Dan Hicks, Iconic NBC Sports Play-by-Play Voice, Passes Away at 64
Dan Hicks, the veteran NBC Sports play-by-play announcer who defined generations of Olympic swimming and Alpine skiing coverage, has passed away unexpectedly at the age of 64.
🏒NHLPhoto: The Athletic
Key points
- Dan Hicks passed away unexpectedly at 64 on Wednesday.
- He served as NBC's play-by-play voice for 16 Olympic Games, specializing in swimming and Alpine skiing.
- Tributes poured in from athletic icons including Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and Lindsey Vonn.
Longtime NBC Sports broadcaster Dan Hicks died unexpectedly on Wednesday at the age of 64, leaving behind a massive legacy across American sports media. Over a distinguished career that spanned 16 Olympic Games—including 15 in a play-by-play capacity—Hicks became the definitive voice for swimming in the summer and Alpine skiing in the winter. His portfolio extended far beyond the Olympics, encompassing golf majors, Notre Dame football, and various other marquee sporting events.
Hicks was universally recognized for his calm, authoritative delivery during some of the most dramatic moments in sports history, most notably the U.S. men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay victory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Colleagues and athletes alike shared heartfelt tributes following the news. Rowdy Gaines, his longtime swimming analyst, expressed a broken heart over the loss, while legends such as Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Lindsey Vonn, and skiing partner Steve Porino lauded his unmatched professionalism, preparation, and passion for every broadcast.
Known for leaning on expert analysts and treating every assignment—from an Olympic gold medal race to a World Cup ski event in Beaver Creek—with equal dedication, Hicks shaped the auditory landscape of modern sports viewing. He is survived by his wife, Hannah Storm, and their daughters.
Source The Athletic — nytimes.com/athletic/7776708/2026/11/12/dan-hicks-olympics-broadcas… ↗
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