The Cavaliers today announced that longtime television play-by-play voice Fred McLeod died suddenly on Monday night. McLeod was 67.
It's with extreme sadness we share news of the unexpected passing of a beloved member of our Cavaliers family.
RIP @CavsFredMcLeod ❤💛
We extend our deepest condolences to Fred’s entire family.https://t.co/Q3HQsu6Xr3
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) September 10, 2019
McLeod had been with the Cavs since the 2006 season, calling games alongside analyst Austin Carr. It was the culmination of a lengthy career in broadcasting, which began in 1974, and included 22 years working as the play-by-play announcer for the Detroit Pistons prior to joining the Cavs.
From the team’s release:
The Cavaliers extend our deepest condolences to Fred’s entire family, including his wife Beth, mother Marilyn, sister Lynn, and his three children, Sean, Jenna, Molly and each of their families.
Fred was born and grew up in nearby Strongsville, Ohio. He was the Cavaliers television play-by-play announcer on FOX Sports Ohio since the 2006 season. He was about to embark on his 14th consecutive season, and 15th overall, as he served in the same capacity with the Cavs during the 1979-80 season.
In addition to his play-by-play duties, Fred also served as the Cavaliers’ Executive Producer for Multimedia, providing fans behind-the-scenes access on Cavs.com, Cavs HQ, Twitter and Facebook with daily updates and interviews during the season.
One of the most accomplished and respected announcers in the NBA, Fred recently celebrated his 36th season of broadcasting games, having also spent 22 seasons announcing Detroit Pistons games, prior to returning home to join the Cavaliers in 2006. Fred spent the 1979 MLB baseball season in Cleveland as well, as a TV announcer for the Cleveland Indians. His diverse and extensive sports broadcasting career also included time with the NFL’s Detroit Lions and MLB’s Detroit Tigers.
Fred was a multiple regional Emmy Award winner as part of the Fox Sports Ohio Cavs broadcast crew, along with his beloved game broadcast partner Austin Carr. He was also a proud recipient of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences’ prestigious Silver Circle Award in recognition of lifetime achievement in television.
That’s a hell of a broadcasting career. Condolences to the McLeod family, and to McLeod’s broadcasting family as well.
[Cavs]
