HBO’s Real Sports With Bryant Gumbel will end following this season after nearly three decades on air.
Bryant Gumbel, who has hosted the investigative sports program since April 1995, said hosting the show was a rewarding experience for him.
“Since day one at Real Sports we’ve consistently tried to look beyond the scoreboard, and focus instead on the many societal issues inherent in the world of sports,” Gumbel said in an exclusive interview with Deadline. “In the process we’ve had the opportunity to tell complex stories about race, gender, class, opportunity and so much more. Being able to do so at HBO for almost 3 decades has been very gratifying.”
The longtime series has produced more than 300 episodes and received three Peabody Awards as well as 37 Sports Emmys. Of those 300, Gumbel produced intriguing stories in multiple areas that include a child slavery ring in the United States to investigations within the International Olympic Committee, to name a few.
“I’m proud of the imprint we’ve made, so I’m ready to turn the page,” Gumbel said. “Although goodbyes are never easy, I’ve decided that now’s the time to move on.”
