Over the ensuing decades, Sager expanded his portfolio, working with major networks such as TNT, TBS, NBC, and CNN. He covered a wide range of sports including basketball, football, tennis, golf, and curling. He gained particular acclaim for his coverage of the NBA on TNT, where he became a staple on the network’s “Thursday Night” broadcasts. His extensive reporting also included major events such as the FIFA World Cup in 1990, multiple Goodwill Games (1986, 1990, and 1998), the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and the National League Championship Series.

He also covered Notre Dame football for NBC and reported on other niche sports like Nordic skiing. Despite his diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia in 2014, Sager made a celebrated return to the sidelines in late 2015 during the NBA season, further solidifying his legacy as a dedicated and courageous reporter.

Awards and Recognition

Craig Sager’s career was marked by recognition and accolades. In 1988, he received an ACE Award for Best Sports Anchor. He also earned a nomination for a Sports Emmy Award, highlighting his excellence in sports broadcasting.

Throughout his 46-year career, Sager was respected not only for his journalistic skill and engaging interviews with athletes and coaches but also for his unwavering commitment to his craft—even in the face of serious illness. He was diagnosed with acute leukemia at the age of 64 and, due to his health, was unable to cover several key sports events in 2014. Nevertheless, his perseverance and signature style left an indelible mark on sports journalism.