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Mike Breen
Mike Breen
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Michael Breen (born May 22, 1961) is an American play-by-play sports commentator. He has been the lead announcer for NBA games on ABC and ESPN since 2006, including the NBA Finals. He is also the lead announcer for New York Knicks games on the MSG Network. Breen previously called NFL regular season games for both NFL on Fox and NFL on NBC, as well as New York Giants preseason games.

Key Information

Biography

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Early life

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Breen was raised in Yonkers, New York, and attended St. Paul the Apostle Catholic grammar school. He is a 1979 graduate of Salesian High School, and a 1983 graduate of Fordham University.[3]

Basketball

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Breen started doing play-by-play for the Marist College Red Foxes basketball team in 1985. From 1991 to 1997 he worked with the Knicks as a radio announcer for WFAN. For the 1997–98 season, Breen was promoted to television play-by-play for the Knicks, as Marv Albert was fired from MSG Network following his infamous sex scandal. Upon Albert's return in 1999, he became his backup on MSG Network and continued as the lead announcer on WFAN. In 2004, he became the lead Knicks play-by-play following Albert's second dismissal from the network.

For the 1998 NBA playoffs, Breen joined NBC as a backup play-by-play announcer, and he remained in that role until the end of the network's coverage of the league in 2002. He also did play-by-play for WNBA games during his tenure at NBC, most notably Game 2 of the 1999 WNBA Finals when New York Liberty guard Teresa Weatherspoon made a half-court shot at the final buzzer to beat the Houston Comets. He joined ESPN as the number 3 announcer for the 2003–04 NBA season. In February 2006, with the departure of Al Michaels from the network, ABC announced that Breen would take over as the lead broadcaster for the NBA, including the NBA Finals. In the 2006–2007 season, he was part of the lead broadcast team with Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson as analysts, and the trio called games until Van Gundy and Jackson's dismissal from the network amid ESPN's layoffs in 2023.

Breen is known for yelling the word "BANG!" (or others such as "It's good!" or "Puts it in!") after a key shot is made, usually very late in the game. Some of his most famous calls include the following:

June 18, 2013 - As ABC's lead play-by-play commentator, Breen called Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat. In the final seconds of regulation, Ray Allen hit a clutch three-pointer for the Heat to send the game to overtime. They would eventually go on to win in overtime and Game 7. This is widely considered to be one of the greatest shots in NBA history, considering the fact that if Allen had missed, the Spurs would have won the championship.[4]

"James catches, puts up a 3. Won't go, rebound Bosh, back out to Allen, his three-pointer, BANG! TIE GAME WITH 5 SECONDS REMAINING!"[5]

February 27, 2016 - Breen called the regular season game between the Golden State Warriors and the Oklahoma City Thunder on television for ABC, when in the final seconds of overtime, Warriors guard Stephen Curry hit a 38-foot, game winning three-point shot.

"They do have a timeout, decide not to use it, Curry, way downtown, BANG! BANG! OH, WHAT A SHOT FROM CURRY! WITH 6 TENTHS OF A SECOND REMAINING!"[6]

June 19, 2016 - Breen called Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. With the game tied with less than two minutes remaining, Cavaliers' LeBron James blocked Warriors' Andre Iguodala's fastbreak layup. The Cavaliers went on to win the game and the championship by the final score of 93-89, ending Cleveland's 52-year major league championship drought. Since the Cavaliers also came back from a 3-1 deficit in this series, James's crucial block is known as one of the greatest defensive plays in NBA history.[7]

"Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! OH, BLOCKED BY JAMES! LEBRON JAMES WITH THE REJECTION!"[8]

When the Knicks made the 2011 NBA Playoffs, Breen did not call any of the games for MSG due to his involvement with ESPN and ABC; he did call Games 3 (with the MSG broadcasts handled by Kenny Albert) and 4 for ESPN and ABC, respectively.

Some of Breen's current and past broadcast partners were employed with the Knicks at one point. The list includes former Knicks head coaches Hubie Brown and Jeff Van Gundy, former Knicks players Mark Jackson and Walt Frazier, and former Knicks radio color announcer John Andariese. While working alongside Bill Walton on ESPN, Breen was on hand for the infamous Pacers–Pistons brawl on November 19, 2004. Two seasons later, Breen was on hand for the Knicks–Nuggets brawl with MSG Network on December 16, 2006.[9][10] The former was detailed in ESPN's First Take talk show on The Old Man and The Three podcast w/ JJ Redick.[11]

In addition, he was also the voice of the NBA Live, beginning with NBA Elite 11, alongside his usual ESPN partners Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy. However, the series was canceled indefinitely. He did voice along with Van Gundy in the NBA Live series beginning with NBA Live 14 through NBA Live 18. Following NBA Live 18, Breen and Van Gundy were replaced by Ed Cohen and Jay Williams.

On May 14, 2021, Breen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and received the Curt Gowdy Media Award. During his acceptance speech, Breen stated: “I’ve had this enormous privilege to call so many great moments in NBA history, but the best part, the best part, has always been the lifetime of friendships that the game has given me.”[12]

In Game 7 of the 2022 Eastern Conference Finals, as well as the first two games of the 2022 NBA Finals, Breen sat out of the broadcasting team due to a positive COVID-19 test, and was replaced by Mark Jones.[13] Breen returned in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.[14][15]

In 2023, following a wave of layoffs which included his partners Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, Breen was the only remaining commentator in the lead broadcast team, with Doris Burke and former NBA coach Doc Rivers joining the lead team.[16] The lineup underwent further changes over the next two seasons. Rivers departed in early 2024 after accepting the head coaching position with the Milwaukee Bucks, and his replacement, former NBA player JJ Redick, left ESPN after the 2024 NBA Finals to become head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

For the 2025–26 NBA season Team Line up[17], ESPN introduced a new primary broadcast team featuring Breen alongside analysts Tim Legler and Richard Jefferson, with Lisa Salters serving as the lead sideline reporter.[18] This group is assigned to call the network’s marquee NBA broadcasts, including the NBA Finals on ABC. Burke subsequently moved to ESPN’s secondary NBA broadcast team, where she works with play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch.

Olympics

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Breen has announced in five Olympic Games during his career, one Winter Olympics and four Summer Olympics. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Breen called basketball, handling play-by-play for both the men and the women. At the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Breen called ski jumping. Breen served as a play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports coverage of men's and women's Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics.[19]

Radio

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Breen has been a fixture on the radio as well. He began his professional radio career as a sportscaster on WNBC radio in the early 1980s, and frequently substituted for Dave Sims as host of "SportsNight" on the station. From 1988 to 2000, Breen did the sports segment on the WFAN and nationally syndicated Imus in the Morning talk/comedy radio show. Breen became noted for his deadpan delivery of false sports news, such as in the mid-1990s reporting that in the previous night's Mets game, "Félix Millán went 4-for-4 with 3 runs scored" (Millán retired in 1977).

Personal life

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Breen resides on Long Island, New York, with his wife Rosanne and their three children.[20] He is Catholic.[21]

Career timeline

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Year Title Role Network
1989–1990 NBA on TNT Play-by-play (fill in) TNT
1991–present MSG Network Play-by-play (Lead on radio, 1991-97, 99-04) (Lead on TV, 1997-99, 04-present) MSG Network
1994–1996 NFL on Fox Play-by-play Fox
1997 NFL on NBC NBC
1997–2002 NBA on NBC
1999–2001 WNBA on NBC Play-by-play (lead)
2006–present NBA on ABC/ESPN ABC/ESPN

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Michael Breen (born May 22, 1961) is an American sportscaster renowned for his play-by-play commentary on (NBA) games, serving as the lead announcer for the on MSG Networks and as the primary voice for NBA coverage on and ABC, including a record 20 series as of the 2025 NBA Finals. Born in and raised in , Breen attended , graduating in 1983 after beginning his broadcasting journey as an undergraduate at the campus radio station in 1979. There, he developed his distinctive calling style, influenced by broadcasters like , and formed early professional connections, including with future colleague Michael Kay. Breen launched his professional career in radio at WEOK/WPDH in , before moving to prominent New York-area outlets such as WNBC-AM, SportsChannel, MSG, and as a contributor to the program on WFAN-AM and MSNBC. He joined the Knicks' broadcast team in 1991 on radio and transitioned to television play-by-play for MSG Networks in 1998, often partnering with analyst Walt "Clyde" Frazier. In 2003, Breen joined , becoming the lead NBA play-by-play voice for the network and ABC starting in 2006, where he has collaborated with analysts like , , and . His career also encompasses NFL play-by-play for and , WNBA coverage for , and men's and women's basketball at the 1996, 2000, 2004, and . Breen's signature exclamations, such as "Bang!" for emphatic three-point shots, have become iconic in NBA broadcasting, contributing to memorable calls like LeBron James's block in the Game 7. His accolades include the 2020 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Media Award, the 2022 Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting from , the 1998 New York Broadcaster of the Year honor from the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, and eight New York Emmy Awards. Breen is married to Rosanne Breen and has three children: Michael, Matthew, and Nicole; the family resides on , New York. He supports charities including St. Mary's Children's Hospital, The Miracle Foundation, and the Garden of Dreams Foundation.

Early life and education

Upbringing

Michael Breen was born on May 22, 1961, in and raised in the nearby city of . As the fourth of six boys in a large family, Breen grew up immersed in the vibrant New York sports culture, with his household often buzzing with discussions about local teams. His father, who battled later in life, instilled a strong sense of family and perseverance that influenced Breen's approach to his future career. Breen attended St. Paul the Apostle Catholic grammar school in Yonkers, where his early interest in sports began to take shape amid the city's close-knit community. He then enrolled at Salesian High School in New Rochelle, graduating in 1979 after participating in the school's program under coaches like Brother Jim Wiegand, which deepened his passion for the sport. A devoted fan from a young age, Breen attended his first game at the original when he was eight years old, fostering a lifelong connection to through local broadcasts and family outings to games. These formative years in Yonkers, surrounded by the excitement of the Knicks' 1970 championship era, laid the groundwork for Breen's enthusiasm for sports commentary, even as he idolized broadcasters like during his youth. Following high school, Breen pursued higher education at , where his broadcasting interests would further develop.

College years

Breen attended in the Bronx, New York, where he pursued a degree in within the Communication and Media Studies department. He graduated in 1983 with a bachelor's degree in communications, having chosen the institution partly for its renowned student radio station, . During his undergraduate years, Breen immersed himself in practical broadcasting experience at (90.7 FM), the university's public radio station, where he served as a student reporter and play-by-play announcer. He called men's and women's basketball games from the , honing his skills in live sports commentary amid the energetic campus atmosphere. These opportunities at provided foundational training in radio production and on-air delivery, connecting him to a lineage of notable alumni like . To supplement his studies, Breen secured part-time work in , including a producing role on Jack Spector's sports talk program at WNBC-AM, a New York radio station, through a connection with a Fordham classmate. This experience allowed him to gain initial play-by-play exposure while managing academic demands, steadily building a portfolio that would prove essential for his entry into professional broadcasting after graduation.

Broadcasting career

Radio work

Breen began his professional broadcasting in 1983 as a newscaster and sportscaster at WEOK-AM and WPDH-FM in , where he earned $111 per week in his first year. This entry-level role followed his student experience at Fordham University's radio station, where he honed play-by-play skills. In the mid-1980s, Breen joined WNBC-AM in , providing sports updates and occasionally substituting as host for the overnight "SportsNight" program. His work there built his reputation in the competitive New York media market, blending news delivery with sports commentary. From 1988 to 2000, Breen served as the sports anchor on WFAN's "," a nationally syndicated hosted by , delivering daily sports segments with a humorous, style that complemented the program's tone. During this period, he contributed to WFAN's expansion as the nation's first all-sports radio station by handling sports reports, guest interviews, and filling in on other segments, which helped solidify the station's morning drive-time dominance. Breen departed the show in January 2000 to focus on expanding play-by-play opportunities, marking the end of a 12-year run that enhanced his profile in .

Knicks and NBA coverage

Breen began his Knicks broadcasting career as the radio play-by-play announcer in 1991, partnering with Hall of Famer on WFAN. He transitioned to television in 1997, serving as the lead play-by-play voice for telecasts through the 1998-99 season following Marv Albert's departure. After focusing on national NBA duties in the early 2000s, Breen returned to as the primary television play-by-play announcer in 2004, continuing in that role alongside Frazier to the present day. On the national stage, Breen joined as a play-by-play from 1997 to 2002, handling regular-season games and playoff coverage. He moved to in 2003 and ascended to the lead play-by-play role for NBA coverage on and ABC starting in 2006, a position he has held ever since. In this capacity, Breen has called a record-extending 20 series through 2025, including high-profile matchups like the 2025 Indiana Pacers-Oklahoma City Thunder series. Throughout his national tenure, Breen has collaborated with a rotating cast of analysts, including and from 2006 to 2023, who joined him for 15 together before their departures from . served as a lead analyst alongside Breen and in recent seasons, including the 2024-25 campaign. For the 2025-26 season, announced Breen's new broadcast team of Jefferson and , with the trio set to handle the and other marquee games. In October 2023, ESPN secured Breen with a multi-year contract extension, adding four years to his existing deal and committing him through at least the 2027-28 season. Despite facing fan backlash for his performance during the 2025 —particularly for underusing his signature exclamations and delivering subdued calls on key plays—Breen is confirmed to return as ESPN's lead NBA voice for the 2025-26 season. Breen's most recognizable signature in NBA broadcasting, the emphatic "Bang!" exclamation following clutch three-pointers or game-altering shots, originated during his early Knicks radio days in the , evolving from a phrase he used as a fan at games. This call has become a hallmark of his style, punctuating iconic moments across two decades of national NBA coverage.

Olympics assignments

Mike Breen served as the play-by-play announcer for NBC's coverage of basketball at four consecutive Summer Olympics, beginning with the games in . There, he handled the broadcasts for the U.S. team, which captured the gold medal, and contributed to the men's coverage during the era of the professional "Dream Team" squads. His role expanded in subsequent Olympics, where he called games for both the U.S. men's and women's teams, including key medal contests such as the gold-medal finals. Breen continued this assignment at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, providing play-by-play for both U.S. teams en route to their gold-medal victories, and again at the 2004 Athens games, where he narrated the women's gold-medal win and the men's bronze-medal match against —a contest that highlighted a challenging tournament for the American men. By the 2008 Olympics, Breen's expertise from years of NBA broadcasting informed his calls on the U.S. men's "Redeem Team," which secured gold with a dramatic final over , alongside the women's gold-medal performance. In a departure from , Breen took on an unusual role at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, serving as the play-by-play voice for events—a sport far removed from his typical assignments but one that showcased his versatility as a broadcaster. He described jumps from a studio monitor, partnering with analyst Jeff Hastings to cover competitions like the men's large hill individual event. Following the 2008 Beijing games, Breen did not return for Olympic coverage, as NBC's Olympic broadcasting rights lapsed after that cycle, and subsequent U.S. rights reverted to other networks before NBC regained them in 2012—by which time Breen's primary commitments were with ESPN and ABC for NBA events.

Boxing and other sports

Breen has served as the lead play-by-play announcer for boxing events on ESPN and ABC since the early 2000s, covering high-profile bouts such as heavyweight title fights and prominent undercards. His work in the sport includes memorable calls from major matchups, showcasing his versatility in describing the intensity of combat sports. In recent years, Breen expanded his portfolio to soccer, taking on the role of lead announcer for ESPN's coverage of the 2025, a 32-team that commenced on June 14, 2025, at in . The event featured club champions from around the world competing across U.S. venues, with Breen providing play-by-play for key matches, adapting his energetic style to the fast-paced nature of the game. Breen has also handled occasional play-by-play duties for and other ESPN events, though these assignments remain secondary to his primary responsibilities. Examples include calls of dramatic moments, such as Iowa State's goal-line fumble in a college football game. Throughout these diverse roles, Breen has incorporated his signature "Bang!" exclamation beyond , using it to punctuate knockouts and soccer goals for added emphasis on climactic plays. This adaptation highlights his versatility, drawing from his NBA experience to enhance excitement in non-basketball contexts.

Awards and honors

Hall of Fame induction

Mike Breen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on May 14, 2021, during the enshrinement ceremony at in . He received the Media Award in the electronic media category, an honor that recognizes exemplary contributions to basketball storytelling and leads to induction in the Hall's media wing. The induction celebrated Breen's over 30 years in basketball broadcasting, including his role as the lead play-by-play voice for 15 on and ABC, as well as his decades-long tenure calling games on . At the Tip-Off Celebration and Awards Gala, Breen accepted the award by highlighting the collaborative nature of his career and life. The Media Award, established in honor of the legendary sportscaster and former Hall of Fame president , underscores Breen's impact as one of basketball's premier voices, with the 2020 award presentation delayed from its original schedule due to the .

Media awards

Mike Breen has received numerous accolades for his play-by-play broadcasting, particularly in coverage. In 2020, he was awarded the Media Award by the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, recognizing outstanding contributions to broadcasting in electronic media. This honor highlighted his decades of NBA commentary, including lead roles on and ABC. In 2022, Breen received the Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting from , his alma mater, which celebrates broadcasters who exemplify storytelling and narrative depth in sports coverage. The award underscored his ability to blend excitement with insightful play description across NBA and other events. Breen has won eight New York Emmy Awards for his sports play-by-play broadcasting, including in 2009, 2014, and 2022. Earlier in his career, Breen was named New York Broadcaster of the Year in 1998 by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, acknowledging his emerging excellence in regional and television. This recognition came during his formative years calling games. More recently, in 2024, Breen won the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Personality/Play-by-Play from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, specifically for his NBA work on ABC and ; this marked his third consecutive victory in the category. The Emmy affirmed his status as a premier voice in national sports broadcasting.

Personal life

Family

Mike Breen has been married to his wife, Rosanne Breen, since September 16, 1989. The couple has three children: two sons, Michael and Matthew (Matt), and a , Nicole. Breen's sons have shown interest in sports, with his youngest son, Matt, pursuing a career in as a feature writer for , covering Philadelphia-area teams. His , Nicole, works in basketball as the Senior Manager of Youth Basketball Development for the NBA, having graduated from with a degree in Communication and Media Studies. The Breen family is devoutly Catholic, with faith playing a central role in their lives; Breen, a alumnus, has discussed how his Jesuit education and personal beliefs guide his family dynamics. His family often supports him at major events, such as his 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame induction, where Rosanne and all three children were present. Breen frequently credits his wife for helping him balance the demands of his travel-intensive broadcasting schedule with family responsibilities, particularly during challenging periods like the 2022 house fire that destroyed their home while he was on the road. Rosanne's steadfast support has been instrumental in maintaining family stability amid his career's rigors.

Residence and interests

Mike Breen resides in Manhasset on , New York, with his wife Rosanne and their three children. The family's home in the gated community was severely damaged by a massive fire in September 2022, caused by the careless disposal of staining materials during renovations, resulting in the loss of most possessions including some sports memorabilia, though no one was injured as the family was away at the time. By 2025, Breen and his family remain based in the area, where the proximity to —about a 30-minute drive—facilitates his ongoing work covering games. An avid golfer, Breen frequently plays the sport in his downtime, including rounds with friends and colleagues such as player . He is a dedicated New York sports enthusiast, particularly as a longtime Knicks supporter, and maintains a collection of sports memorabilia, some of which was affected by the 2022 fire—such as a prized autographed jersey from that was fortunately preserved. Breen, a practicing Catholic, has been involved in charitable efforts through Catholic Charities of Long Island, serving as an honoree at their 2018 Golf Classic event where he shared inspirational remarks supporting the organization's community programs. He also supports St. Mary's Children’s Hospital, The Miracle Foundation, and the Garden of Dreams Foundation. He contributes to youth sports initiatives by publicly recognizing high school coaches and paying tribute to influential figures from his own basketball background, emphasizing their role in developing young athletes. As of November 2025, Breen has reported no major health issues despite the demanding travel and broadcasting schedule of NBA coverage, though he experienced fatigue and sleepless nights during the 2025 Finals.

Notable calls and moments

Mike Breen is renowned for his enthusiastic play-by-play calls, particularly his signature "Bang!" exclamation for made three-point shots and other clutch plays. He has also used "Double bang!" for particularly dramatic sequences. Some of his most famous calls include:

Ray Allen's game-tying three-pointer (2013 NBA Finals)

In Game 6 of the between the and , with the Heat trailing by two points and three seconds left in the fourth quarter, Breen called 's corner three-pointer that tied the game at 95-95, forcing overtime: "Rebound Bosh! Kicked out to Ray Allen... Bang! He got it!" The Heat went on to win in overtime and claimed the series in Game 7. Breen has described this as one of his most cherished calls.

LeBron James's chasedown block (2016 NBA Finals)

During Game 7 of the , with the score tied at 89 and less than two minutes remaining, Breen narrated LeBron James's iconic chasedown block on : "James has it stripped by Anderson... Iguodala... James is there! Blocked by James!" This play helped preserve the tie and propelled the to their first NBA championship.

Stephen Curry's double bang shot (2016 vs. )

In Game 6 of the 2016 Western Conference Finals, Breen delivered his first "double bang" call for Stephen Curry's step-back three-pointer that helped the avoid elimination: "Double bang!" This moment is ranked among his most legendary calls.

Other double bang moments

Breen has reserved "double bang" for rare, high-stakes plays. Notable examples include:
  • Luka Dončić's game-winning buzzer-beater against the in the 2020 Western Conference Semifinals.
  • Donte DiVincenzo's three-pointer in Game 3 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals that gave the a lead over the .
  • Jaylen Brown's overtime-forcing three-pointer against the in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.
As of the 2024–25 season, Breen continues to call NBA games, adding to his collection of memorable moments.

References

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