Bally Sports North's Marney Gellner reveals she has breast cancer

In a radio appearance, the Lynx play-by-play announcer said her surgery is scheduled for next month.

March 21, 2023 at 4:16PM
Marney Gellner of Fox Sports North after interviewing Minnesota Timberwolves Tyus Jones.
Marney Gellner said she wanted to share the news to inspire other women to schedule their annual mammograms. (Carlos Gonzalez, Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Marney Gellner, Lynx play-by-play announcer and Timberwolves studio host at Bally Sports North, has breast cancer.

The 49-year-old broadcaster shared the news Tuesday on KFAN's "The Power Trip" morning show.

Gellner said she got the diagnosis three weeks ago during her yearly mammogram exam. The cancer is not invasive. She told the "Power Trip" hosts that she will have a lumpectomy in two weeks. That will be followed by radiation and medication.

"I'm going to be fine. They caught it very early." she said. "It's the best of the bad."
Gellner said she felt an obligation to share the news in hopes that other women will schedule their annual mammograms.

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"I don't really want to talk about this," she said. "But I feel like it would be so selfish of me and irresponsible of me if I didn't use this platform when I could use it for good."

Well wishes started popping up on social media shortly after her announcement.

"You kick ass at everything else, Marney Gellner," wrote former Twins pitcher Glen Perkins. "I guess it's time to add cancer to that list as well."

Before shifting into the studio, Gellner was a sidelines reporter for the Timberwolves.

about the writer

Neal Justin

Critic / Reporter

Neal Justin is the pop-culture critic, covering how Minnesotans spend their entertainment time. He also reviews stand-up comedy. Justin previously served as TV and music critic for the paper. He is the co-founder of JCamp, a non-profit program for high-school journalists, and works on many fronts to further diversity in newsrooms.

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