Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Michael Kay (sports broadcaster)

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 12, 2025

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Michael Kay (sports broadcaster) made an impact.

Michael Kay is a prominent American sports broadcaster, best known as the television play-by-play announcer for the New York Yankees on the YES Network. He also hosts 'CenterStage' on the same network, featuring in-depth interviews with notable figures. Additionally, Kay hosts 'The Michael Kay Show' on ESPN New York, a popular radio program also simulcast on ESPN Xtra via satellite radio. He has also contributed to MLB coverage on ESPN, further solidifying his presence in sports broadcasting. Kay's career encompasses various platforms, making him a recognizable and respected voice in sports media.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1982: Started at New York Post

In 1982, Michael Kay began his professional career at the New York Post as a general assignment writer.

1987: Covering the Yankees

In 1987, Michael Kay received the writing assignment covering the New York Yankees for the New York Post.

1989: Joins Daily News and MSG Network

In 1989, Michael Kay left the New York Post for the Daily News, continuing to primarily cover the Yankees. That year, he also became the Madison Square Garden Network Yankee reporter.

1992: Hosts show on WABC and spot reporter on ABC Radio

From 1992, Michael Kay hosted his own show on WABC, and served as a spot reporter on ABC Radio.

1992: Partners with John Sterling on WABC

In 1992, Michael Kay began a decade-long partnership with John Sterling as the radio announcers for the New York Yankees on WABC.

1992: Joins WABC and MSG

In 1992, Michael Kay began working as the New York Knicks' locker room reporter for MSG and left the Daily News to host a sports talk show on WABC.

1993: Returns to Daily News

In 1993, Michael Kay briefly returned to the Daily News to write "Kay's Korner" before taking a job doing radio broadcasts of New York Yankees games with John Sterling.

1993: Hosts show on WABC and spot reporter on ABC Radio

In 1993, Michael Kay continued hosting his own show on WABC, and continued as a spot reporter on ABC Radio.

1998: Sports Talk with John Sterling and Michael Kay

In 1998, Michael Kay and John Sterling paired together for "Sports Talk with John Sterling and Michael Kay", a nightly radio show that aired on WABC.

1999: Commentary for All-Star Baseball

From 1999, Michael Kay provided play-by-play commentary for Nintendo 64's All-Star Baseball video games.

2001: Joins 1050 ESPN Radio

In 2001, Michael Kay was chosen to host a daily radio show on the newly rechristened "1050 ESPN Radio" when ESPN Radio began leasing WEVD radio.

2001: End of partnership with Sterling on WABC

In 2001, Michael Kay's decade-long partnership with John Sterling as the radio announcers for the New York Yankees on WABC concluded.

2001: Commentary for All-Star Baseball

Until 2001, Michael Kay provided play-by-play commentary for Nintendo 64's All-Star Baseball video games.

2002: Hosts Talk Show and CenterStage

In 2002, Michael Kay began hosting a drive-time talk show on WEPN and the YES Network's CenterStage, a sports and entertainment interview-format show.

2002: Joins YES Network

In 2002, when WCBS acquired the radio rights to the Yankees broadcasts, Michael Kay moved to the debuting YES Network on television as the Yankees' lead television play-by-play announcer, a role he has held ever since.

September 21, 2008: Calls Seventh Inning at Yankee Stadium

On September 21, 2008, Michael Kay joined Jon Miller and Joe Morgan to call the seventh inning of ESPN's broadcast of the final home game at Yankee Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles.