Sports Media Report
One of the most dynamic and popular NBA broadcast teams of all-time, the pairing of 2x Hall of Famer Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Hall of Famer Mike Breen, reaches an incredible milestone on February 5th – 25 years as television broadcast partners on MSG Networks, calling more than a thousand New York Knicks games together.
Their first game together as TV partners on MSG Networks was February 5, 1999, a 93-85 Knicks loss to the Orlando Magic that featured a starting lineup of Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell and Charlie Ward. That season, the Knicks reached the NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs.
MSG Networks will celebrate their 25-year journey with a special conversation with Breen and Frazier during the pre and post-game shows on February 6th, bookended around the Knicks / Grizzlies game. The duo will also be celebrated throughout game coverage that evening.
Frazier, the floor general of the Knicks 1970 and 1973 Championship teams is the only person to be elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as both a player and broadcaster, entering the Hall as a player in 1987 and a broadcaster in 2022. “Clyde” was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA history in during the league’s Golden Anniversary in 1996, and one of the top 75 Greatest Players in NBA history when the NBA celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2021. His #10 jersey hangs in the Garden rafters (1979). Known for his on-air stylin’ and profilin’, “Clyde” has bridged the gap between generations of Knicks fans and is a beloved ex-player and broadcaster.
Recognized as the signature voice of the NBA, Breen received the prestigious Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2020, entering the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Breen has called the play-by-play action for the Knicks for 32 years, first on radio, before joining the MSG Network TV team with “Clyde” in 1999. Breen has called the last 18 NBA Finals for ABC/ESPN, the most of any play-by-play announcer.
“We would like to congratulate Mike and ‘Clyde’ on their Silver Anniversary,” said Andrea Greenberg, president and CEO, MSG Networks. “They are an iconic broadcast duo that has left an indelible mark on the New York sports landscape and together have given Knicks fans so many great memories throughout their historic run.”
Walt Frazier – “Working with Mike for twenty-five years has been magnificent. It’s changed my life. He gave me a lot of confidence. I remember the first time we met, he told me, ‘Clyde, just do your thing. The fans want to hear what you have to say. Don’t worry about the nuances of radio.’ So that gave me a lot of confidence, and we became a formidable team because of our mutual respect for each other.”
Mike Breen – “Clyde has been a NY treasure for over 5 decades. For Knick fans, he has been the gift that keeps on giving. He may be known to most as the Hall of Fame player and broadcaster, but to our MSG Network crew, he’s our beloved friend. For me personally, Clyde has been one of the great blessings of my life.”
Longtime MSG Networks Knicks Director – Howie Singer – “It has been such an honor to work with these two legends for their entire run together. They are both Hall of Fame broadcasters, but more importantly, they are Hall of Fame people.”
Longtime MSG Networks Knicks Producer – Spencer Julien – “I’m truly stylin’ and profilin’ being able to work with two Hall of Famers game in and game out. Mike and Clyde are synonymous with Knicks basketball, and this has been a dream job for all of us. Here’s to 25 more years of this Dynamic Duo!”
