Former ESPN executive and long-time influential sports media consultant Chuck Gerber passed away Friday night.
He worked at ESPN for 15 years, most recently in 2008 as Executive Vice President, Collegiate Sports, a position he held since 2005. He originally came to the company in 1993 when ESPN acquired OCC, where Gerber was working as a senior executive.
Among the events Gerber was instrumental in organizing were the Skins Game, Senior Skins Game, LPGA Skins and the College Football Awards Show. In 1997, OCC and Creative Sports were combined to form ESPN Regional Television (ERT), with Gerber overseeing the new ESPN subsidiary, eventually as Executive Vice President.
Upon departing ESPN in 2008, Gerber became a sports media consultant and worked closely with the SEC. In that role, he was critical in the launch of the successful SEC Network.
The 1965 Adelphi University graduate acquired, developed and produced programming for syndicated and pay television for both Casablanca IV and G2 Entertainment production companies (1987-91). He worked at MCA-TV Enterprises (1980-87), where he served as senior vice president, responsible for development, production and acquisition of all first-run programming.
Prior to that, Gerber worked at NBC (1968-80), where he spent the last two years as vice president, Program Development for NBC’s owned stations. He also served as station manager of KNBC, Los Angeles and WKYC-TV, Cleveland. He began his career in 1966 as a media research analyst at WABC-TV in New York.
Burke Magnus, ESPN Executive Vice President, Programming and Scheduling and a close friend of Gerber’s, said this late Saturday night: “Chuck Gerber was a gifted producer and executive who cared deeply about the people he worked with. He was one of the most vibrant personalities in the sports media business and a true visionary at ESPN for many years. His impact on college sports in particular continues to serve fans today, and will for decades to come. Our thoughts are with his wife, Daryl, and the entire Gerber family.”
Across social media, many other ESPN colleagues and members of the sports landscape shared their reflections about Gerber’s distinctive personality and incredible impact.
Note: If the video below does not play on your device, click here.
Hope it is great where you are my friend. You meant more to me & my family than you will ever know. Peace Chuck. pic.twitter.com/reXGrdbDVe
— Burke Magnus (@burkemagnus) November 8, 2015
Sad day for many in sports who appreciated Chuck Gerber. Skilled, no-BS exec with passion and humanity. An original pic.twitter.com/TILv244eAT
— Chris Fowler (@cbfowler) November 8, 2015
Heard this news tonight after our game at Clemson. My heart is broken. Had no idea Chuck was sick. Such a good man! https://t.co/nWIavIJ2tT
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) November 8, 2015
I teared up instantly at hearing Verne Lundquist sweetly eulogize Chuck Gerber. Immense TV visionary with an even bigger love of life. #RIP
— Cara Capuano (@CaraCapuanoPxP) November 8, 2015
RIP Chuck Gerber: https://t.co/dGAdtLdZn0 He was a dynamic, forward-looking thinker, and one of the funniest men I've known. One of a kind.
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) November 8, 2015
(1/3) Many are aware our friend & colleague Chuck Gerber has passed away. Chuck was part of the SEC family, a trusted advisor and a friend.
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) November 8, 2015
(2/3) Chuck helped usher in a new era of television for the SEC. His media knowledge & expertise were matched only by his humor & candor.
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) November 8, 2015
(3/3) Chuck will be missed greatly by everyone in the SEC & by many in college athletics. Our prayers & sympathies are with his family.
— Greg Sankey (@GregSankey) November 8, 2015
Thx all who appreciated my husband #chuckgerber. He loved his job, & making a difference. He will rest but will continue 2 speak his mind❤️
— Daryl Wood Gerber (@darylwoodgerber) November 8, 2015
Chuck Gerber a massively influential TV exec who passed Fri. You've never heard of him, that's OK. Search his name on Twitter to learn more.
— Chadd Scott (@ChaddScott) November 8, 2015
Just heard about Chuck Gerber's death. Really great guy. Negotiated SEC's mega TV deals. Will be missed.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) November 8, 2015
Chuck Gerber, the force behind the @SECNetwork & one of the most talented men I've ever met, passed away. Prayers to his family.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) November 8, 2015
Chuck Gerber, a true character in college sports, has died. He was a longtime ESPN exec and consulted for the SEC. https://t.co/Ne61DsIxE9
— John Ourand (@Ourand_SBJ) November 8, 2015
One thing I’ll always remember about the incomparable TV Exec Chuck Gerber is he always asked about my wife and young daughter.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) November 8, 2015
Very sorry to hear longtime TV sports exec Chuck Gerber passed away. Hugely impactful in college sports. Always enjoyed talking with him.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 8, 2015
I'm sad to hear about Chuck Gerber's passing away. He was a warm, kind, sweet man with a contagious smile, and always in a good mood. RIP.
— Ari Fleischer (@AriFleischer) November 8, 2015
I lost a friend and the #SEC lost a friend last night. Prayers to the Gerber family. RIP Chuck https://t.co/qWUbHzadSq
— Charles Bloom (@CharlesBloomSC) November 8, 2015
From one great person on another we lost … https://t.co/jmNKD4iXPg
— John Kosner (@JKosner) November 8, 2015
One of the best! Rest in peace, Chuck. https://t.co/qtmUGdBeiT
— Aaron LaBerge (@aaron) November 8, 2015
Sad beyond words to learn of the passing of the great Chuck Gerber. He will be missed forever. Rest easy, my friend.
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) November 8, 2015
.Chuck Gerber was a sports Television leader.His passing is saddest for his family and secondly the industry he helped lead.
— Gary Williams (@garywilliamsGC) November 8, 2015
In honor of Chuck Gerber, who refused to be quoted, no Quote of the Week in CFB Rewind. Just goodbye to an original. https://t.co/zc2JlUMgy8
— Jon Solomon (@JonSolomonAspen) November 8, 2015
