Latest news with #JimFagan
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
NBC will use AI voice of Jim Fagan, who died in 2017, when NBA returns to network
NBC will use AI voice of Jim Fagan, who died in 2017, when NBA returns to network Show Caption Hide Caption Previewing the Warriors and Timberwolves matchup in the NBA playoffs USA TODAY's Lorenzo Reyes breaks down his thoughts on Steph Curry and the aging Warriors team going up against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves. Sports Pulse When the NBA returns to NBC next season, one of the network's signature voices will be back – sort of. NBC announced former narrator Jim Fagan will be used as part of its coverage and promotion of the league for the 2025-26 season. While the name may not sound familiar, perhaps his voice does: Fagan was the voice of NBC's NBA coverage from 1990-2002, hyping up games featuring stars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. However, there is a catch with the return of Fagan. He actually died in 2017, so NBC will be using AI voice synthesis technology to re-create his voice and use it for title sequences, show opens and promotions. The network shared a preview of what it will sound like hearing Fagan's voice again. How is NBC using Jim Fagan's voice? Fagan's voice will be used thanks to a partnership with his family. The use of AI comes after NBC did something similar for the 2024 Paris Olympics, when Al Michaels' voice was used for its "Your Daily Olympic Recap on Peacock" feature. "We're deeply grateful that NBC Sports had the vision to honor our father's legacy in such a meaningful way," his daughters Jana Silvia Joyce and Risa Silvia-Koonin said in a statement. "He took great pride in his work with NBC Sports, especially in helping set the stage for some of the most memorable moments in NBA history. Knowing that his voice will once again be part of the game he loved − and that a new generation of fans will get to experience it − is incredibly special for our family. He would be so thrilled and proud to be a part of this. It's been a true pleasure working with NBC Sports on this project." The use of Fagan's voice adds another element of nostalgia to NBC's production when professional basketball returns to the network. The network previously announced the iconic "Roundball Rock" NBA anthem will be used for games. While a nice blast from the past, the news of Fagan's voice being used drew some mixed reactions. NBC said Fagan's voice will "supplement traditional voiceover work" from other artists NBC features. NBC's coverage on the NBA begins in October as it is part of the 11-year, $76 billion deal alongside Disney (ABC/ESPN) and Amazon.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NBC to use AI voice of late narrator on NBA coverage
Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Yahoo is using AI to generate takeaways from this article. This means the info may not always match what's in the article. Reporting mistakes helps us improve the experience. Generate Key Takeaways (NewsNation) — NBC Sports will be bringing some history to its upcoming NBA broadcasts. Ahead of its rights deal beginning at the onset of the next NBA season, NBC announced the return of legendary — and deceased — announcer Jim Fagan. The famed narrator died in 2017. Before his death, Fagan was a beloved figure of NBC's NBA broadcasts from 1990 to 2002. Fagan's voice will be used after approval from his family. 'For many basketball fans, Jim's unique and recognizable voice immediately conjures a deep sense of nostalgia for a special time in NBA history,' NBC Sports President Rick Cordella said in a release. '90s WWE wrestler accused of trying to buy child pornography in Tennessee 'His voice perfectly captured the magnitude of the heavyweight matchups and stars that he was introducing. It's been a joy to work with Jim's family to recreate his voice and honor his legacy. I'm excited we're able to introduce his voice to a whole new generation of fans,' Cordella added. Currently, the NBA season is still ongoing with the conference semifinals underway. Golden State, Minnesota, Denver and Oklahoma City are battling it out for the Western Conference title. In the Eastern Conference, New York, Boston, Indiana and Cleveland remain. The NBA Finals is scheduled to begin June 5, with ABC the host broadcaster as in previous years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NBC to use AI generation to bring back announcer Jim Fagan's voice for NBA broadcasts next season
Fans will have a familiar voice greet them when they turn into an "NBA on NBC" broadcast for the first time in two decades. It will be from a different source. NBC announced Tuesday it will recreate the voice of former NBA announcer Jim Fagan, who died in 2017, using AI generation tools for "select title sequences, show opens, and promos for its upcoming NBA coverage." The network uploaded a sample of what's to come on its YouTube page. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. The original, for reference: To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here and view the "Content and social-media partners" setting to do so. The re-creation of Fagan's voice is reportedly done with the consent of his family. The network included a statement attributed to his daughters Jana Silvia Joyce and Risa Silvia-Koonin saying they were pleased they will be able to hear something resembling their father's voice on broadcasts again: 'We're deeply grateful that NBC Sports had the vision to honor our father's legacy in such a meaningful way. He took great pride in his work with NBC Sports, especially in helping set the stage for some of the most memorable moments in NBA history. Knowing that his voice will once again be part of the game he loved — and that a new generation of fans will get to experience it — is incredibly special for our family. He would be so thrilled and proud to be a part of this. It's been a true pleasure working with NBC Sports on this project.' This is the second time NBC has used AI to bring back one of its classic voices, as it quietly used a program featuring a voice of the still-alive Al Michaels to offer personalized recaps of the 2024 Olympics in Paris on its Peacock streaming service. Using the voice of a dead man as a prominent feature of its return to NBA broadcasting represents a more aggressive move, though, as AI continues to be a hot-button issue in a number of industries. However, NBC did note in its release that the Fagan bot will "supplement traditional voiceover work by other artists hired by NBC Sports." As for real human beings, NBC has made a number of hires to fill out its studio and broadcasting booth. With in-house play-by-play men Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle already on hand, the network has brought on NBA greats Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford, both coming from TNT, as color commentators, while Carmelo Anthony will serve as a studio analyst. In news that will make a certain segment of fans the most happy, NBC confirmed last weekend that its beloved anthem of "Roundball Rock" by John Tesh will be making a return as well, as you can hear in the AI Fagan video above. NBC Sports president Rick Cordella has also said they will show pregame player introductions, a portion of the game that is rarely shown on modern broadcasts after being a staple of the 90s.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
NBC to use AI generation to bring back announcer Jim Fagan's voice for NBA broadcasts next season
Fans will have a familiar voice greet them when they turn into an "NBA on NBC" broadcast for the first time in two decades. It will be from a different source. NBC announced Tuesday it will recreate the voice of former NBA announced Jim Fagan, who died in 2017, using AI generation tools for"select title sequences, show opens, and promos for its upcoming NBA coverage." The network uploaded a sample of what's to come on its YouTube page. The original, for reference: The re-creation of Fagan's voice is reportedly done with the consent of his family. The network included a statement attributed to his daughters Jana Silvia Joyce and Risa Silvia-Koonin saying they were pleased they will be able to hear something resembling their father's voice on broadcasts again: 'We're deeply grateful that NBC Sports had the vision to honor our father's legacy in such a meaningful way. He took great pride in his work with NBC Sports, especially in helping set the stage for some of the most memorable moments in NBA history. Knowing that his voice will once again be part of the game he loved—and that a new generation of fans will get to experience it—is incredibly special for our family. He would be so thrilled and proud to be a part of this. It's been a true pleasure working with NBC Sports on this project.' Advertisement This is the second time NBC has used AI to bring back one of its classic voices, as it quietly used a program featuring a voice of the still-alive Al Michaels to offer personalized recaps of the 2024 Olympics in Paris on its Peacock streaming service. Using the voice of a dead man as a prominent feature of its return to NBA broadcasting represents a more aggressive move, though, as AI continues to be a hot-button issue in a number of industries. However, NBC did note in its release that the Fagan bot will "supplement traditional voiceover work by other artists hired by NBC Sports." NBC Sports is using some very modern technology to lean into nostalgia with its "NBA on NBC broadcasts. (Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images) (Visionhaus via Getty Images) As for real human beings, NBC has made a number of hires to fill out its studio and broadcasting booth. With in-house play-by-play men Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle already on hand, the network has brought on NBA greats Reggie Miller and Jamal Crawford, both coming from TNT, as color commentators, while Carmelo Anthony will serve as a studio analyst. In news that will make a certain segment of fans the most happy, NBC confirmed last weekend that its beloved anthem of "Roundball Rock" by John Tesh will be making a return as well, as you can hear in the AI Fagan video above. NBC Sports president Rick Cordella has also said they will show pregame player introductions, a portion of the game that is rarely shown on modern broadcasts after being a staple of the 90s.
New York Post
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
AI-generated voice of former narrator Jim Fagan to be featured next NBA season, NBC Sports says
NBA fans' viewing experience will look different later this year, but there will also be a touch of nostalgia. Last summer, Comcast/NBC Universal closed an 11-year agreement for the rights to regular and postseason NBA and WNBA games. Advertisement Those games will be presented across the network's linear and streaming platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season. As viewers prepare to make an adjustment to their habits for the fall, the network announced an AI-powered tool will help bring back a 1990s feel. The late Jim Fagan, whose iconic voice became synonymous with NBC programming in the '90s, will be part of NBA coverage going forward – thanks to artificial intelligence. The AI-generated voice of Fagan will be deployed for NBC's coverage of the league. Advertisement The re-created voice will also be heard in select promotional elements starting in October. Those elements will include some title sequences, show opens, and other promos, NBC announced in a press release. The company will utilize other voiceover artists for more traditional work. Fagan's family granted NBC Sports permission to use AI voice synthesis technology to re-create the famed narrator's voice. Advertisement The late Jim Fagan, who was the iconic voice of 'NBA on NBC' during its initial run from 1990-2002, will be heard once again thanks to artificial intelligence. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Fagan's daughters, Jana Silvia Joyce and Risa Silvia-Koonin, issued a statement saying in part: 'We're deeply grateful that NBC Sports had the vision to honor our father's legacy in such a meaningful way.' 'For many basketball fans, Jim's unique and recognizable voice immediately conjures a deep sense of nostalgia for a special time in NBA history,' Rick Cordella, NBC Sports president said in a statement. 'His voice perfectly captured the magnitude of the heavyweight matchups and stars that he was introducing. It's been a joy to work with Jim's family to re-create his voice and honor his legacy. I'm excited we're able to introduce his voice to a whole new generation of fans.' Advertisement Fagan played college football at West Virginia. He passed away in 2017. Fagan's AI-generated voice will be used for NBC's coverage of the league, along with being incorporated in select promotional elements beginning in October. Christopher Sadowski Amazon is one of three partners in the record $76 billion media rights deal with the NBA. Disney, ESPN's parent company, will continue its partnership with the league, per the terms of the latest agreement. 'NBA on NBC' ran from 1990-2002. TNT's partnership with the NBA began in 1989, with its 'Inside the NBA' studio show gaining popularity over the decades. But in July 2024, the NBA rejected a bid from TNT's parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), to exercise its right to match an offer from Amazon for a part of the league's media rights deal. Advertisement In May 2024, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed confidence that at least two of the 'Inside the NBA' stars will continue to cover the NBA for years to come, regardless of which network holds the broadcasting rights. 'We're never gonna lose Charles (Barkley) and Kenny (Smith),' Silver said. 'They're always going to be covering the NBA.… I can't imagine those guys [on 'Inside the NBA'] won't be performing and announcing together in the future, and we all love them.' Advertisement All four prominent faces of 'Inside the NBA' will ultimately remain together, as the program will be licensed to ESPN starting with the 2025-26 season. The league's current media rights deal will expire in June after the NBA Finals.
