Three years ago, when Michael Grady joined WRTV-6 in Indianapolis as a sports reporter, I wrote: “If I was ESPN or FOX Sports 1, I’d hire Grady immediately and not look back.”
Turns out a sports network finally took that advice.
It wasn’t a matter of if, only when…
The uber-talented and versatile Michael Grady, a graduate of Warren Central High School, is moving to New York after being hired as the sideline reporter for Brooklyn Nets broadcasts on the YES Network.
Grady announced the news publicly on Twitter Thursday afternoon.
“It’s been a dream come true to work in my home town – as PA Announcer for the Pacers, anchoring sportscasts for RTV6, and on the radio with Big Joe on The Fan. But the goal is to push the limits. See how far you can ascend, so that you can make your friends, family, and community proud …. and for your own personal fulfillment.”
His final show on RTV6 will be Sunday night on Sports Xtra. Grady will continue to co-host The Grady and Big Joe Show weekdays from 10:00 am to noon on ESPN 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis.
That, however, may prove to be a challenge in mid-October when the NBA regular season begins. The sideline reporter travels to all games and typically spends time at morning shootaround — hour-long sessions overlapping with the time of his radio show — talking with players on both teams for interviews that air during their pre-game show, and to use in his sideline reporting.
And how’s this for fun: His first regular-season broadcast on YES will originate from … Indianapolis. The Nets’ season opener is against the Pacers on Wednesday, Oct. 18. That will be special for the born-and-raised Hoosier.
Although the Nets are one of the league’s worst teams, this is an elite gig. He’s joining one of the best broadcasting teams in the NBA.
There’s the New York Knicks on MSG Network, headlined by Mike Breen, and there’s the Nets on YES, headlined by Ian Eagle. Both are national broadcasters (and Hall of Fame guys) who are exceptionally good as the TV play-by-play voice of the team.
Grady will team up with Eagle (Ryan Ruocco, who also calls games for ESPN is his fill-in) and Sarah Kustok, the former sideline reporter who is sliding to the broadcast table as an analyst. Eagle has been voted the New York Sportscaster of the Year in three of the last four years, including for 2016.
“I’m psyched,” Kustok said of her new role (on the Road Trippin’ with RJ & Channing podcast).
“I get to play a game that Richard’s in… It’s incredible. Trying to figure out the transition. I had went to grad school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I was a math nerd. I was going to go into business, I was going to go into accounting or finance. But I wanted to stay around the game and I think that’s what drew me to TV.
“And so the opportunity to call games, this is not work. It’s a dream to get to do.”
Grady has been the Pacers PA announce since the 2010-11 season.
In addition to hosting a daily sports talk show and being a sports reporter on the local ABC affiliate, Grady has been a constant at the scorer’s table for Pacers and Fever games, along with special events like the Crossroads Classic and NCAA Tournament Regional held at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
He started with Pacers Sports & Entertainment as a game emcee, and then took over for Reb Porter as the public address announcer for Pacers games beginning with the 2010-11 season.
This news, I’m told, has the Pacers now in the planning stages for what’s next, in terms of who will replace Grady as the voice inside The Fieldhouse.
(There was also a short stint where he was the pre-game host and reporter for games on the Pacers Radio Network.)
Michael also has a passion for fashion and photography, launching naptography one year ago. He’ll be able to take those interests to another level in New York, and on his travels with the Nets across the United States.
Beyond being a versatile, reliable voice and personality, Michael is a good guy who you want representing your company or team. His advice to aspiring broadcasters is to say “Yes” to any opportunity. That’s what he did as he patiently ascended up the ranks.
(Grady will be a guest on the Vigilant Sports Pacers Podcast next week, so be on the look-out for that.)
“I will still have a home here,” he added, “figuratively and literally … and will be back in the offseason, ESPECIALLY during the month of May.
“So this isn’t goodbye. This is thank you.”
Grady’s entire farewell message shared on Twitter:
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Indy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mOOP9BwiH6
— Michael Grady (@Grady) September 14, 2017
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZCMj6PHRFW/
While I’m happy fooypu and can’t blame you for leaving Indy, I have to admit that this leaves me sad; I love hearing your reports with what I call your fantastic “radio voice.” I’ll miss you; the best of everything in your new adventure!
*for you
MG is outstanding in whatever role he is in… and Indy is fortunate that he will plans to continue the radio show. (Although it will prove to be incredibly difficult, in my opinion.)