Veteran sportscaster John Cloghessy, an original of WFAN New York and the first live voice on ESPN Radio when it debuted in 1992, has passed away at the age of 75.
Cloghessy began his radio career at St. Ambrose University’s KALA Davenport IA. After stints at WTVB Coldwater MI and Ohio, he returned to the Quad Cities at KSTT/WXLP as account executive and morning newscaster, which for awhile was hosted by Spike O’Dell of later WGN Chicago fame. He also served as the local play-by-play voice of University of Iowa football from 1978 to 1986. Cloghessy then spent six years at WFAN as an update anchor, reporter, and play-by-play voice for Seton Hall University basketball and some boxing. He would spend the remainder of his career on the national stage as an update anchor at ESPN Radio from 1992 until 2015, ABC Radio Networks from 1993 until 2017, and SiriusXM’s “Mad Dog Sports Radio” from 2008 to 2016.
John Cloghessy was the definition of a radio sports anchor. A big, brassy voice and a gentleman to boot. Kind and encouraging in my early days at WFAN. A generous and warm “radio guy.”
RIP Closs, “the number one sports voice innnnnnn New Yoooooork!” https://t.co/zB3Arryxhi
— Sweeny Murti (@SweenyMurti) September 16, 2025
Thanks for posting Ron. I started working with John at WFAN in 1987 and years later hired him at SXM. My deepest condolences to his beautiful family. Closs was a good friend who was great at his job and we shared many laughs together. Special man who will be missed
https://t.co/FR3NYmovaQ
— Steve Cohen (@CohenNFL) September 16, 2025
John Cloghessy is on the Mt Rushmore of @WFAN660 anchors. I spent many shifts with John anchoring on @SiriusXMSports, & he was the epitome of old school radio. I learned a lot by observing how he wrote & delivered news. Always friendly & loved his family. RIP to a true radio pro.
— Justin Shackil (@JustinShackil) September 16, 2025
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com