Rudy Martzke, one of the innovators in the American sports media commentary space, has died at the age of 82.
This was confirmed by his son on social networks.
Martzke was a pioneer in the sports media commentary space, launching one of the first columns on the topic for USA Today in 1982.
He continued to write that column until his retirement in 2005. In his last column, he poked fun at some of its themes.
“While I have at times been filled with complaints by some (Gary Bender, Howard Cosell and even (Pat) Summerall) my experiences have been largely positive while covering the television sports business during a period of increased growth,” he wrote.
‘The applause came when the Sports on TV column was recognized. There have been articles about me in Sports Illustrated and other magazines, a Rudy Roast charity in 2000 (in Biloxi, Mississippi), and a proclamation read to me at the men’s Final Four in St. Louis by NCAA president Myles Brand, who He described me as an icon. I guess it doesn’t get any better than that.
Following his passing, many sports media titans honored Martzke on social media.
Rudy Martzke, one of the pioneers of sports commentary in the media, died at the age of 82
“Very saddened by the passing of the great Rudy Martzke,” NBC Sports’ Greg Hughes wrote on X, formerly Twitter. ‘A friend, great sense of humor, bulldog reporter, fellow Badger (and a huge fan), legend of the sports media industry.
“I helped a lot of PR people (definitely myself) and others throughout the industry with their careers…I hurt some too.”
“When you saw this signing on USA TODAY Sports you knew it would be a must-read,” said ESPN vice president of communications Bill Hofheimer.
“I never had the opportunity to work with Rudy Martzke, but I met him after joining ESPN. A legendary figure and a good man. It is very sad to hear of his passing today.”
“It’s very sad to hear of the passing of a true media legend, Rudy Martzke of USA TODAY sports fame,” legendary ESPN college basketball commentator Dick Vitale said on X.
‘His Monday column was a must-read for people in the world of television sports. We had a great time at various events over the years. That RUDY RIP.’
Martzke is survived by his wife and two children.