Craig Heist, a longtime Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area broadcaster, has died.
He was 66.
Audacy’s 106.7 “The Fan” — where Heist had worked since 2013 — confirmed the news on Friday. No cause of death was given.
“106.7 The Fan is saddened by the passing of our longtime friend and colleague Craig Heist,” the network said in a statement. “Craig was a longtime anchor and reporter for 106.7 The Fan and postgame host on the Nationals Radio Network since 2013, and had a storied career at stations across the Mid-Atlantic region.
“But above all, Craig was a husband, friend, and sports lover. Press boxes across the DMV will never be the same without his wide smile and infectious laugh. We will keep his family in our thoughts.”
Heist spent more than four decades covering sports in the DMV area, being named Maryland Sportscaster of the Year three times.
He also spent 14 years at WTOP Radio and made recurring appearances on the MASN regional sports network.
Many across the Baltimore and D.C. area penned tributes to the late sportscaster.
“Craig was an absolute fixture in the local sports media scene for decades — someone you’d see in every press box between D.C. and Baltimore,” Tom Schad, The Washington Post’s Commanders beat writer, posted on X. “Always friendly, and kind. Terrible news.”
The Orioles, Nationals and Commanders all posted condolences on their respective social media accounts.
“The Orioles are saddened to learn of the passing of Craig Heist, veteran sports broadcaster who covered the team for more than 35 years,” the team said in a statement on X. “We send our condolences to his wife, Suzanne, and the many friends he made throughout his career.”
Mark Zuckerman, who covers the Nationals for MASN, echoed the sentiment that press boxes in the DMV won’t be the same.
“Heisty was loud. He was funny. He was highly opinionated. He could be inappropriate at times,” Zuckerman wrote. “And yet everyone who interacted with him adored him, because he genuinely cared about everyone he knew. He was the real deal.