Sportscaster Jim McKay Dies, Age 86

LEGENDARY SPORTS BROADCASTER JIM McKAY died at his Monkton, Maryland, home this morning following a lenthy illness.

The famed broadcaster who won 13 EMMY awards was the “voice of the Olympics” for many years and became renowned when he provided the live coverage during the 1972 Olympic games as a band of barbarians seized and then murdered a group of Israeli athletes.

Overall he covered 12 Olympic games telecasts and was with “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” from its inception in 1961 until 1986, bringing millions of Americans “The thrill of victory …. the agony of defeat.”

Jim McKay in 1980 (ABC Sports photo)

ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer said in a statement:

“There are no superlatives that can adequately honor Jim McKay. He meant so much to so many people. He was a founding father of sports television, one of the most respected commentators in the history of broadcasting and journalism.

“For more than 60 years he brought sports into the homes of Americans on Wide World of Sports, the Olympics and many other programs that captured the essence of the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

“Jim was the ultimate colleague, having helped generations of people who have now taken his mantle. He was also a warm and devoted family man. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Margaret, Sean and Mary for their loss. And I know that countless people, around the world, have been touched by this great man. We will miss him.”

McKay’s real name is James Kenneth McManus and he is the father of Sean McManus who is president of CBS News and Sports.

The New York Times has an obituary column HERE.
ESPN has MORE.

1960’s Wide World of Sports Intro.: