Jim Kobbe died Tuesday after a brief battle with cancer. He was 64. Kobbe was a familiar face and voice to Wichita-area sports fans during a long career in local television and radio.
Kobbe also played an important role in the early days of Sports Daily on KFH. In 2000, he was one of the first co-host of the local sports talk program, joining Bruce Haertl as the show got its start on KFH.
Kobbe's career also included extensive coverage of Wichita State, Kansas and Kansas State athletics, as well as the many other teams and athletes that have shaped the local sports scene.
His work in Wichita television helped make him a recognizable presence for generations of local sports fans. Kobbe was a sports anchor for KWCH from 1990-2004. Kobbe also served as sports director for KSN from 2005-11. He worked at Spirit AeroSystems beginning in 2011 until retirement in 2024.
Kobbe and longtime friend Ted Woodward, KNSS morning show host and public address announcer for Wichita State athletics, often traveled to major league ballparks and shared their love of baseball.
Kobbe could often be found at Equity Bank Park during games played between the Wind Surge and the Tulsa Drillers, for whom Kobbe’s friend Dennis Higgins served as radio announcer for Tulsa.
Kobbe's death marks the loss of a longtime member of Wichita's sports media community.
Jim Kobbe @jimbokobbe, with the Board of Advisors for the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame @ksbaseballhof, talked about the impact 2026 inductee Don Karnes had from Baxter Springs. @Baxter_Lions @BaseballBaxter
"He donated the land and then was the driving force behind what they… pic.twitter.com/2O4yArJCgu
— Kansas Sports Chatter (@KSportsChatter) January 18, 2026
