Veteran NBC Sports broadcaster Dan Hicks passed away on November 11, 2026, at the age of 64 following an acute illness, leaving behind his wife of more than three decades, ESPN journalist Hannah Storm, and their three daughters. His sudden passing brought an outpouring of tributes from the sports broadcasting community, where Hicks was widely respected for his coverage of Olympic swimming, professional golf and other major sporting events.
Dan Hicks and Hannah Storm shared one of the most recognizable marriages in American sports journalism. The couple met while working at CNN in 1989 and married on January 8, 1994. Throughout their 32 years together, they balanced demanding careers at competing television networks while raising their daughters, Hannah, Ellery and Riley, in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Who Is Dan Hicks’ Wife Hannah Storm?
Hannah Storm is an American television journalist, sports broadcaster and longtime ESPN SportsCenter anchor. She has spent decades covering major sporting events and interviewing some of the world’s most prominent athletes.
Born on June 13, 1962, in Oak Park, Illinois, Storm developed an interest in journalism and broadcasting before establishing herself in national television.
She attended the University of Notre Dame, where she earned a degree in political science and communications.
Her career began in sports broadcasting during the 1980s, eventually leading to positions at CNN, NBC Sports, CBS News and ESPN.
Storm became particularly well known for her work covering the NBA, professional tennis, Major League Baseball and the Olympic Games.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, she was also known as Dan Hicks’ wife and the mother of their three daughters.
Their marriage connected two accomplished broadcasters who understood the demands of national television and the challenges of maintaining family life alongside their careers.
How Did Dan Hicks and Hannah Storm Meet?
Dan Hicks and Hannah Storm first met in 1989 while working as sports anchors at CNN.
At the time, both were building their careers in television journalism. Their shared interest in sports and broadcasting provided an important connection during the early stages of their relationship.
Hicks was developing his reputation as a skilled sports commentator, while Storm was becoming increasingly recognized for her work as a television anchor.
Their relationship continued as their careers expanded into different networks and broadcasting responsibilities.
After several years together, the couple married on January 8, 1994.
Their wedding marked the beginning of a marriage that would last more than 32 years, spanning significant changes in American sports television.
Although they were both public figures, the couple generally avoided turning their relationship into a regular subject of entertainment coverage.
Instead, they focused on their professional responsibilities and raising their family.
Dan Hicks and Hannah Storm Raised Three Daughters
Dan Hicks and Hannah Storm had three daughters together: Hannah Hicks, Ellery Hicks and Riley Hicks.
Their eldest daughter, Hannah, was born on January 7, 1997. Storm has affectionately referred to her as Hannah IV, reflecting a family naming tradition.
Ellery, their middle daughter, has occasionally appeared alongside her mother at public events, including entertainment and film-related gatherings.
Their youngest daughter, Riley, graduated from college in 2023, an achievement Storm celebrated publicly.
The family lived in Greenwich, Connecticut, while Hicks and Storm continued working on national television.
Their careers frequently required travel for major sporting events, including Olympic competitions, golf championships and other assignments.
Despite these responsibilities, both parents maintained a relatively private home life.
The three daughters largely grew up outside the constant attention often associated with celebrity families.
Their personal relationships and professional activities have not been extensively documented publicly.
Hannah Storm’s Broadcasting Career
Hannah Storm established herself as one of the most experienced women in American sports broadcasting.
She gained national recognition at CNN before moving to NBC Sports, where she covered major sporting competitions and became a familiar television personality.
Her work included assignments involving the NBA Finals, Wimbledon, the World Series and the Olympic Games.
Storm later joined CBS News, expanding her career beyond traditional sports coverage.
In 2008, she joined ESPN and became an anchor on SportsCenter, strengthening her reputation as a prominent voice in sports journalism.
Her career has included interviews with athletes, coverage of major championships and discussions about the changing role of women in sports media.
Alongside broadcasting, Storm has also worked as a producer and documentary filmmaker.
Her professional achievements developed in parallel with Hicks’ successful career at NBC Sports.
While Hicks became particularly associated with Olympic swimming and golf commentary, Storm maintained her own presence across several national television networks.
Hannah Storm’s Health and Charity Work
Hannah Storm has also spoken publicly about personal health challenges and her commitment to helping children with medical conditions.
She was born with a port-wine stain vascular birthmark beneath her left eye, an experience that influenced her interest in supporting families facing similar conditions.
In 2008, she established the Hannah Storm Foundation to help children receive treatment for debilitating vascular birthmarks.
Her charitable work has focused on improving access to medical care and raising awareness about conditions that can affect children’s physical and emotional well-being.
Storm also revealed that she had been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2024.
She underwent treatment and subsequently became an advocate for cancer screening and early detection.
In early November 2026, she reportedly shared that she was cancer-free following a hysterectomy.
The health update came shortly before her husband’s sudden passing, making the period particularly emotional for the broadcaster and her family.
Hannah Storm Pays Tribute to Dan Hicks
Dan Hicks’ passing on November 11, 2026, marked the end of a distinguished broadcasting career and a marriage that had lasted more than three decades.
Hicks was widely recognized for his commentary during Olympic swimming competitions, where his work alongside Rowdy Gaines became familiar to viewers around the world.
He was also a prominent voice in NBC’s golf coverage, calling major tournaments and memorable moments throughout his career.
Following his passing, Storm released a statement expressing the family’s heartbreak.
She described Hicks as a devoted husband of more than 30 years and a loving father to their three daughters.
Her tribute emphasized his importance not only as a respected broadcaster but also as a husband and father whose presence shaped their family life.
The statement reflected the personal loss behind the widespread professional tributes.
A Marriage That Spanned Three Decades
Dan Hicks and Hannah Storm spent more than 32 years together, building successful broadcasting careers while raising their family in Connecticut.
Their relationship began during their early years at CNN and continued through decades of professional achievements, major sporting events and family milestones.
Although both were recognizable television personalities, they kept much of their marriage and their daughters’ lives private.
Following Hicks’ passing, Storm and their three daughters remain central to his personal legacy. Their family story reflects a long partnership built alongside two distinguished careers in American sports journalism.