David J. Halberstam obit

Sports broadcaster, author David J. Halberstam dies

 

He was not on the list.

Sports broadcaster and author David J. Halberstam passed away Tuesday after a year long battle with brain cancer. Halberstam spent almost fifty years in some version of sports, including as play-by-play announcer for St. John’s basketball from 1982-1992 and the Heat from 1992–1998. Halberstam also spent years in sales and broadcast management, including as EVP & GM of Westwood One Sports from 2002-2008. He wrote two books: 1998’s “Sports on New York Radio: A Play-by-Play History,” on radio sports history, and 2016’s “Sports Media and Sponsorship Sales: Developing New Accounts, on advertising sales. Halberstam launched sportsbroadcastjournal.com in 2018 (Sports Broadcast Journal).

Halberstam wrote a number of op-eds for SBJ over the years:

It’s more than a numbers game behind the mic

Greatest ever on the air? Here’s one take.

Creativity can help radio play-by-play grow into its second century

Opportunities in sports business begin with communication

Halberstam’s over-50-year career in sports media spanned several roles, including play-by-play announcer for St. John’s Red Storm basketball from 1982 to 1992, and the radio voice of the Miami Heat from 1992 to 1998. An unfortunate on-air comment ultimately led to his parting ways with the franchise.

Halberstam (not to be confused with the Pulitzer Prize-winning writer of the same name) transitioned into sales and broadcast management, including a stint as general manager at Westwood One Sports between 2002 and 2008. He also formed the Madison Square Garden Radio Network.

Halberstam returned to the booth as play-by-play voice of the Nova Southeastern University Sharks men’s basketball team between 2011 and 2019.

In 2018, he launched Sports Broadcast Journal, a publication dedicated to covering the sports broadcasting industry. He also wrote two books: “Sports on New York Radio: A Play-by-Play History” and “Sports Media and Sponsorship Sales: Developing New Accounts.” Halberstam also continued to write columns and broadcasting criticism up until last year.

As news of Halberstam’s passing spread across social media, tributes poured in from colleagues, peers, and others in the sports media world.

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