The Knicks have selected veteran play‑by‑play announcer Mike Breen, the long‑time voice of both ABC and MSG, to serve as emcee for the team’s championship ceremony at New York City Hall, according to sources.
The announcement comes from Stefan Bondy of the New York Post, who reports that Breen will also join the larger parade along New York’s “Canyon of Heroes.”
Breen, who grew up as a Knicks fan in Yonkers, New York, attended Fordham University and has been involved with the franchise’s broadcasts since 1991. He began on Knicks radio on WFAN, transitioned to television for the 1997‑98 season—replacing Marv Albert after Albert’s firing—and returned to radio from 1999 to 2004 before resuming his TV role, where he remains today.
On the national stage, Breen worked with NBC as a backup NBA announcer and primary WNBA voice from 1998 to 2002. He joined ESPN in 2003, became the network’s lead NBA caller in 2006, and has since narrated every NBA Finals.
During the decisive Game 5 of the 2023 Finals, Breen’s iconic call captured the moment: “It’s over! It’s over! Knick fans, this is not a dream! Your long, long wait is ended. Go ahead and cry: after 53 years, the Knicks are finally NBA Champions once again!”
The choice follows a recent precedent. Joe Davis, the Dodgers’ local play‑by‑play voice who also broadcasts nationally, hosted Los Angeles’s championship parade after their 2025 World Series title. The arrangement drew criticism from some fans and media figures, most notably Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who expressed dismay at a national announcer’s perceived bias in celebrating a rival’s victory.
While Breen’s deep roots as a New York broadcaster may invite similar scrutiny, his longstanding reputation for professionalism suggests the role will be well received by most Knicks supporters.