Veteran NBA announcer Mike Breen is about to reach a historic milestone. During Game 5 of the Denver-Miami finals, Breen will call his 100th NBA Finals game, becoming only the third basketball announcer in history to achieve this feat, joining legends Chick Hearn and Johnny Most. He's also the sixth U.S. play-by-play announcer across major sports (including the World Series and Stanley Cup Final) to reach the century mark.
Breen, currently calling his 18th championship series, admitted his surprise at reaching the impressive number. "I knew I’d done many Finals, but never tallied the exact games," Breen remarked. "Reaching 100 is beyond anything I ever imagined. It's a true honor."
Other announcers who have reached this milestone in their respective sports include Joe Buck (135 World Series games) and Mike "Doc" Emrick (110 Stanley Cup Final games). Including radio broadcasts, baseball Hall of Famer Vin Scully called 126 World Series games.
Reaching 100 broadcasts for the finals in basketball, hockey, or baseball is a testament to an announcer's enduring career. This year marks the 21st straight NBA Finals broadcast for ABC/ESPN. Prior to ABC/ESPN acquiring the rights, NBC held them for 12 seasons (1991-2002), and CBS for 17 (1974-90). Before Breen's extensive run, Dick Stockton (CBS) and Marv Albert (NBC) held the record, each having called nine finals.
Breen's career began in 1991 as the New York Knicks' radio announcer. He transitioned to television seven years later, working with NBC for five seasons before joining ESPN in 2003. He became ESPN’s lead NBA play-by-play announcer in 2006. Known for his iconic "Bang!" call on made three-pointers, Breen's distinct style quickly made him a fan favorite.
This year's Finals marks Breen's seventh time calling a championship series featuring the Miami Heat. His first NBA Finals broadcast in 2006 also happened to be the Heat's inaugural appearance. Breen has worked alongside Jeff Van Gundy for the past 17 finals, and with Mark Jackson added to the team, this marks their 15th Finals together. Their strong on-air chemistry stems from their shared history with the Knicks.
Despite a devastating house fire last October that destroyed his home and years of accumulated notes and statistics, Breen has persevered, supported by his family, friends, and colleagues. He expressed gratitude for every recovered item, comparing it to "winning the lottery."
