There are few commentators with accolades to match those of Jim McKay or whose career is marked by an equally impressive list of broadcasting “firsts.” In 1947 McKay was the first on-air television broadcaster seen and heard on the airwaves of Baltimore, Maryland. Twenty-one years later, in 1968, McKay earned distinction as the first sports commentator honored with an Emmy Award. McKay built on his reputation of excellence and went on to receive a total of 13 Emmy Awards and further distinguished himself as the first and only broadcaster to win Emmy Awards for both sports and news broadcasting, as well as for writing.

McKay’s first reporting job was with the Baltimore Evening Sun. In 1947 the Sun’s leadership invested in Baltimore’s first TV station, WMAR-TV, and McKay was chosen as that station’s first on-camera personality. McKay did everything but run WMAR-TV— functioning as the station’s producer, director, writer, and news and sports reporter. His reputation as a hard-working and skillful journalist earned him an opportunity to host a New York City–based Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) variety show, and McKay became a strong presence in the largest media market in the world. Although CBS gave McKay his broadcasting break, it was ABC Sports, under the leadership of Roone Arledge, that provided McKay the opportunity to flourish. During the 1950s, McKay covered events ranging from international golf and horse racing events to college football. McKay and American Broadcasting Company (ABC) colleague Howard Cosell, gave ABC the most comprehensive sports programming available on television.

In fact, McKay’s assignment as an Olympic commentator would make McKay one of the most recognizable sports personalities throughout the world. His most memorable Olympic Games were those at Munich, where his experience as a seasoned reporter was put to the test. While preparing to take a swim on his first day off at the games, McKay received word that gunshots were fired in the Olympic Village. He ran to the ABC studio, threw clothes on over his swimsuit, and for the next 16 hours delivered to the world award-winning coverage of the Black September terrorists’ attack on Israeli athletes in Munich’s Olympic Village.

McKay received two Emmy Awards for his work during the 1972 games, one for his coverage of the games and the other for his reporting on the terrorism. He was also the 1972 recipient of the George Polk Memorial Award, given annually to the one journalist whose work represents the most significant and finest reporting of the year. The Munich coverage was also recognized with his receipt of the Officer’s Cross Order of Merit, bestowed by the former West German Federal Republic.

Although ABC lost the Olympics contract following the 1988 games, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) invited McKay to cross network lines and join its 2002 Olympic coverage as a special correspondent. This historic crossover marked McKay’s 12th time to report on the Olympic Games. It is no wonder why McKay is known as “Mr. Olympics” throughout the television industry.

McKay is perhaps best known for his role as host for ABC’s Wide World of Sports, which began with McKay as its host in 1961. Now, some 35 years later, ABC’s Wide World is the most successful and longest-running sports program in the history of television. Through his work with ABC’s Wide World, McKay became the first American television sports reporter to enter the People’s Republic of China during China’s policy of isolationism.

McKay’s pioneering work in the field has not gone unrecognized. His multiple Emmy Awards are a tribute not only to his excellence but also to his versatility. In fact, among his most impressive Emmy is one from 1988, given for his opening commentary scripts of ABC Sports’ coverage of the 1987 Indianapolis 500, the British Open, and the Kentucky Derby; a 1990 Award, another first, for Lifetime Achievement in Sports; and a 1992 Emmy for his sports special Athletes and Addiction: It’s Not a Game.

In addition to his role on Wide World, McKay anchors most major horse-racing events, such as the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. In 1987, McKay was chosen as a member of the Jockey Club, horse racing’s governing body. McKay and his wife, Margaret, are steadfast supporters of Maryland’s horse-racing industry and culture. He is founder of the Maryland Million, a million-dollar horse-racing spectacular for Maryland thoroughbreds. They are also part owners of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.