NBC Sports Announces Death of Golf and Swimming Announcer Dan Hicks

Dan Hicks, the longtime broadcaster for NBC Sports, has died. The network and his family announced the news on Thursday. Hicks was 64 years old. He passed away late Wednesday in Connecticut. His wife, ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, identified the cause of death as an acute illness.

Hicks spent 35 years at NBC Sports, joining the network in 1992 after a three-year stint at CNN. He served as the lead announcer for golf, Olympic swimming, and Notre Dame football. Golf was his primary focus, and he held the top calling position from 2000 after serving as a tower announcer from 1995 to 1999. During his tenure, he called 27 U.S. Opens and 23 U.S. Women's Opens. He also covered the Ryder Cup, PGA Tour events, and the British Open.

His work included narrating 27 tournament victories for Tiger Woods, three of which occurred at the U.S. Open. At the Olympics, Hicks called swimming events eight times alongside Rowdy Gaines. The duo covered Michael Phelps' eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games. They also documented Katie Ledecky's 14 medals across four Olympic Games from 2012 to 2024. Hicks also called Notre Dame football, a role he held from 2013 to 2016 and resumed in 2024. This season marked his seventh year in that position.

Hannah Storm released a statement on social media describing the loss as sudden and unexpected. She called him a devoted husband of over 30 years and a loving father to their three daughters. "He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many," Storm said. She noted that he was "truly one of a kind" and that his presence brought energy and laughter to every room he entered.

Colleagues and industry leaders offered tributes. Robert Maltbie, a broadcast colleague and friend, told Golf Channel that the news was "a tough one, I mean really tough." The PGA Tour stated that Hicks' steady narration filled living rooms during many big moments in the game. USGA CEO Mike Whan described Hicks as a true friend to the organization and a wonderful person whose warmth touched many people who knew him.

NBC Sports executives Rick Cordella, Sam Flood, and Molly Solomon praised Hicks as an exceptional storyteller. They noted that he elevated the biggest moments in sports history and served as the signature voice for the network's golf coverage for the last 26 years. CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus called Hicks an integral part of iconic sporting events over the last three decades. McManus also described him as a true gentleman in every way.

Hicks was scheduled to call the Notre Dame Fighting Irish game against Boston College on Saturday. He is survived by Storm and their three daughters: Hannah, Ellery, and Riley. Storm said the family is grateful for the love and support they have received during this difficult time.