Detroit Pistons Icon George Blaha Shares Major Career Update
George Blaha, the legendary voice of the Detroit Pistons, is gearing up for his milestone 50th season behind the mic—and he recently shared the surprising story of how it all began, and what’s next as he reflects on nearly five decades in broadcasting.
A Simple Letter That Changed Everything
Speaking with The Detroit Free Press’ Shawn Windsor, Blaha recounted how his career was sparked by a bold move: writing a letter to iconic Detroit Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell in the early 1970s. At the time, Blaha was finishing his studies at the University of Michigan with no broadcasting experience, no demo tape, and no real plan.
To his surprise, Harwell responded and encouraged him to attend the Institute of Broadcast Arts in Royal Oak, a night school focused on the basics of radio and TV announcing. That advice led Blaha to take a 10-week course, recording his first tape while working days unloading trucks.
That first tape landed him a gig calling high school football for WMIC in Sandusky, Michigan. From there, he worked his way up through stations in Adrian and beyond—eventually finding his way to the Pistons.
49 Seasons In—and Still Going
Over the years, Blaha has become the voice of Detroit basketball, synonymous with the Pistons through countless eras. Even open-heart surgery in 2022 didn’t slow him down for long.
Now, at 80 years old, Blaha is determined to make it to his 50th season with the team.
“I’m not missing my 50th, that’s for sure,” he said. “But Father Time is undefeated.”
He joked about finally taking that long-promised trip to Italy with his wife—but with the Pistons turning things around and making the playoffs with a 44-38 record, stepping away isn’t an easy choice.
“I still love this job,” Blaha admitted. “It’s hard to think about walking away.”
He may reduce his schedule slightly, but there’s no sign he’s ready for a full farewell just yet.
A Legacy Built on Passion and Persistence
From that first hopeful letter to a career that’s earned him a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, George Blaha’s story is one of perseverance, opportunity, and a deep love for the game.
As he prepares for his 50th season, one thing’s clear: Detroit basketball wouldn’t be the same without him.
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