Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel is concluding its nearly three-decade-long run. The esteemed investigative sports series will wrap up with its current season on HBO. Bryant Gumbel, who has been the show’s host since April 1995, expressed his satisfaction with this extensive journey.
Gumbel stated, “From day one at Real Sports, our focus has consistently gone beyond mere scores, delving into the societal issues inherent in the world of sports. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of sharing intricate narratives about topics like race, gender, class, and opportunity. Having the opportunity to do this on HBO for almost 30 years has been immensely rewarding. I’m proud of the impact we’ve had, and I believe it’s time for a new chapter. Goodbyes are never easy, but I’ve decided that now is the right moment to move forward.”
Throughout its run, the show has earned 37 Sports Emmy Awards and three Peabodys, with Gumbel recently receiving the Sports Emmys Lifetime Achievement Award.
Some of the notable stories covered during Gumbel’s tenure at Real Sports include the exposure of a child slavery ring in the UAE, investigations into the International Olympic Committee, the tragic police shooting of a teenage boy, and Shaquille O’Neal’s revelation that he earned more annually from endorsements than his NBA career.
Bryant Gumbel, known for his previous roles as co-host of NBC’s NFL pregame show GrandStand and co-host of NBC’s Today, later transitioning to CBS to co-host The Early Show, has played a significant role in the show’s success.
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, executive produced by Joe Perskie, has produced over 300 episodes during its remarkable run.
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, commented, “For 29 seasons, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel has set the standard for sports storytelling. As HBO’s longest-running series, Bryant and his Real Sports team have been a cornerstone of our programming. The series will continue to have a lasting impact in the world of sports journalism, and we are extremely proud to have been part of this incredible journey.”
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