Geoff Mason passed away on January 25, 2026, and his loss hit the broadcasting world with real force. I felt it personally. For six seasons I directed regional college football for ABC syndicators, and I also directed regional USFL games during the league’s original run. Those assignments placed me squarely inside the creative universe Geoff helped build.
Every Monday we’d gather on a conference call to review the upcoming slate and determine the primary national broadcast. Over those six years whether I was handling University of Miami games for WPLG, Michigan games for WXYZ, or Big Ten matchups for TVS it was Geoff who set the tone and handed out the assignments.
I worked in only a small corner of that universe, yet his influence reached every truck, every crew, and every broadcast. His standards shaped how we told stories each weekend, and his leadership defined the culture that guided all of us.
A Visionary Who Transformed Sports Television
Geoff Mason was one of the most important producers in sports broadcasting history. His career spanned five decades and touched nearly every major network. He worked for ABC, NBC, Fox, ESPN, and NFL Network. His impact reached across eight Olympic Games and multiple World Cups. His work earned 24 Emmy Awards and a place in the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. His vision shaped how viewers experienced major global events. His leadership influenced generations of producers, directors, and storytellers.
The Defining Moment in Munich
Mason’s most famous moment came during the 1972 Munich Olympics. He was the coordinating producer in the ABC control room during the hostage crisis. The world watched as events unfolded with terrifying speed. Mason helped guide ABC’s coverage through chaos and uncertainty. His decisions shaped how millions understood that tragic day. His calm leadership became a defining example of broadcast courage.
A Mentor to an Entire Industry
Colleagues described Mason as a visionary who never sought credit. He mentored teams, connected people, and elevated every production he touched. His influence reached far beyond the control room. He built a culture of excellence that shaped ABC Sports for decades. Those of us working regional college football and USFL games felt that culture every week. His passing reminds us how rare his talent was.
My Small Role in His Larger World
I never worked beside him in the control room or a remote truck. But I worked inside the system he helped build. My regional college football and USFL broadcasts were part of his larger vision. That connection means more to me today than ever. His passing brought those memories back with great clarity. I was honored to contribute even a small piece to his world.
A Legacy Captured on Screen
To understand his brilliance, watch the Paramount+ film “September 5”, which dramatizes his role during the Munich crisis. The film shows the pressure he faced and the mastery he displayed. It offers a powerful look at the talent that shaped our industry. It also reminds me how honored I was to work, even indirectly, under his influence.
