List of Detroit Pistons broadcasters

The following is a list of Detroit Pistons broadcasters, past and present.

Radio

The Pistons current flagship radio station is WXYT-FM 97.1. There are several affiliate stations throughout Michigan.[1] The Pistons flagship radio station was WJR-AM from 1969 through 1982.WWJ in late 1980s, WDFN in early 2000s WXYT-FM until the end of the 2013–14 season.

Television

The Pistons current exclusive local television rights holder is Scripps Sports group of local channels, with WMYD as the flagship broadcaster in a syndication network that currently features Grand Rapids Scripps station WXMI, in a contract signed on May 13, 2026. Further stations in the Pistons' region will be announced in the future, primarily as a syndicated offering.[2] Former TV flagship stations include WKBD-TV (1972–2004) and WMYD (2004–2008, sharing rights with WDIV-TV). ON TV, a subscription television service, broadcast games from 1981 to 1983.[3][4]

Announcers and hosts

Television

Radio

  • Bill Flemming, play-by-play announcer (1957–1962)[5]
  • Don Wattrick, play-by-play announcer (1962–1964)[5]
  • Milt Hopwood, play-by-play announcer (1964–1969)[5]
  • Paul Carey, play-by-play announcer (1969–1973)[5]
  • Don Howe, play-by-play announcer (1973–1976)[5]
  • Tom Hemingway, color commentator (1973–1980)
  • George Blaha: play-by-play (1976–1980, 1982–present)[5] Primary radio announcer until 2006. Currently does radio play-by-play when Pistons are on national television.[15][16]
  • Paul Keels, play-by-play announcer (1980–1982)[5]
  • Greg Kelser: color commentator (1988–1993)[8]
  • Mark Champion: radio play-by-play (1991–1996, 2000–present).[17][18]
  • Vinnie Johnson, color commentator (1993–2001)[5]
  • Larry Henry, play-by-play announcer (1996–2000)[5]
  • Rick Mahorn: color commentator (2001–present)[19]

References

  1. ↑ Detroit Pistons Radio Network affiliates
  2. ↑ McCarter, Rebecca. "Detroit Pistons announce new media rights agreement with Scripps Sports". Scripps Media. Retrieved May 16, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Vincent, Charlie (November 10, 1981). "Benson Says Stats Don't Tell the Story". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Basketball Guide, 1982-83. Sporting News Publishing Company. 1982. p. 52.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Addy, Steve (2002). The Detroit Pistons: More Than Four Decades of Motor City Memories. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC. p. 197. ISBN 978-1-58261-553-0. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Family, friends of Fred McLeod gather to say farewell". Click on Detroit. September 13, 2019. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
  7. ↑ Vancil, Mark (September 27, 1985). "Detroit TV job to Loughery". Chicago Sun - Times.
  8. 1 2 "Pistons Announcers - Greg Kelser - television-analyst". National Basketball Association (NBA.com). February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  9. ↑ Grinczel, Steve (2006). Gregory Kelser's Tales From Michigan State Basketball. Illinois: Sports Publishing L.L.C. ISBN 978-1-59670-051-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  10. ↑ "Kelser, Greg | Detroit Historical Society". Detroit Historical Society. February 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  11. ↑ Howe, Dean (October 12, 1990). "McCloskey grows wary of Vinnie's holding out". The Grand Rapids Press.
  12. ↑ Howe, Dean (July 18, 1991). "Rothstein in line for coaching seat, Piston says". The Grand Rapids Press.
  13. ↑ Beardsley, Howie (June 21, 1993). "Need a coaching job? Intern at NBC". The Grand Rapids Press.
  14. ↑ Szczepaniak, Jonathan (July 11, 2025). "Michigan State legend Mateen Cleaves joins Phoenix Suns coaching staff". mlive. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  15. ↑ "Pistons Announcers - George Blaha, play-by-play announcer". National Basketball Association.
  16. ↑ Dayton, Audrey (September 5, 2025). "Voice of MSU football George Blaha inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame - The State News". The State News. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Pistons Announcers - Mark Champion - radio-play-by-play". National Basketball Association (NBA.com). Retrieved February 20, 2026.
  18. ↑ Edwards III, James L. (October 1, 2017). "Sunday Q&A: As Pistons depart Palace, longtime radio voice Mark Champion travels down memory lane - The Athletic". The New York Times / The Athletic. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  19. ↑ "Pistons Announcers - Rick Mahorn - radio-analyst". National Basketball Association (NBA.com). February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 20, 2026.
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