Longtime broadcaster, ‘Sports Tonight’ anchor Fred Hickman dies at 66
Longtime sports broadcaster Fred Hickman, who shined alongside Nick Charles at CNN and helped launch the YES Network, died on Wednesday night.
He was 66.
Remembering Fred Hickman pic.twitter.com/ipAGdNRM3X
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) November 10, 2022
“Fred was a joy to work with and a joyful person,” Yankees broadcaster Michael Kay said in a statement. “A total pro that you felt comfortable with knowing he would lead you the right way on the air. He was the first voice ever heard on YES and his professionalism put us on the right track, a track we are on all these years later.”
Hickman was at CNN from the beginning, and hosted “Sports Tonight” with Charles on the network on its first day on the air in 1980. The duo thrived, frequently competing with ESPN’s “Sports Center” during his 21 years with CNN and Turner. Hickman also hosted the first version of “Inside the NBA” on TNT during the 1989-90 season alongside stars like Craig Sager, Hannah Storm, Tim Brando and Vince Cellini.
Hickman is also responsible for then-Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal not being a unanimous MVP winner in 2000. Hickman was the lone media member to vote for someone other than O’Neal, instead choosing Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson.
Hickman then jumped to the YES Network in 2001, where he helped it launch and was the first anchor on the air the following year. Hickman also spent time with ESPN, where he was a “SportsCenter” anchor for four years, and with Fox, where he was a host for Atlanta Braves broadcasts. Most recently, Hickman worked as the anchor and managing editor at Black News Channel.
So very sad to hear about the passing of Fred Hickman. I was the only female anchor at CNN Sports, and Fred was such a welcoming presence…always with a laugh, a quip, a story…and supremely talented. Rest In Peace, my friend. pic.twitter.com/a6A1hAfX8D
— Hannah Storm (@HannahStormESPN) November 10, 2022
I loved Fred Hickman ❤️ RIP Fred. Had the privilege of working w him & Nick @cnn sports. Huge talent with huge heart. pic.twitter.com/98f53JBt56
— Dan Hicks (@DanHicksNBC) November 10, 2022
One of my all-time fave pics. Our CNN Sports team circa 1990. RIP Fred Hickman, Nick Charles, Jim Huber and it was Bill MacPhail in center who hired us all. Bill always said Fred was the most talented. And he was right ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OIwCS4F5ha
— Dan Hicks (@DanHicksNBC) November 10, 2022
Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Fred Hickman, one of the most fun, smart and generous colleagues I’ve known. He will be missed. #RIP @FHickmanNews pic.twitter.com/kpbqz1Dytm
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) November 10, 2022
Incredibly saddened by this. Fred Hickman has died at the age of 66. Fred and the Late Nick Charles teamed for what was at one time cable televisions most watched Daily Sportscast. #CNNSportsTonight was a huge hit. Effervescent & personable as was Nick he too died young. RIP💜🙏 pic.twitter.com/3IXRMruaHk
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) November 10, 2022
My desk was next to Fred’s at CNN/SI - I was nervous and intimidated - until the minute I met him & he welcomed me into the family. I will never forget his kindness, class & professionalism and the way he treated this young broadcaster. One of the true gentlemen of this industry https://t.co/onxe2Kofdi
— Laura Okmin (@LauraOkmin) November 10, 2022
RIP Fred Hickman.
If you are about my age, he was one of the faces on your sports-crazy youth on CNN. He was a true OG in the field. Him, Nick Charles, Vince Cellini, Van Earl Wright, Jerome Jurenovich, etc.
They were our internet before the internet. pic.twitter.com/tQ3IXgZSv0— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) November 10, 2022
Heartbroken to learn my friend & former co-anchor, Fred Hickman, has passed away.
Fred joined WDVM in 2018 & I couldn’t believe it. A legend, one of the first TV journalists on CNN, beloved ESPN Sportscenter host, coming to Hagerstown? To anchor with me? How did I get so lucky? pic.twitter.com/yveVsbc5ma— Tasmin Mahfuz (@TasminMahfuz) November 10, 2022