Sports World Mourns Death of Former SI Writer Grant Wahl

Wahl is known primarily for his writing on soccer, where he shaped the growth of the sport in the U.S.

Editors’ note: This story has been updated to reflect that Grant Wahl turned 49 on Dec. 2.

The sports world lost an iconic figure on Friday with the death of former Sports Illustrated writer Grant Wahl. 

Wahl, 49, died Friday in Qatar while covering the 2022 World Cup. The renowned journalist was known for his soccer coverage and his impact on the growth of the sport in the United States. He joined SI in November 1996 and spent 24 years in the company.

Wahl was dedicated to perfecting his craft, specializing in international coverage of soccer. After Wahl left SI in 2020, he started his own substack, “Fútbol with Grant Wahl.”

In a joint statement, SI’s co-editors in chief, Ryan Hunt and Stephen Cannella, said: “We’re shocked and devastated at the news of Grant’s passing. We were proud to call him a colleague and friend for two decades—no writer in the history of SI has been more passionate about the sport he loved and the stories he wanted to tell. Our hearts go out to Céline and his family, as well as everyone who loved his work. He will always be part of the SI family.”

He also spent time working as an on-air personality with Fox Sports and wrote three books: The Beckham Experiment, Masters of Modern Soccer and Football 2.0.

When news of his death broke, those from around the soccer world and beyond shared their condolences.

Anyone who has any power who cheered for America with the fervor they did for the World Cup should put just as much energy into getting Grant Wahl's body home.

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) December 10, 2022

Nice. Grant Wahl was just the nicest person you’d ever met. It sounds simple, but it left a mark on every person he came across. Makes you want to be a better person.

And man, could that guy report and write. Terribly sad https://t.co/Xc2MF3lVSP

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) December 10, 2022

I just heard about Grant Wahl. Just devastating. Grant was a superb person and always very gracious and kind to me. He will be missed.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 10, 2022

This is awful. Grant was a phenomenal, brilliant journalist; my heart goes out to his family. 💔https://t.co/2GlZKLBXpX

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) December 10, 2022

This was Grant Wahl’s last story. https://t.co/MzYoo6rVaS

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 10, 2022

My God. God. This is awful. Grant Wahl combined true goodness, passion for his job, love of his game, and love of life. My heart aches for his wife Celine and his family. This is a heartbreaking night. https://t.co/Rn9DsfgNoz

— Peter King (@peter_king) December 10, 2022

What Grant Wahl did for women's soccer as far as storytelling and increasing visibility — he set the bar. He was also an incredible human being. So shocked and saddened by this news.

— Lyndsey D'Arcangelo 🏀 (@darcangel21) December 10, 2022

Shocked by the news on Grant Wahl. Hearthbreaking, unbelievable. My heart goes out to family, friends, wife. He was a fantastic guy and journalist.

Sad, shocked.
May you rest in peace, Grant.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 10, 2022

The LA Galaxy mourn the loss of deeply respected American soccer journalist Grant Wahl. Our thoughts are with his family and friends in this trying time. pic.twitter.com/WC2OkrHlFF

— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) December 10, 2022

LeBron James offered his remembrance of journalist Grant Wahl tonight in Philadelphia. Wahl, who died at the age of 48 while covering the World Cup in Qatar, wrote the first Sports Illustrated cover story on James - “The Chosen One” - when LeBron was still a teenager. pic.twitter.com/mZIMx1TJiB

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 10, 2022

Our hearts go out to Grant Wahl's family, friends and all who loved him.

An amazing writer, who wrote one of the iconic cover stories in Kentucky basketball history. pic.twitter.com/Vr8t8orMgC

— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was a legend of the business (he introduced America to both soccer AND LeBron James). More importantly, he was a really kind, generous, good person. Thinking of everyone who knew and loved him.

— Stephanie Apstein (@stephapstein) December 10, 2022

LeBron James offers his condolences to Grant Wahl’s family on his passing. “It’s a tragic loss.”

He spoke length about his fond memories of Wahl covering him as a teenager, and following his career after. He said the cover shoot for his first SI cover story was “pretty cool.”

— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) December 10, 2022

Heartbreaking. Grant Wahl was everything a great journalist should strive to be, and an even better person. The best of us. https://t.co/obOBOwLAPC

— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was my colleague and my friend in the SI family. He was young enough to have fact-checked me (superbly) right out of Princeton and then grew into one of best of us. I don’t know how else to say this: He cared about things. About everything.

— Tim Layden (@ByTimLayden) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was kind. Needlessly kind. I love him and I’ll miss him.

He treated me with a level of respect I didn’t deserve. He gave me an opportunity when I needed one. And most importantly he was kind. Needlessly kind

I’ll miss him. I’m devastated beyond words

— Chris Wittyngham (@ChrisWittyngham) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was so kind to me when I joined SI in 2013. Reached out to welcome me, and said that I should reach out if I ever needed anything.

He was a fearless and courageous reporter, and a good, generous person.

A terrible, terrible loss.

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was the first soccer writer I can remember reading on the internet, and pushed harder to make Americans love the sport like he did. It worked. I hope he knows that.

A horrendous loss.

— ¡BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL! (@edsbs) December 10, 2022

OMG I am heartbroken to read this about the fantastic journalist GRANT WAHL . Before he became the best covering soccer he did hoops & was so kind to me .I’m crushed as I Loved his passion for soccer .May he RIP & 🙏🙏🙏 to his wife- family & friends. https://t.co/J2sdrzTBxs

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 10, 2022

I kept hoping we wouldn't have to report this news when Grant Wahl collapsed. He was an advocate for soccer writers, fans and the LGBTQ+ community. My heart breaks for @celinegounder, who gave me life-saving guidance for my immunocompromised husband early in the pandemic. https://t.co/ecnwy1EPdX

— Iliana Limón Romero (@LAT_Iliana) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was unbelievably kind to everyone, but I was especially touched by how warm and welcoming he was towards my mom when he realized she was a huge soccer fan. Heartbreaking news. https://t.co/v99QlQayoi

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 10, 2022

The soccer community lost a real one today. And for women’s soccer, one of the originals who helped drive our game forward. Grant Wahl never shied away from asking the tough questions, the right questions, the ones that got to the heart of the matter. He will be greatly missed.

— Becky Sauerbrunn (@beckysauerbrunn) December 10, 2022

Can’t comprehend this news. Grant was one of the best sports journalists and an even better person. Covered college hoops for a long time at @SInow prior to going full-time soccer. May his memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him. https://t.co/tfM2ODgcMu

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) December 10, 2022

Statement from MLS on the Passing of Grant Wahl: pic.twitter.com/YTROTSKS9x

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) December 10, 2022

Sporting Kansas City mourns the loss of Grant Wahl. The Kansas native was so much more than just a journalist to many. His passion for storytelling and the beautiful game made him a beloved member of the soccer community.

Our thought are with his family and friends.

— Sporting Kansas City 🎗️ (@SportingKC) December 10, 2022

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Grant Wahl.

Grant not only was a dedicated supporter for women's soccer, but a fierce advocate for human rights. His legacy will continue to be felt on our game for years to come.

— Orlando Pride - x (@ORLPride) December 10, 2022

It is impossible to measure the impact Grant Wahl had on soccer in the United States.

Not only was he a passionate and dedicated champion of our game, but he was a kind and thoughtful person.

The club send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.

— D.C. United (@dcunited) December 10, 2022

Rest In Peace @GrantWahl 💔😣 https://t.co/PwMc2dI88Z

— Cristian Roldan⚽ (@CristianRoldan) December 10, 2022

Heartbroken by the news of Grant Wahl. He cared so deeply about women’s soccer and our soccer community. I’m in shock.

— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) December 10, 2022

I’m so saddened by the news of @GrantWahl .. I’m sending all my love and strength to his family and friends. He was such an inspiration to our soccer community and anyone who was lucky enough to meet him.❤️

— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) December 10, 2022

Everytime that I had the opportunity to speak to Grant, he was always class. Someone who was truly dedicate to the game of soccer. RIP Grant Wahl You will be missed deeply.💔 https://t.co/QT5SNhMFjB

— Paul Arriola (@PaulArriola) December 10, 2022

Shocked by the news on Grant Wahl. Hearthbreaking, unbelievable. My heart goes out to family, friends, wife. He was a fantastic guy and journalist.

Sad, shocked.
May you rest in peace, Grant.

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 10, 2022

My heart is unspeakably heavy tonight.

Grant loved soccer, he was passionate about his work and telling stories. He cared deeply; it was his greatest attribute. More than that, Grant was a friend with whom I just loved to talk soccer. In total shock.https://t.co/S8LsvtNF93

— Ryan Hunt (@rynhnt) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was a titan - fearless, tireless, principled. He was a better friend, colleague, spouse and human. “Devastating” doesnt fully paint it….RIP. (Go Jayhawks)

— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) December 10, 2022

LeBron James on Grant Wahl: "Very fond of Grant, and having that cover shoot, me being a teenager and him covering that, was a pretty cool thing. ... I've always kind of watched from a distance. ... It's a tragic loss. It's unfortunate to lose someone as great as he was."

— Kyle Goon (@kylegoon) December 10, 2022

I had the pleasure of covering college hoops with Grant Wahl at SI. He was a great teammate. I was awestruck by his talent. His laugh was infectious. And it was so cool watching him become *the* authority on soccer.

I can’t believe this is real. Prayers to his wife and family.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 10, 2022

Grant Wahl was unbelievably kind to everyone, but I was especially touched by how warm and welcoming he was towards my mom when he realized she was a huge soccer fan. Heartbreaking news. https://t.co/v99QlQayoi

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 10, 2022

Rest in Peace, Grant. pic.twitter.com/4pNLmhFldg

— Jesse Marsch (@jessemarsch) December 10, 2022

Absolutely devastated. My heart breaks for Celine and the rest of Grant’s family and friends. His passion and advocacy for our game had an incredible impact on the growth of soccer in this country, and his legacy will not be forgotten. https://t.co/X328UtxFsY

— Cindy Cone (@cone_cindy) December 10, 2022