Sandy Grossman named 2026 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award winner

Grossman is an eight-time Emmy Award-winning director of sports programming.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The Pro Football Hall of Fame announced that Sandy Grossman, an eight-time Emmy Award-winning director of sports programming, has been named the 2026 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award winner. Grossman led network coverage of 10 Super Bowls, 18 NBA Finals, five Stanley Cup Finals, and multiple Olympic Games' opening and closing ceremonies before retiring in 2012 and passing away in 2014 at the age of 78.

Why it matters

The Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award is one of the highest honors in sports broadcasting, recognizing individuals who made significant contributions to the NFL through their work in radio and television. Grossman's recognition highlights his legacy as a pioneering director who helped shape the viewing experience for major sporting events over his decades-long career.

The details

Grossman is the first winner of the Rozelle Award whose primary duties came as the director of TV sports event coverage. He worked closely with iconic broadcasting duos like John Madden and Pat Summerall, first at CBS and then moving with them to Fox in 1994 when the network obtained the rights to broadcast NFL games.

  • Grossman began working with Madden and Summerall at CBS in 1981.
  • In 1994, Grossman joined Madden and Summerall in moving to Fox when the network obtained the rights to broadcast NFL games.
  • Grossman retired in 2012 and passed away in 2014 in Boca Raton, Florida, at the age of 78.

The players

Sandy Grossman

An eight-time Emmy Award-winning director of sports programming who led network coverage of 10 Super Bowls, 18 NBA Finals, five Stanley Cup Finals, and multiple Olympic Games' opening and closing ceremonies.

John Madden

A legendary NFL coach and broadcaster who worked closely with Grossman for many years.

Pat Summerall

A renowned NFL broadcaster who also worked closely with Grossman and Madden for over two decades.

Bob Stenner

A producer who worked with Grossman, Madden, and Summerall for many years.

Dean Grossman

Sandy Grossman's son, who expressed gratitude for the Hall of Fame's recognition of his father's legacy.

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What they’re saying

“Thank you to the Pro Football Hall of Fame for recognizing my father and his contributions to the NFL. This is such an incredible honor, and to know that my father's name and legacy will be remembered forever in the most prestigious place among the legends of the game would have meant the world to him, as it does our family.”

— Dean Grossman, Sandy Grossman's son

What’s next

The Hall will honor Grossman during the 2026 Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner in downtown Canton on Friday, Aug. 7. The dinner is part of Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

The takeaway

Grossman's recognition as the 2026 Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award winner highlights his pioneering work as a director who helped shape the viewing experience for major sporting events over his decades-long career. His legacy is cemented as one of the most influential figures in sports broadcasting history.