‘There will never be another Craig Sager’
Craig Sager, the sartorially splendid sideline reporter for Turner Sports and one of the NBA’s most well-liked figures, died at age 65, ending a long battle with acute myeloid leukemia.
Turner president David Levy announced Sager’s death Thursday afternoon.
“Craig Sager was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than three decades and he has been a true inspiration to all of us,” Levy said in a statement. “There will never be another Craig Sager. His incredible talent, tireless work ethic and commitment to his craft took him all over the world covering sports.”
The fact that Sager shared much of that battle publicly was in keeping with a personality as colorful and cheerful as his famously garish fashion choices, and turned him into a basketball folk hero of sorts in his last years.
The highlight came in Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals, when ESPN invited him to join its regular sideline reporter, Doris Burke, to work the first Finals game of his career.
After the Cavaliers won in Cleveland to even the series at 3-3, Sager interviewed LeBron James, the Cavs star, who said, “First of all, let me ask you a question: How in the hell do you go 30-plus years without getting a Finals game? That don’t make no sense.
“I’m happy to see you, man. Much love and respect. I’m happy I was able to witness it in front of these fans. We really appreciate you.”
Sager replied, “Thanks for entertaining me.”
Sager was born on June 29, 1951, in Batavia, Ill., and never lost the Midwestern accent that helped punctuate his everyman image.
After working in a variety of roles at CNN, TBS and TNT, Sager found his most visible calling as a sideline reporter for TNT’s coverage of the NBA.
“While he will be remembered fondly for his colorful attire and the TNT sideline interviews he conducted with NBA coaches and players, it’s the determination, grace and will to live he displayed during his battle with cancer that will be his lasting impact,” Levy said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Craig’s wife, Stacy, and the entire Sager family during this difficult time. We will forever be Sager Strong.”