coverage.
Gumbel, who celebrated his 25th anniversary of tournament coverage last year, will not be part of this year's coverage due to family health issues. It will be the first time the host misses the NCAA Tournament since 1997.
CBS confirmed Gumbel's absence on Sunday right before the bracket reveal.
Gumbel, 77, has been the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties.
In Gumbel’s absence, TNT Sports’ Ernie Johnson will host additional hours. Adam Zucker, who hosted Sunday’s selection show, will also be in the mix.
During the NCAA's Selection Show, Zucker and other colleagues sent their best wishes to Gumbel.
"Greg, of course, has been a fixture of our March Madness coverage for the past quarter century and we look forward to having him back, right here, next year," Zucker said during the show on Sunday.
Gumbel isn't the only usual face missing from the coverage line up.
Why isn't Jim Nantz part of March Madness?
Jim Nantz, one of the leading voices for CBS March Madness coverage for nearly four decades, won't be calling any games this year.
Nantz announced that the 2023 NCAA Tournament would be his last as he stepped away from his duties to focus on other commitments as well as his family.
Ian Eagle is taking over from Nantz, who called 32 Final Fours beginning in 1991. Last year’s Final Four was the perfect stepping-off point for Nantz, as it took place in his adopted hometown of Houston.
Eagle — who has been with CBS since 1998 — had taken on an increased schedule of college basketball games on CBS even before Nantz announced in October 2022 that he was stepping away from the tournament.
