Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mike Breen

Discover the career path of Mike Breen, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Mike Breen is a prominent American play-by-play sports commentator, primarily known as the lead announcer for NBA games on ABC and ESPN, a role he has held since 2006, which includes calling the NBA Finals. He also serves as the lead announcer for New York Knicks games on the MSG Network. Prior to his extensive NBA work, Breen announced NFL regular season games for NFL on Fox and NFL on NBC, in addition to New York Giants preseason games, demonstrating his versatility in covering multiple major sports.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1985: Play-by-play for Marist College Red Foxes

In 1985, Michael Breen started doing play-by-play for the Marist College Red Foxes basketball team.

1988: Sports Segment on Imus in the Morning

From 1988 to 2000, Michael Breen did the sports segment on the WFAN and nationally syndicated "Imus in the Morning" talk/comedy radio show.

1991: Knicks Radio Announcer

From 1991 to 1997, Michael Breen worked with the Knicks as a radio announcer for WFAN.

1996: Calls Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics

In 1996, Michael Breen called basketball at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

1997: Television Play-by-Play for Knicks

In 1997, Michael Breen was promoted to television play-by-play for the Knicks on MSG Network.

1998: NBC Play-by-Play Announcer

In 1998, Michael Breen joined NBC as a backup play-by-play announcer for the NBA playoffs.

1999: WNBA Finals Game 2

In 1999, Michael Breen did play-by-play for WNBA games on NBC, including Game 2 of the WNBA Finals where Teresa Weatherspoon made a half-court shot.

1999: Backup Announcer on MSG Network

In 1999, upon Marv Albert's return, Michael Breen became his backup on MSG Network and continued as the lead announcer on WFAN.

2000: Calls Basketball at the 2000 Summer Olympics

In 2000, Michael Breen called basketball at the Summer Olympics in Sydney.

2000: End of Imus in the Morning Show

In 2000, Michael Breen ended his role on WFAN's "Imus in the Morning" talk/comedy radio show after being on the show since 1988.

2002: Calls Ski Jumping at the 2002 Winter Olympics

In 2002, Michael Breen called ski jumping at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

2002: End of NBC Coverage

In 2002, Michael Breen remained with NBC until the end of the network's coverage of the NBA league.

2003: Joins ESPN as Announcer

In 2003, Michael Breen joined ESPN as the number 3 announcer for the NBA season.

November 19, 2004: Pacers-Pistons Brawl

On November 19, 2004, while working alongside Bill Walton on ESPN, Michael Breen was present for the infamous Pacers–Pistons brawl.

2004: Lead Knicks Play-by-Play Announcer

In 2004, Michael Breen became the lead Knicks play-by-play announcer following Albert's second dismissal from the network.

2004: Calls Basketball at the 2004 Summer Olympics

In 2004, Michael Breen called basketball at the Summer Olympics in Athens.

February 2006: Lead Broadcaster for NBA

In February 2006, Michael Breen took over as the lead broadcaster for the NBA on ABC, including the NBA Finals, after Al Michaels' departure.

December 16, 2006: Knicks-Nuggets Brawl

On December 16, 2006, Michael Breen was present for the Knicks–Nuggets brawl with MSG Network.

2006: Lead Announcer for NBA Games

In 2006, Michael Breen became the lead announcer for NBA games on ABC and ESPN, including the NBA Finals.

2008: Calls Basketball at the 2008 Summer Olympics

In 2008, Michael Breen served as a play-by-play announcer for NBC Sports coverage of men's and women's Basketball at the Summer Olympics.

2011: Calls Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Playoffs

In 2011, Michael Breen called Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Playoffs for ESPN and ABC, respectively, while Kenny Albert handled the MSG broadcasts.

June 18, 2013: Calls Game 6 of the NBA Finals

On June 18, 2013, Michael Breen, as ABC's lead play-by-play commentator, called Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat. Ray Allen hit a clutch three-pointer to send the game to overtime, leading to a Heat victory and eventually Game 7.

February 27, 2016: Calls Warriors vs Thunder Game

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

June 19, 2016: Calls Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals

On June 19, 2016, Michael Breen called Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors. LeBron James's block led to a Cavaliers victory, ending Cleveland's 52-year championship drought.

August 23, 2020: Calls Mavericks vs Clippers Game

On August 23, 2020, Michael Breen called Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Clippers, where Luka Doncic made a game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer, securing a 135–133 victory for the Mavericks.

2023: Van Gundy and Jackson's Dismissal

In 2023, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson were dismissed from the network amid ESPN's layoffs, leaving Breen as the only remaining commentator in the lead broadcast team.

2023: New Broadcast Team Lineup

In 2023, Michael Breen remained as the lead commentator after layoffs at ESPN, with Doris Burke and Doc Rivers joining the team.

2024: Further Changes to Broadcast Team

In early 2024, Doc Rivers departed after accepting the head coaching position with the Milwaukee Bucks, and his replacement, JJ Redick, left ESPN after the 2024 NBA Finals to become head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers.

2025: New Primary Broadcast Team

For the 2025 NBA season, ESPN introduced a new primary broadcast team featuring Michael Breen alongside analysts Tim Legler and Richard Jefferson, with Lisa Salters as the lead sideline reporter.