CLEVELAND — Jim Donovan, a fixture as a sports and news anchor at WKYC for 39 years, is retiring from 3News on Monday, June 10.
To honor Jimmy's nearly-four decade tenure with us, WKYC proudly presented a one-hour special at 7 p.m. that we're calling "Jim Donovan: Celebrating a Legend." We look back at some of Jimmy's amazing moments at 3News with the help of several special guests, and you can watch it again in the player above!
While Jimmy is stepping away from daily television, he will continue to serve as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Cleveland Browns, a position he has held since the team returned to the NFL in 1999.
“I haven’t called a Browns Super Bowl win yet," Jimmy said when he announced his retirement last month, “but I’ll continue to call the games this fall so there’s always hope.”
A graduate of Boston University, Jimmy first arrived at WKYC in 1985. In addition to his anchoring and reporting duties in Cleveland, Jimmy also had multiple national roles including play-by-play for NBC Sports' NFL coverage from 1987 to 1997, swimming and soccer play-by-play in the 1992 and 1996 Summer Olympics, and World Cup Soccer in 1994.
After WKYC acquired the local, over-the-air television rights to the Cleveland Indians, Jimmy served as play-by-play announcer from 2006–2008. And then in 2012, he expanded his duties at WKYC, becoming the anchor of Channel 3's Front Row 7 p.m. newscast, while continuing his role as sports anchor.
“It’s been an amazing run, and I am so thankful for the support from our viewers, Browns fans, my colleagues and all who have been a part of the journey. I’m looking forward to spending more time with Cheryl and my daughter, Meghan,” Jimmy added.
If you would like to send Jimmy a message of congratulations, you can email him at goodluckJimmy@wkyc.com.
More from 3News:
- Jim Donovan, longtime sports and news anchor at WKYC, to retire in June
- JIMMY'S TAKE: Jim Donovan believes the Cleveland Browns want a new domed stadium, likely in Brook Park
- 'Never give up': 3News' Jim Donovan shares powerful reflection on this season as Cleveland Browns prepare for NFL playoffs against Houston Texans