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Bryant Gumbel

Bryant Gumbel

Keynote Speaker: Emmy Award-Winning Journalist, Host of "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel" on HBO

Bryant Gumbel Biography

In April 1995, Bryant Gumbel began hosting "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel," HBO Sports’ monthly magazine-style program that explores the issues, controversies and personalities that are prevalent in the world of sports.

Since its inception, "Real Sports" has been honored with 32 Emmy Awards, as well as three duPont-Columbia University Awards for broadcast journalism. In May 2013, the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication recognized Real Sports with a prestigious George F. Peabody Award for enterprising reporting in 2012 and again in 2016. The selection committee wrote, “Gumbel’s show continued to be one of TV’s finest news magazines, period.”

Underscoring the program’s capacity for distinctive and groundbreaking reporting, the series captured all three prestigious sports broadcast journalism awards in 2016 – the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Journalism; a duPont Award for the show’s work on the dangers confronting laborers in Qatar’s massive sports buildup; and a Peabody Award for the eye-opening investigative report on illegal poachers decimating the African elephant population.

The program won its first Sports Emmys following the inaugural 1995 season, for a report on college football player Adam Warmuth and a profile of legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson. In 1996 the show was honored by the highly regarded Center for the Study of Sport in Society and Northeastern University in Massachusetts for Excellence in Sports Journalism. The show received another Sports Emmy for Gumbel’s 1996 report on the 30th anniversary of the 1966 NCAA Championship Texas Western basketball team and another the following year for Outstanding Sports Journalism. The 1998 Sports Emmy Awards included three more for Real Sports, including the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Edited Sports Series. The 1999 Sports Emmys added another triumph for the show, as Gumbel received the award for Outstanding Journalism for an investigative piece on counterfeit golf clubs. The program received a 2000 Sports Emmy for a report on baseball recruiting practices in the Dominican Republic, marking the fourth straight year Real Sports won the award for Outstanding Sports Journalism.

A 2001 Sports Emmy marked the fifth straight Outstanding Sports Journalism award bestowed upon the program, recognizing the feature on high school basketball sensation Amar’e Stoudemire. The next year, Real Sports captured the 2002 Sports Emmy for Outstanding Edited Sports Series. In April, 2004, the program received two Sports Emmys, the Outstanding Sports Journalism award for Gumbel’s report on the imprisonment of former Georgia high school football star Marcus Dixon and the Outstanding Long Feature award for his profile of race car driver Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in a crash.

At the May 2005 Sports Emmy Awards, Real Sports was recognized twice, for Outstanding Edited Sports Series and Outstanding Sports Journalism.

In a virtual repeat of the 2005 Sports Emmy Awards, Real Sports was honored twice at the May 2006 ceremony. The program won for Outstanding Long Feature and for Outstanding Sports Journalism. Gumbel’s reporting on the disturbing growth of racism in European pro soccer captured the 2006 Outstanding Sports Journalism Emmy.

At the 28th annual Sports Emmy Awards, Real Sports received two more trophies, including Outstanding Sports Journalism for Gumbel’s report on the troubles in horse-racing’s Jockeys Guild and Outstanding Edited Sports Series/Anthologies. Real Sports has been honored for Outstanding Sports Journalism 18 times overall.

Some of Gumbel’s most compelling interviews include one-on-ones with baseball legend Derek Jeter (2018);Sean McVay of the Rams (2018); NFL stars Russell Wilson (2015), Plaxico Burress (2011), Randy Moss (2005) and Terrell Owens (1996); fallen baseball star Denny McLain (1999); hoops star Brandon Jennings (2009); pro golfers Phil Mickelson (2002), John Daly (1998) and Vijay Singh (2005); track star Usain Bolt (2008); baseball star Ryan Howard (2007); former NFL star QB Troy Aikman (2011); former NFL head coach Jon Gruden (2012); and his revisit of the shocking encounter between NBA players Kermit Washington and Rudy Tomjanovich (2001).

Bryant has also reported on the largely unknown world of women’s bodybuilding; the dangers of fans being hit with foul balls at major league parks; the alarming increase in gun violence in Chicago directed at young athletes who were once given a “Hooper’s Pass;” excessive drinking at NFL games; the police shooting of minor league baseball player Robbie Tolan in his Texas driveway; and concussions on the high school level. In fall 2012, Gumbel traveled to North Carolina for a touching and inspiring profile of Chancellor Lee Adams, Rae Carruth’s unwanted son.

With an eye on global issues that have far-reaching impact, Gumbel, who has delivered more than 100 reports to the franchise, has traveled overseas to report on the role of the Ultras soccer community in the Egyptian political revolution, the largely unchecked power of the International Olympic Committee, the effects of global warming on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and the alarming presence of racism in European soccer leagues.

In Sept. 1996, the National Association of Minorities in Cable (NAMIC) presented Gumbel with the annual award that “recognizes an individual for making an outstanding contribution toward promoting diversity in the entertainment/telecommunications industry.”

One of television’s most accomplished broadcasters, Gumbel was with NBC for more than 20 years, where he hosted “TODAY” for 15 years, longer than anyone else in the show’s history. During his time with Today, he won an Emmy for his interviews. He anchored the network’s coverage of the 1988 Olympic Games from Seoul, South Korea and co-anchored NBC’s coverage of the 1992 presidential election.

Gumbel joined CBS News in 1997. There, he hosted his own prime-time program, Public Eye, as well as the network’s morning news program, The Early Show, before retiring from broadcast network television in May 2002. He also co-hosted Flashpoints on PBS, a quarterly public-affairs series that zeroed in on national issues.

Gumbel has compiled a remarkably diverse array of credits. He has interviewed superpower leaders and Super Bowl heroes, and has covered foreign wars, elections, international summits and presidential inaugurations.

Gumbel has anchored and reported from all corners of the globe, including Europe, China, Australia, Russia, Cuba, sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. He covered the outbreak of the Persian Gulf War from Saudi Arabia, the reopening of the arms negotiations from Geneva and the tenth anniversary of the fall of Saigon from Ho Chi Minh City. Gumbel earned an Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club for Outstanding Foreign Affairs Work for his interview with top Kremlin officials in Sept. 1984. He also received an Edward Weintal Prize for diplomatic reporting and George Foster Peabody Award for his efforts in Vietnam.

In addition to his work with HBO, Gumbel has received four Emmy Awards, the United Negro College Fund’s highest honor, the Frederick D. Patterson Award, as well as the Martin Luther King Award from the Congress of Racial Equality and three NAACP Image Awards. For orchestrating and anchoring the Africa broadcasts, Gumbel has been honored with the International Journalism Award from TransAfrica, the Africa’s Future Award from the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, and the leadership award from the African American Institute.

Prior to his NBC News assignment, Gumbel worked for NBC Sports from fall 1975 to winter 1982, serving as the host of virtually all its primary programs and championship event broadcasts, including Major League Baseball, the National Football League and the NCAA basketball tournament. He also hosted its coverage of the PGA Tour in 1990.

Gumbel’s broadcast career began in Oct. 1972, when he was named sportscaster for KNBC-TV Los Angeles.

He was born Sept. 29, 1948, in New Orleans and raised in Chicago. Gumbel graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine with a liberal arts degree. 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 Way of New York City, Xavier University in New Orleans and his alma mater

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Bryant Gumbel and other top speakers and celebrities.

Bryant Gumbel Videos

Bryant Gumbel on wrapping up HBO's "Real Sports"
Bryant Gumbel on the Dan Patrick Show Full Interview
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: Giant of Africa ft. Masai Ujiri

How do I book Bryant Gumbel to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Bryant Gumbel for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Bryant Gumbel, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Bryant Gumbel or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Bryant Gumbel for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Bryant Gumbel, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $50,000 - $100,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Bryant Gumbel, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Bryant Gumbel speak about?

Bryant Gumbel is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Golf, Television & Film, News & Media, Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage, Entertainers, Inspirational, Motivational, Athlete, Broadcasting, Celebrity, Sports, Cancer and Culture.

Where does Bryant Gumbel travel from?

Bryant Gumbel generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Bryant Gumbel?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Bryant Gumbel for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Bryant Gumbel for your next private or corporate function.

What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Bryant Gumbel or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Bryant Gumbel is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Golf, Television & Film and News & Media. The estimated speaking fee range to book Bryant Gumbel for live events is $50,000 - $100,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Bryant Gumbel generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Greg Gumbel, Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Montel Williams. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Bryant Gumbel for an upcoming event.

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 14/07/2024.

Bryant Gumbel Videos

Bryant Gumbel on wrapping up HBO's "Real Sports"
Bryant Gumbel on the Dan Patrick Show Full Interview
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: Giant of Africa ft. Masai Ujiri
Bryant Gumbel: 'Our Eyes Have Been Opened To The Dangers' Of Football
  • How do I book Bryant Gumbel to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Bryant Gumbel for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Bryant Gumbel, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Bryant Gumbel or any other speaker of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Bryant Gumbel for a speaking engagement?

    Speaking fees for Bryant Gumbel, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $50,000 - $100,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Bryant Gumbel, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Bryant Gumbel speak about?

    Bryant Gumbel is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Golf, Television & Film, News & Media, Diversity & Inclusion, Black Heritage, Entertainers, Inspirational, Motivational, Athlete, Broadcasting, Celebrity, Sports, Cancer and Culture.
  • Where does Bryant Gumbel travel from?

    Bryant Gumbel generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
  • Who is the agent for Bryant Gumbel?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Bryant Gumbel for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Bryant Gumbel for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Bryant Gumbel or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.