Turner Sports Reporter Craig Sager Dies

Veteran Turner Sports reporter Craig Sager died Thursday after a long battle with leukemia at 65, the network said Thursday.

Sager had been a fixture at Turner Sports for more than 30 years, mostly as a sideline reporter for TNT's National Basketball Association telecasts. Known for his outlandish and colorful outfits, Sager this past July at the ESPY Awards was awarded the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award, given to someone is sports who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.

Turner Sports president David Levy said of Sager in a statement:

“Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us.  There will never be another Craig Sager.  His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports. 

“While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it’s the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong.”

Craig Sager's ESPYS Speech

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.