Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Mike Breen Receives Big Career Update Before 2025 NBA Playoffs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Spencer Ostrow | Last updated Apr 16, 2025 3:39 PM ET

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are right around the corner, with the Milwaukee Bucks and Indiana Pacers set to tip things off Saturday at 1 p.m. ET. In the meantime, the Play-In Tournament is underway as several teams battle to make the postseason.

ESPN and ABC will carry many of the NBA playoff games, and fans can bet that Mike Breen will be on the call.

Breen has become one of the most iconic voices in basketball over the years. He's most known for his signature "Bang!" call whenever a player hits a clutch shot in a big moment.

On Wednesday, before Breen was live on the air for a Play-In game between the Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls, he was named to the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences' (NATAS) Silver Circle honor society.

"Congrats to ESPN & ABC #NBA voice Mike Breen on being named to NATAS' Silver Circle honor society," ESPN wrote on social media.

Congrats to ESPN & ABC #NBA voice Mike Breen on being named to NATAS' Silver Circle honor society

Recognizing his legendary career behind the mic - including a record 19 NBA Finals & being an iconic voice that has defined basketball for generations pic.twitter.com/VopFj8yNNP
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) April 16, 2025

NATAS' Silver Circle honor society recognizes certain individuals who "have been actively engaged in television broadcasting for 25 years or more (with at least half of those years in the chapter region), made a significant contribution to their local television markets and distinguished themselves within the industry and the community."

Breen, 63, began his play-by-play duties and kickstarted his career in 1985, calling games for Marist University’s basketball team. He later became the radio voice of the New York Knicks before making the move to television in 1997.

A proud Fordham University alum, Breen joined NBC a few years later and eventually became the lead broadcaster for ABC. All these years later, he’s called 19 NBA Finals and will soon call his 20th in June.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: