Veteran NBC Sports broadcaster Dan Hicks has died at the age of 64 following an acute illness, his family has confirmed.
Hicks passed away on Wednesday, November 11, with news of his death announced the following day. His exact cause of death has not been disclosed.
The Tucson, Arizona-born broadcaster was widely recognised for his coverage of major sporting events, including the Olympic Games, PGA Tour tournaments and Notre Dame football.
He also called NFL games for NBC between 1992 and 1998.
Wife Hannah Storm Confirms His Death
Hicks’ wife, ESPN anchor Hannah Storm, released a statement on Thursday on behalf of herself and their three daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley, confirming the family’s loss.
“Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness,” Storm said.
She described Hicks as a devoted husband of more than 30 years, a loving father and a cherished friend, adding that his death had left an immeasurable void in their lives.
Storm also remembered her husband as someone whose presence brought energy, laughter and people together.
“Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around.
When he walked into a room, he brought the energy, the laughter and the people together,” she said.
She added that he was consistently kind, thoughtful and funny, and had a way of making everyone feel valued.
Storm concluded by thanking those who had reached out to support the family during the difficult period, saying that she and their daughters were struggling to find words to express how much he would be missed.
NBC Sports Executives Pay Tribute to Hicks
NBC Sports executives Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon also released a joint statement honouring Hicks and his contributions to the network.
They described him as an exceptional colleague, friend and broadcaster who had spent 34 years at NBC Sports.
According to the executives, Hicks was an outstanding storyteller whose commentary elevated some of the most significant moments in sporting history.
They highlighted his work covering Olympic swimming and skiing, Notre Dame football and other major sporting competitions, as well as his role as the network’s leading golf commentator for the past 26 years.
The statement praised his knowledge, presentation style, enthusiasm and humour, which entertained sports audiences for decades.
The executives also remembered him for his personality away from the cameras, describing him as someone who welcomed colleagues with a smile, a joke or words of encouragement.
They extended their condolences and support to Storm and the couple’s three daughters.
Memorable Moments in His Broadcasting Career
During his career, Hicks was behind the microphone for several memorable sporting occasions.
Among them was the United States swimming team’s comeback at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Tiger Woods’ dramatic putt that forced a playoff at the 2008 US Open.
He also interviewed Woods following his victory at the 2018 TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
His broadcasting assignments included major golf tournaments and Olympic competitions, making him a familiar voice to viewers of NBC Sports coverage.
How Dan Hicks Met His Wife Hannah Storm
Hicks was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, where he later attended the University of Arizona and began his broadcasting career in radio.
He subsequently worked as a weekend news anchor at KVOA, a television station in Tucson, before moving into sports journalism.
In 1989, he joined CNN as a sports reporter when the cable news network was expanding its operations.
It was during his time working for CNN in Atlanta that he met Hannah Storm, who would later become his wife.
The couple married in 1994 and had three daughters together: Hannah, Ellery and Riley.
They had been married for more than three decades before his death.
