MIAMI — David Halberstam, the Miami Heat’s original radio play-by-play announcer, has died after a yearlong battle with brain cancer, according to multiple reports.
Halberstam, 74, spent nearly five decades working in sports broadcasting and management.
He served as the Heat’s radio play-by-play voice from the franchise’s inaugural seasons in 1992 through 1998, helping introduce the expansion team to South Florida fans.
Before joining the Heat, Halberstam was the play-by-play announcer for St. John’s men’s basketball from 1982 to 1992. His Wikipedia states that he later moved into sports media management, serving as executive vice president and general manager of Westwood One Sports from 2002 to 2008.
Halberstam was succeeded as the Heat’s radio voice by Mike Inglis, who later passed the role to current broadcaster Jason Jackson.
Halberstam in 2011 joined the Nova Southeastern University Sharks Athletics family as its Men’s Basketball play-by-play announcer.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Halberstam was also an author and longtime sports executive.
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