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Longtime Detroit TV sports anchor Don Shane dies at 70

Shane retired from TV in 2012

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 21: WXYZ Channel 7 Action News Sports Director Don Shane throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the interleague game between the Detroit Tigers and the St. Louis Cardinals at Comerica Park on June 21, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Cardinals 2-1 in 10 innings. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) (Mark Cunningham, 2012 Mark Cunningham)

Don Shane, who anchored sports coverage in the Detroit TV market for decades, has died at 70.

Shane, best known as the longtime sportscaster at WXYZ, retired in 2012. He worked at WDIV prior to joining WXYZ in 1989, where he spent 23 years.

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Shane’s passing was first reported by WXYZ on Saturday morning. The cause of his death was not immediately known.

During his sports career in Detroit, Shane also served as the play-by-play announcer for Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and the Detroit Pistons. He also worked for WBZ-TV in Boston and WMAQ-TV in Chicago.

Shane received numerous awards for his reporting including 23 Michigan Emmy Awards, a “Best Sports Anchor” honor, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Silver Circle Award, as well as awards from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Associated Press.

We’re sending our thoughts, prayers and condolences to our friends at WXYZ this morning.


About the Author
Ken Haddad headshot

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.

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