The sports world is reeling this week after the sudden passing of Stosh Cienki, a beloved ESPN Radio producer who spent more than two decades behind the scenes in Bristol. Cienki was just 52 years old.
According to multiple reports, Cienki had recently undergone ankle surgery and had shared an update on Facebook indicating that the procedure went smoothly and that there were no signs of infection. Tragically, just one day later, he suffered a pulmonary embolism, which led to his unexpected death. Barrett Media first reported the cause of death.
Cienki was a Missouri native and a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He lived with his family in Connecticut, close to ESPN's headquarters, where he had become a fixture in the radio department. Over the years, he produced shows, booked guests, and mentored countless younger staffers, leaving an indelible mark on the network.
The news has sent shockwaves through the ESPN family and beyond. Tributes have flooded social media, with former and current colleagues expressing their grief and admiration for the man they called a friend and mentor.
Former ESPN personality Bomani Jones wrote on X: "stosh was the first producer of the right time. only guy i know who loved kc sports more than my buddy nick. may he rest in peace."
ESPN's Sarah Spain shared a heartfelt message, saying: "After several producers we had finally found our guy in Stosh — supportive, kind, hard working, full of great ideas and as steady and dependable as they come. I won’t share the texts we’ve exchanged in the years since, but I’ll say that he never stopped being that steady, supportive and kind voice well after we stopped working together. Stosh was a gem, and I’m so heartbroken for his family and everyone who loved him. RIP friend."
Veteran broadcaster Bob Picozzi also paid tribute, saying: "I am seldom at a loss for words. But hearing this morning that we’ve lost Stosh is absolutely devastating. He was such a kind and gentle soul—tall in stature but absolutely monumental as a human being. The ESPN family has been rocked to its core by this news. I guess God needed another producer. He now has THE best."
Cienki's sudden death echoes the recent loss of other beloved figures in the sports and entertainment world, such as the passing of NC State coach Chuck Amato at 80, and the sudden death of Yale coach Tony Reno at 52. The sports community has been reminded once again of the fragility of life.
As fans and colleagues mourn, the legacy of Stosh Cienki lives on in the countless shows he helped produce and the lives he touched. He was a steady, supportive, and kind presence who will be deeply missed.
Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire ESPN community during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
