Legendary Twin Cities sports broadcaster Tom Hanneman dies

KSTP
Tom Hanneman[Fox Sports North]

Legendary Twin Cities sports broadcaster Tom Hanneman has died.

Fox Sports North, where Hanneman has worked as a host for Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins, Wild and Gophers hockey shows since 2012, confirmed the news Friday.

"We’re deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Tom Hanneman," Fox Sports North said in a statement. "He meant the world to so many in Minnesota and across the nation. Out of respect for his family, we’re going to take all of the time necessary to reflect and properly honor this great man."

Prior to joining Fox Sports North, Hanneman worked at WCCO-TV for 16 years in the 1970s and ’80s before serving as a host, reporter and later as the play-by-play voice for the Timberwolves.

Just last month, Hanneman was honored with an Upper Midwest Silver Circle Emmy award for his contributions to television over his career.

Timberwolves and Lynx owner Glen Taylor released the following statement Friday night:

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Tom Hanneman. Since the inception of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tom has been a broadcast fixture and voice of our franchise throughout the years. First on radio, then moving to television, his more than five decades of broadcast experience impacted generations of basketball fans. Tom’s grace, spirit and sense of humor was felt by all who came in contact with him. On behalf of the Timberwolves and Lynx, we extend our deepest condolences to Nancy, the Hanneman family, and his FOX Sports North family."

The Wild tweeted, "The #mnwild are deeply saddened by the passing of Tom Hanneman. His kind and welcoming personality and bright smile will be greatly missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Tom’s family and friends."

His cause of death wasn’t immediately clear.