Ron Franklin, Longtime ESPN Broadcaster, Passes Away at 79

Posted Jan 20, 2022
Ron Franklin was a prominent voice for a generation of fans growing up watching college football and basketball on ESPN. The veteran broadcaster passed away on Tuesday at the age of 79. Franklin is best known for his work with ESPN, where he called games and anchored studio shows from 1987 to 2011. Fran Fraschilla first shared the news. (Barrett Sports Media)

Related: Other News

Candid Coaches: How expanded 76-team NCAA Tournament could lead to less job security
On May 7, the NCAA officially announced that the NCAA Tournament is expanding to 76 teams this season. (Get ready for a bubble dumber than...
Sun Aug 30, 2026

Ruling: SEC can't sanction teams using players with NFL ties
The SEC and commissioner Greg Sankey are not allowed, at least for now, to punish schools if they play a college football player who returns...
Sat Aug 29, 2026

Inside the college basketball eligibility chaos as conferences push back on returning pros
Probably the most common descriptor of college athletics over the past three years: chaos. It's never been more true, or more destabilizing, than what's been...
Sat Aug 29, 2026

ESPN Removing BottomLine Ticker on College Football Games
ESPN is getting rid of its BottomLine ticker during college football games. As it has already done away with for the College Football Playoff games...
Fri Aug 28, 2026