CLEVELAND — Jim Mueller, who became a beloved Cleveland sports media figure both here at WKYC and on the Browns Radio Network, has died at the age of 79.
Jim Donovan, Mueller's successor as 3News' sports director, confirmed the passing of his "first boss at Channel 3" while on the air prior to kickoff of Sunday's Browns preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mueller had worked as a color commentator with the team for roughly 20 years, partnering with legends such as Gib Shanley, Nev Chandler, and Doug Dieken.
"My condolences, and all of our condolences, go out to Jim's family — his son Kyle, his daughter Paige," Donovan told the audience. "Great guy, and a guy that was in this stadium for a lot of time and a lot of great games and a lot of great moments."
Mueller played college football at the University of Florida before beginning his broadcasting career, with stops in West Palm Beach, Louisville, and Miami before coming to Cleveland as WJW Channel 8's sports guy. He made his way to the Browns radio booth in 1975, and would stay there for most of the next 20 years through the Kardiac Kids and Bernie Kosar eras.
From 1983-87, Mueller served as WKYC's lead sports anchor, establishing himself as one of the most trusted voices in the city's media landscape. He also called select Cavaliers and Indians games, and even reported on a potential sale of the Tribe to future U.S. President Donald Trump (the deal eventually fell through).
Jim is featured in this old 1985 promo below:
Besides his work in Cleveland, Mueller also made a name for himself in NASCAR as the public address announcer for Michigan International Speedway for 33 years before retiring in 2017, witnessing drivers from Richard Petty to Dale Earnhardts Sr. and Jr. Additionally, he also traveled down to Florida to call races at Daytona International Speedway for more than a decade, including the prestigious Daytona 500.
Funeral arrangements for Mueller have not been announced.