We all remember when Stephen Curry’s game-winner in 2016 had the entire stadium screaming and one commentator losing it. Mike Breen was the man behind the microphone that glorious day and his career witnessed an uprise since then. The American commentator has had an impressive career thus far and is an important associate of the NBA. He has also worked with the WNBA as well.
Breen is known for his famous reactions during crucial games. He often says the words “Bang!”, “It’s good” or “Puts it in.” The commentator has witnessed historic moments in the league including the infamous Malice at the Palace brawl that took place in 2004. The iconic “Bang!” became his trademark call when he was associated with Fordham University. Mike Breen has also called various other sporting events as well.
Breen handled play-by-play calls for five Olympic Games in his five-decade-long career. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 and was named Broadcaster of the Year as well. The Curt Gowdy Media Award Winner was a main broadcaster for the New York Knicks at the Madison Square Garden Arena. He currently earns an estimated $500,000 per year from the NBA and it could’ve varied in the past. His net worth stands at $1 million.
Mike Breen has called 100 NBA Finals games
Yes, you’ve read that right. Mike Breen has made 100 appearances in the NBA Finals as a commentator. He is famously known as the Voice of the NBA as well. Fans of the league adore Breen when he’s behind the microphone. However, he does not like to be called the Voice of the NBA as he feels that other commentators deserve to be recognized as the same.
Mike Breen is calling his 18th Finals…can he remember all 17 #NBAFinals MVP winners? 🤔 #NBAFinals presented by @YouTubeTV continue TONIGHT at 8:30 pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/Ryv2pXcclU
— NBA (@NBA) June 12, 2023
He said, “I hate the term ‘the voice of the NBA.’ I hate it. If you look at it, say, Boston gets in the Finals, their radio voice, Sean Grande, who is fantastic, he’s the voice of the NBA for the Celtics fans. So every team has their own voice of the NBA. Then you have all of our terrific play-by-play people at ESPN, all the terrific play-by-play guys at TNT, so there are a lot of voices for the NBA. I know it sounds trivial, but I’m never comfortable with that because there are so many great voices in the NBA.”
Mike Breen will call his 100th NBA Finals game tonight 🎤
Legendary 🤩 pic.twitter.com/gII6EbUir1
— ESPN (@espn) June 12, 2023
Mike Breen showed how humble he is despite having an amazing career so far. Jimmy Trainia, a reporter from Sports Illustrated claimed that he’s never met someone who is as loved as Breen. He said that fans have never said anything bad about the man either. Breen’s presence will certainly be felt during the 2023 NBA Finals as well.