Longtime Minnesota sports broadcaster Tom Hanneman dies

Tom Hanneman, one of the longest-running television personalities in Twin Cities media, has died.

The news was announced Friday afternoon, with former WCCO sports anchor Mark Rosen mourning Hanneman's passing during an appearance with KFAN radio Friday afternoon. 

"Tom Hanneman passed away last night," said Rosen, noting that Hanneman died in his sleep. "I'm just crushed." 

Hanneman most recently worked as a studio host with FOX Sports North, covering the Twins, Wild and Timberwolves. He previously worked as a sports anchor at WCCO-TV and was the television voice of the Timberwolves. 

"I’m crushed at the news of [Tom Hanneman's] passing," tweeted Timberwolves television broadcaster Dave Benz. "He was welcoming, helpful and gracious to me when he passed me the baton as [Timberwolves] play-by-play announcer. He was funny and humble and kind. I don’t know that I’ve ever met a more genuine human in broadcasting."

In November, Hanneman was awarded the Silver Circle Emmy award in recognition of his contributions to television.