Dan Hicks, longtime NBC Sports broadcaster, dies at 64

Dan Hicks, a veteran NBC Sports broadcaster known for his work covering golf and Olympic swimming, died Wednesday in Connecticut at age 64, Variety reported. His death followed an acute illness and was described as sudden and unexpected by his wife, ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, according to Deadline.

Hicks spent more than three decades at NBC Sports, joining in 1992 and becoming the lead golf play-by-play announcer in 2000, Variety noted. He called major golf tournaments including the U.S. Open, Ryder Cup, and Players Championship, and was the voice behind 27 of Tiger Woods’ tournament wins.

He was also recognized for his Olympic coverage, especially his partnership with analyst Rowdy Gaines on NBC’s swimming broadcasts. The pair called Michael Phelps’ historic eight-gold-medal performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as Katie Ledecky’s medal-winning swims, Variety added.

Mark Lazarus, CEO of Versant who oversaw NBC Sports for over a decade, expressed heartbreak at Hicks’ passing and praised him as a loyal friend and devoted family man, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Lazarus extended condolences to Hicks’ wife and children.

Hicks was one of the longest-serving on-air personalities at NBC Sports, covering 16 Olympics and numerous professional golf events, The Hollywood Reporter said. His wife described him as a devoted husband and loving father of three daughters.

NBC Sports confirmed Hicks’ death, and no further cause was provided beyond the acute illness, Deadline reported.