MESA, ARIZ. — He was the distinguished radio voice for the National Basketball Association’s Phoenix Suns for more than 50 years, and called the team’s games from September 27, 1972 through his final broadcast on May 11, 2023.
Now, Al McCoy is being remembered for his remarkable career following his passing at the age of 91.
News of McCoy’s death surfaced over the weekend.
Born in 1933 in Williams, Iowa, McCoy began his radio career in 1951 while still a freshman at Drake University. He moved to Arizona in 1956 to call games for the Triple-A Phoenix Giants minor league baseball team. This served as a beginning of a career that led to his induction into the Phoenix Suns’ Ring of Honor. McCoy was also inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, in 2009, and received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007.
Throughout his broadcasting career with Suns, McCoy became known for his catchphrases “Shazam” and “Zing Go the Strings.”
In a statement released by the Suns, the McCoy family said, “As a father, he taught us the value of respect, loyalty, hard work, and love – both on and off the court. His passion, dedication and kindness touched countless lives, and while he may be gone, the impact he made will be felt for generations to come.”
Phoenix Suns Owner Mat Ishbia commented, “From his first call in 1972 to his last in 2023, Al McCoy was there for every defining moment in our history. He was the heartbeat of our organization, a cherished friend, a mentor to many and a legend whose voice brought countless unforgettable moments to life for generations of Suns fans. We are heartbroken by the passing of our beloved Al, the voice of the Phoenix Suns for over five decades. Our thoughts go out to Al’s family, friends and to our entire Suns community.”
Skyview Networks Founder and Executive Chairman Ken Thiele, whose company is based in the Phoenix area, remarked, “Al was a gem of a gentleman, a special person, and the best of the best with his craft. His broadcast style made the Phoenix Suns a must-listen for generations of fans. Al will be sorely missed, and I am grateful for the friendship I had with him through the years.”
Sportscaster and former Suns star Charles Barkley also chimed in on McCoy’s passing. “This is a sad day for the Suns and the Suns family,” Barkley said. “Al McCoy represented everything that is great about Phoenix, the Phoenix Suns and people who love basketball. I was blessed and honored to work with Al and I’m gonna miss him.”
The Suns’ current flagship radio stations in Bonneville International‘s KMVP “Arizona Sports 98.7.” From 1976 through at least the 2011-2012 season, the team’s games aired on KTAR-AM 620 — a station once led by Erik Hellum, today the Chief Operating Officer for Townsquare Media.
“Al was one of the best NBA broadcasters ever, and his passing truly marks the end of an era,” Hellum tells RBR+TVBR. “But as great as he was professionally, he was an even better human being, and it was my honor to be able to work with Al at KTAR in Phoenix. One of my favorite career moments was a road trip to Springfield, Mass., to see Al receive the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 (joined by my friend and current Bonneville Market Manager Ryan Hatch). Nobody deserved that award more!”
— With reporting by Cameron Coats in New York and Adam R Jacobson in Boca Raton, Fla.
