Stan Savran, a longtime television and radio talk-show host whose passion and knowledge for sports might have been exceeded only by his popularity, died at his home Monday, his sister, Karen Savransky, said. He was 76.
Mr. Savran had been battling a number of illnesses, including lung cancer, and had been off the air from his daily talk show on ESPN Pittsburgh for several months. He announced in April he had his right foot amputated.
For all his work on television and radio, Mr. Savran was best known for co-hosting a talk show with Guy Junker called “Sportsbeat” on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh. The expression “Stan … Guy, love the show,” became a Pittsburgh staple for years. Sportsbeat was the longest running sports show in Pittsburgh television history when it was canceled after a 17-year run in July 2009.
A number of the biggest names in Pittsburgh sports released statements on the passing of Savran, including Steelers President Art Rooney II, Penguins great Mario Lemieux, and Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting.