CLEVELAND — Jim Donovan, a fixture as a sports and news anchor at WKYC for 39 years, will be retiring from 3News on June 10.
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," said Jimmy in a statement, “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.
“Jimmy has had one of the most illustrious careers of any local broadcaster across the country,” stated WKYC President and General Manager Micki Byrnes. “It’s hard to believe he’s really stepping down, but we can all agree he’s accomplished just about every milestone that a Sports and News anchor would wish for."
Jimmy has won many awards during his tenure at 3News, including multiple Emmys, the Cleveland Press Club All-Ohio Best Sportscaster, the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Press Club Journalism Hall of Fame and the Cleveland Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.
“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.
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