GEORGE BLAHA [DETROIT PISTONS PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER]

by DETROIT PISTONS 2021 MEDIA GUIDE

A local broadcasting icon and one of the most recognizable personalities in Detroit and the NBA, George Blaha begins his 45th consecutive season as the television and radio play-by-play voice of the Detroit Pistons in 2020-21. The “Voice of the Pistons” is the longest tenured play-by-play announcer in the State of Michigan. Blaha brings a high-energy style to go with his extensive basketball knowledge and demonstrates a true passion for Pistons basketball. His trademark colloquialisms such as, “two and twenty-two to play”, “a high glass gun that goes” and “count that baby and a foul” have thrilled Pistons fans of all ages for over four decades. 

Blaha, an inductee into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, has been the recipient of many industry awards, including the Ty Tyson Award for broadcasting excellence by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association in 2002 and Michigan Sports Broadcaster of the Year from the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association in 2003 and 2007. 

Blaha handles play-by-play duties on either television or radio for all 82 regular-season games plus pre and post-season games on FS Detroit and 97.1 FM - the Pistons flagship stations. In addition to his Pistons responsibilities, Blaha has handled play-by-play duties for Michigan State Football since 1971. In 2002, he was made an honorary alumnus of Michigan State University and in 2008, named an honorary member of the Spartan S Letterman’s Club. 

During the Pistons off-season, Blaha stays active as a Pistons ambassador making appearances at charitable and community events. His annual “High Hopes” golf outing for the Vista Maria home for abused young women in the metropolitan area, has raised nearly $1 million for the charity. He is also the honorary chairman of the annual golf outing for the St. Louis Center for the developmentally disabled. Blaha serves as spokesman and fundraiser for the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society, benefiting neglected and abused animals in the City of Detroit. In addition, Blaha is actively involved with the Inkster Legends free youth basketball camp and the Detroit Roadrunners youth basketball club. 

Born in Detroit, Blaha was raised in Marshalltown, Iowa and Grayling, Michigan. He graduated with a B.A. in economics from Notre Dame University and earned an MBA from the University of Michigan. George and his wife, Mary, reside in Troy and Gaylord with their dog Misty, a Vizsla.