Legendary Detroit Pistons radio and TV play-by-play announcer George Blaha was honored with the 2025 Curt Gowdy Media Award during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony on September 5.
Blaha, who has been behind the mic for the Pistons for 49 seasons, used his acceptance speech to reflect on a milestone year ahead. “I’ll start my 50th year broadcasting Detroit Pistons basketball this fall,” he said in an article posted to the Michigan Association of Broadcasters website. “It has been an awesome ride, describing the excitement that the Pistons have brought to the game, the great state of Michigan, and the entire basketball world.”
Raised in Grayling, MI, Blaha has called more than 3,400 Pistons regular-season games, over 260 playoff contests, and all three of the team’s NBA championships (1989, 1990, 2004). In addition to his Pistons duties, he has been the voice of Michigan State Football since 1971, making him one of the longest-serving dual-sport broadcasters in the country.
Blaha’s career is decorated with industry honors. He was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2014. His accolades include the Ty Tyson Award for broadcasting excellence from the Detroit Sports Media Association and two Michigan Sportscaster of the Year honors from the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association (2003, 2007).