From 1975 – 1980 John Sterling was the television announcer of the New York and New Jersey Nets, later filling the same role for the Atlanta Hawks from 1981 – 1989. Now the radio voice of the New York Yankees, Sterling will return to the NBA for one game.
TV home of the Brooklyn Nets, the YES Network, announced Sterling will provide play-by-play for their home game against the Hawks on December 16th.
“John Sterling is one of the pre-eminent play-by-play talents to ever sit behind a mic,” John J. Filippelli, the president of production and programming for YES, said in a statement. “An opportunity presented itself and we decided to gauge his interest. We are both delighted and excited to see John return to the Nets and the NBA.”
A broadcasting iron-man, the 80-year old Sterling has served as the Yankees radio play-by-play announcer since 1989 without missing one day of work. This will mark Sterling’s first game back in the NBA since leaving the Hawks.
“I couldn’t be more excited,” Sterling said in the Yes Network release. “I’ve loved basketball all my life. I broadcast so many years in the ABA and NBA. It’s like coming home again. I’m thrilled.”
Sterling will be joined by analyst Sarah Kustok and sideline reporter Michael Grady for the December 16th game between the Nets and Hawks which will tip-off at 3pm ET.
Brandon Contes is a freelance writer for BSM. He can be found on Twitter @BrandonContes. To reach him by email click here.