Dan Hicks, the longtime NBC Sports broadcaster whose voice carried fans through some of golf’s and Olympic swimming’s biggest moments, died Wednesday after an acute illness. He was 64.
His wife, fellow sports broadcaster Hannah Storm, announced his death in a statement describing a devastating loss for their family.
“Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness,” Storm said. “He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.
“Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around. When he walked into a room, he brought the energy, the laughter and the people together. He was endlessly kind, thoughtful and funny, and he made everyone feel like they mattered.
“Our three daughters and I are heartbroken. We are grateful for the love and support surrounding our family during this incredibly difficult time. These are simply no words to express how much he will be missed.”
For generations of viewers, Hicks was a familiar presence when the stakes were highest.
He called Tiger Woods’ pressure-packed putt to force a playoff at the 2008 U.S. Open and the American swim team’s thrilling comeback at the Beijing Olympics that same summer. His broadcasting partnerships included years alongside golf analyst Johnny Miller and swimming analyst Rowdy Gaines.
Golf became his signature assignment, but his reach stretched across NBC’s sports lineup, from the Olympic Games to Notre Dame football.
This is what J.J.’s putt looked like from the broadcast booth.
The call from Dan. The thumbs up from Kis. Truly unreal.
🗣️HOW. ABOUT. ONE! https://t.co/QYLfsaKHJr
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) July 1, 2025
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NBC Sports executives Rick Cordella, Sam Flood and Molly Solomon remembered a broadcaster whose warmth behind the scenes matched his talent on the microphone.
“Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person,” they said in a statement. “In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history.
“From Olympic swimming and skiing to Notre Dame Football, numerous other high-profile events and especially as the signature voice of our golf coverage for the last 26 years, Dan’s blend of knowledge style, enthusiasm and humor informed and entertained fans for decades. But far beyond his on-air excellence, Dan was a better person who welcomed teammates with a smile, a joke, or a word of encouragement, sometimes all three in the same sentence. Our heartfelt condolences and love to his wife Hannah and his daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley.”
Hicks joined NBC in 1992 after working at CNN. He initially handled tower announcing duties on golf broadcasts before taking over as the network’s lead golf play-by-play announcer in 2000.
His career made him one of the network’s most recognizable voices, trusted to guide viewers through tense finishes and history-making performances.
Versant CEO Mark Lazarus also paid tribute, remembering a friendship that went well beyond their work together.
“I am heartbroken by the sudden loss of our friend Dan Hicks. For decades, I had the privilege of working alongside Dan, but our friendship extended far beyond NBC Sports. Dan was one of the very best at what he did, but what I will remember most is the person he was: a loyal friend and a devoted husband and father. My family and I are thinking of Hannah, their children and the entire Hicks family. We will miss him.”
