History of Mike Breen in Timeline

Mike Breen is a prominent American play-by-play sports commentator, renowned as the lead announcer for NBA games on ABC and ESPN since 2006, which includes the NBA Finals. He also serves as the main announcer for New York Knicks games on the MSG Network. Before focusing on basketball, Breen also called NFL regular season games for both NFL on Fox and NFL on NBC, along with New York Giants preseason games, showcasing his versatility in sports broadcasting.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

May 22, 1961: Michael Breen Born

On May 22, 1961, Michael Breen was born. He is an American play-by-play sports commentator.

1977: Felix Millan Retired

In 1977, Félix Millán retired. Michael Breen referred to him in his deadpan delivery of false sports news in the mid-1990s.

1979: Graduation from Salesian High School

In 1979, Michael Breen graduated from Salesian High School.

1983: Graduation from Fordham University

In 1983, Michael Breen graduated from Fordham University.

1985: Play-by-play for Marist College

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: Radio Announcer for WFAN

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

1996: 1996 Summer Olympics

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

1997: Television Play-by-Play for the Knicks

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

1998: Joined NBC for NBA Playoffs

In 1998, Michael Breen joined NBC as a backup play-by-play announcer for the NBA playoffs, remaining until 2002.

1999: Backup Announcer on MSG Network

In 1999, Marv Albert returned to MSG Network, and Michael Breen became his backup while continuing as the lead announcer on WFAN.

1999: Called 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.

2000: 2000 Summer Olympics

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

2000: End of Imus in the Morning Show Sports Segment

In 2000, Michael Breen ended his role doing the sports segment on the WFAN and nationally syndicated Imus in the Morning talk/comedy radio show, a role he had held since 1988.

2002: 2002 Winter Olympics

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

2002: End of Tenure at NBC

In 2002, Michael Breen's tenure at NBC ended. He had been working as a backup play-by-play announcer for the NBA playoffs since 1998.

2003: Joined ESPN as Number 3 Announcer

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

November 19, 2004: On Hand for 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 Marv Albert's second dismissal from the network.

2004: 2004 Summer Olympics

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

February 2006: Lead Broadcaster for NBA on ABC

In February 2006, Michael Breen was announced as the lead broadcaster for the NBA on ABC, including the NBA Finals, following Al Michaels' departure.

December 16, 2006: On Hand for Knicks-Nuggets Brawl

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

2006: Lead Announcer for NBA on ABC and ESPN

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

2007: Lead Broadcast Team

In the 2006-2007 season, Michael Breen was part of the lead broadcast team with Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson as analysts. The trio called games until their dismissal from the network.

2008: 2008 Summer Olympics

In 2008, Michael Breen served as a play-by-play announcer for basketball at the Summer Olympics.

2011: Calling Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Playoffs

In 2011, when the Knicks made the NBA Playoffs, Michael Breen called Games 3 and 4 for ESPN and ABC, respectively, and did not call any of the games for MSG.

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

On June 18, 2013, as ABC's lead commentator, Michael Breen 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, and the Heat eventually won.

February 27, 2016: Called 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, where Stephen Curry hit a 38-foot, game-winning three-point shot in overtime.

June 19, 2016: Called 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, where LeBron James made a crucial block and the Cavaliers won, ending Cleveland's 52-year championship drought.

May 14, 2021: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

On May 14, 2021, Michael Breen was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and awarded the Curt Gowdy Media Award, two prestigious accolades.

2022: Sat out of Broadcasting due to COVID-19

In 2022, Michael Breen sat out of Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals and the first two games of the NBA Finals due to a positive COVID-19 test, and was replaced by Mark Jones, and returned in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

2023: Departure of Analysts from ESPN

In 2023, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson's dismissal from ESPN marked the end of Breen's broadcast team of many years.

2023: Sole Remaining Commentator

In 2023, following layoffs including Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, Michael Breen was the only remaining commentator in the lead broadcast team, with Doris Burke and Doc Rivers joining.