Utah Jazz’s Dan Roberts to retire from Public Address Announcer position following 2024-25 season

Salt Lake City, Utah – Dan Roberts, the Utah Jazz’s first and only home arena PA announcer, has declared he will retire at the end of the 2024–25 NBA season. Roberts has been a member of the team since 1979 when they moved to Salt Lake City.

“Dan is much more than just the Jazz’s on-stage vocalist. According to Jim Olson, president of the Utah Jazz, “he’s grown to be a beloved figure in our community who has led generations of fans through some of the most memorable moments in our team’s history.” “We are excited to honor the passion, dedication, and energy Dan has brought to Delta Center over the years, as well as to celebrate his incredible career and the impact he has made on our organization throughout the season.”

Dan Roberts has called over 2,135 games in nearly 45 seasons, according to the team. However, his history with Utah basketball is even more extensive.

Roberts was the voice of the University of Utah men’s basketball team and the PA announcer for the SLC Stars of the American Basketball Association in the 1970s. This features the first-ever meeting between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on the court, which took place in the Special Events Center in Salt Lake City during the 1979 NCAA men’s championship game. The Michigan Spartans, led by Johnson, defeated the Indiana State Sycamores 75–64.

After the Jazz moved from New Orleans to Salt Lake City, Roberts went through an audition process and got hired as the PA announcer. In addition to the All-Star Games in 1993 and 2023, he has called the NBA Finals at the Delta Center in 1997 and 1998.

In addition, Roberts has seen and recounted basketball history, such as Karl Malone’s historic 1990 61-point performance and John Stockton’s 1995 break of the NBA’s all-time assist record.

“In the league, Dan is the best. Jazz basketball legend and current radio analyst Ron Boone (1979–81) adds, “His voice defines Jazz basketball and sets him apart from everyone else.” Over the course of our more than 40 years together as friends and coworkers, his voice has been a continuous presence for both fans and those of us on the court. He always manages to make every play seem bigger than life, and he has had an enormous influence on the Jazz and this neighborhood.

His popularity has grown outside of the Jazz’s home stadium after he began contributing his voice to the well-known NBA 2K video game series in 2021. In addition, he and his son Jeremy Roberts co-hosted the podcast “Voices Behind the Game.” Guests on that podcast include Quin Snyder, Darrell Griffith, Rickey Green, Greg Ostertag, Deron Williams, and Phil Johnson.

This season, the Utah Jazz have announced that they will remember and honor Roberts at their home games. Including, a unique look at his influence and experience with the club through a special Jazz+ alt-cast during a chosen away game (the particular game is unknown).

The group states that anyone who wants to be the next voice of the Utah Jazz can start submitting their applications in early 2025.