Utah Jazz Honor PA Announcer Dan Roberts Ahead Of Retirement
Apr 9, 2025, 8:24 PM | Updated: Apr 14, 2025, 1:09 pm
SALT LAKE CITY- Long-time Utah Jazz PA announcer Dan Roberts will be retiring following the conclusion of the regular season, with his last game behind the microphone coming on Friday, April 11, against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Tonight against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Jazz paid tribute to the voice of the franchise with a touching video that featured former players describing the impact Roberts was able to have on the environment within Delta Center for so many years.
𝑯𝒐𝒘 ‘𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑱𝒂𝒛𝒛 is a phrase that will live on in Jazz history forever.
After 46 incredible seasons, we celebrate Dan Roberts tonight and all the love he’s given to this organization 🎤🏔️💜
Show some love for Dan ⤵️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/pmGjLr7QqV
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 10, 2025
Pregame, Utah Jazz head coach Will Hardy even talked about the effect he has seen Dan Roberts cultivate in just his three years in Salt Lake.
“It’s important because it can help dictate the energy of the crowd. It’s a voice, whether you’re intentionally focused on it or not, it’s going to be the sound that you know,” Hardy said. “Obviously, this tenure here speaks for itself, 46 years, over 2100 games. You know, on a personal level, it’s a voice I’ll never forget hearing for the first time over the loudspeaker, ‘and head coach for the Utah Jazz, Will Hardy.’ You know, he’s been a massive part of our fans’ experience in our home games.”
Roberts’ first game was in 1979, and his last will be in 2025, marking 46 years as the Utah Jazz PA announcer, making him the longest-tenured announcer in the NBA.
As a part of the tribute, Dan was given the opportunity to address the fans in Delta Center, signing off with his signature saying, “How ’bout this Jazz!”
The @utahjazz honor Dan Roberts midway through the second quarter in the penultimate game of his distinguished career as the voice of the franchise. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/gZXY94qOQ1
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 10, 2025
Honoring Dan Roberts
To honor Roberts, the Jazz will feature a special alternate broadcast on the Jazz+ streaming service showing the legendary voice executing his duties throughout he game.
Watch Dan Roberts himself call the game during tomorrow’s Alt-Cast on JAZZ+ 💜📺
Read more about our plans to celebrate Dan ahead of his final home game 📓 https://t.co/nPyIVhTKXH#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/nsb9XKcxKy
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) April 8, 2025
Roberts moved to Utah with his parents in 1952 before attending Skyline High School.
After graduating, Roberts began working as a radio DJ alongside legendary broadcaster Grant Nielsen who had been the public address announcer for the ABA’s Utah Stars before accepting a job in Seattle.
Roberts replaced Nielsen, voicing the Stars until the franchise folded in 1976, then became the in-arena announcer for the University of Utah under head coach Jerry Pimm.
When Sam Battistone chose to relocate the New Orleans Jazz to Salt Lake City in 1979, Roberts was hired to voice the team.
After 45 seasons, more than 2,135 games and more iconic calls than we could count, next season will be the final one for the longest-tenured PA announcer in the NBA.
Thank you, Dan Roberts. We can’t wait to celebrate you this year 🎤💜 pic.twitter.com/zXk4Rj4fhx
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) September 13, 2024
“I had to audition and get through the usual procedures,” Roberts told KSL Sports, “but that’s when it all started.”
During his run with the Jazz, Roberts has voiced over 2,150 games, including the NBA All-Star game in 1993 and 2023.
