John Brenkus cause of death: How did Sport Science founder die? All on health issues and more

John Brenkus, one of the founders and former host of Fox Sports and ESPN television series Sports Science, has died

Updated on: Jun 2, 2025, 10:20:44 IST

Edited by Yash Nitish Bajaj

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John Brenkus, one of the founders and former host of Fox Sports and ESPN television series Sports Science, has died, his family announced on social media. In a statement posted on his Instagram account, they further added that Brenkus had a long battle with depression. He was 54 years old.

John Brenkus died on Saturday, his family announced on social media (X)

“It is with profound sadness that we share the news that John Brenkus has passed away. John, co-founder of Base Productions, founder of Brinx.TV, and co-creator and host of the 6-time Emmy Award-winning Sports Science, had been battling depression. John lost his fight with this terrible illness on May 31st, 2025,” the statement read.

“His heartbroken family and friends request privacy at this time, and encourage anyone who is struggling with depression to seek help,” it further added.

Cause of Death

The statement posted on Brenkus’s social media accounts did not mention the exact cause of death. There are no indications of physical health issues, accidents, or foul play contributing to his death.

Depression and mental health struggles

Brenkus was open about his battle with depression, particularly in a January 2023 interview with Marcellus Wiley on Brinx.TVs Never Shut Up. He revealed spiraling into a “deep, deep depression” after selling Sport Science to ESPN in 2010, feeling “mentally lost” and becoming “flat-out suicidal.”

His dog intervened during a suicide attempt, prompting him to call his mother for help. This experience led him to seek treatment from multiple psychologists and psychiatrists.

Despite his advocacy for mental health, Brenkus’s depression persisted. He continued to discuss his struggles publicly, aiming to destigmatize mental illness, especially for men in high-pressure fields like sports media.

Who was John Brenkus?

Born in 1971 in Vienna, Virginia, Brenkus co-founded BASE Productions and created Sport Science, which debuted on Fox Sports Net in 2007 and moved to ESPN in 2010. The show, earning six Sports Emmy Awards, analyzed athletic feats through science, hosting over 1,800 segments with stars like Drew Brees. In 2013, he founded Brinx.TV, producing shows like The Goat Code, described as 'Sport Science on steroids'.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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