The Phoenix Suns lost one of their dearest family members over the weekend.
The team announced that Al McCoy, who was the radio voice of the Suns for 51 years, passed away at the age of 91.
In a statement released on X, the Suns said “His voice, his passion and his joy were legendary.”
Suns owner Mat Ishbia stated, “He was the heartbeat of our organization, a cherished friend, a mentor to many and a legend whose voice brought countless unforgettable moments to life for generations of Suns fans.”
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) September 21, 2024
McCoy had the honor of being the longest-tenured team broadcaster in NBA history.
He got his start back in 1972 and called his last game on May 11, 2023.
He saw a lot during that time, including the rise of the Suns and their Finals appearances in 1976, 1993, and 2021.
McCoy was born in 1933 in Iowa and started working in radio in the early 1950s.
After college, he moved to Arizona and started doing play-by-play commentary for the Phoenix Giants baseball team.
McCoy added a ton of flavor to the games and was known for some of his famous catchphrases such as “Shazam.”
In fact, “Shazam” is how the Suns concluded their heartfelt message about McCoy’s passing.
McCoy leaves behind a wonderful legacy in Phoenix and will be remembered for a long time.
His career highlights just how important announcers are to the teams they work for.
Although they are never on the court, they become a vital part of a team’s culture and are usually fan favorites.
This statement makes it very clear that McCoy will be dearly missed by the Suns.
