TV sports commentator and journalist Mike Gibson has died, aged 75. Gibson is best known for his work on Channel Nine’s Wide World of Sports, as well as hosting sports show The Back Page on Fox Sports until 2012.
“As a story-teller, Mike Gibson had no peer,” the Nine Network’s head of sport Steve Crawley told AAP in a statement.
“The people he wrote about, you felt you suddenly knew and he had this knack of making you feel part of his stories.
“Gibbo is a legend of Australian sport.”
Others have turned to social media to express their grief, and the hashtag #RIPGibbo began trending soon after news of Gibson’s death broke.
“Very sad to hear of the passing of Mike Gibson. A truly wonderful writer and storyteller and a source of huge encouragement to young journalists like me. Always strived to write like Mike but could never, ever match his remarkable skills. Vale Gibbo a true great,” News Corp Australia soccer writer Ray Gatt wrote.
The NRL also paid, tribute to the man knows as Gibbo, with Head of Football Todd Greenberg saying he was affectionately known across a number of platforms.
“Mike had a wonderful turn of phrase and his passion for sport and for Rugby League was always clear,” Greenberg said.
“He was at the forefront of sports broadcasting. His incredible knowledge wasn’t restricted to Rugby League – he had a great affection for our game but he also had a great affection for other sports commentary as well.
“His style was unique and brought incredible colour to any occasion. And his love of the North Sydney Bears was legendary. Sport will miss him.”
Mike Gibson – the first to introduce #tdf coverage to Aussie TV viewers for @WWOS9 in 1980s. Weekly highlights – well before SBS. #RIPGibbo
— Michael Tomalaris (@miketomalaris) September 23, 2015
Breaking. Early reports that iconic tv journalist Mike Gibson has passed away. A great of sports journalism. WWOS. Back Page. Vale, Mike.
— OzRepublic FitzSimon (@Peter_Fitz) September 23, 2015
Sad to hear of Mike Gibson's passing. One of those guys who was always willing to help younger journos coming through, including myself. RIP
— Louise Ransome (@LouRansomeFOX) September 23, 2015
Shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of Mike Gibson. All us old blokes grew up with him as our sport figurehead. Rest in peace mate.
— Tommy Campbelltown (@wpasterfield) September 23, 2015
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