PHOENIX — If you grew up a fan of the Phoenix Suns, there is only one man and one voice that you think of when you hear the word, "Shazam!"
That would be legendary team broadcaster Al McCoy, who has passed away at the age of 91, according to an announcement from the Suns.
McCoy spent 51 years behind the mic calling Suns basketball games from 1972 to 2023.
The Iowa native and Drake University alum's broadcasting career in the Valley began in 1958, when he called games for the Phoenix Giants, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, on KOOL 960 AM. In 1960, after the Giants moved to Tacoma, Wash., McCoy decided to stay in Arizona, becoming a DJ on KRUX 1360 AM, where he was also able to call football and basketball games for the Arizona State Sun Devils.
The Giants returned to Phoenix in 1966, and McCoy called games for the team for three years, before leaving baseball behind.
From 1967 to 1969, McCoy also broadcasted games for the Western Hockey League's Phoenix Roadrunners when the Giants were not playing.
McCoy's foray into basketball began in 1966 when he called a preseason NBA game between the St. Louis Hawks and Golden State Warriors at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Two years later, after the NBA announced that an expansion team would be coming to the Valley, McCoy used a recording of that game to try to convince the team's general manager, Jerry Colangelo, that he should be the voice of the new team, which would be called the Phoenix Suns.
According to McCoy's 2009 biography, 'The Real McCoy,' Colangelo loved what he heard and wanted McCoy to be the play-by-play voice of the Suns, but after the broadcast rights for the Suns were sold to KTAR, the sides were not able to come to an agreement.
McCoy's first Suns broadcast came in 1972 when he called a preseason game against the ABA's Utah Stars. He spent the rest of his career with the team, calling their trips to the NBA Finals in 1976, 1993 and 2021, all unfortunately ending in losses.
When the NBA added the three-point line in 1979, McCoy added what would become his signature catchphrase, "Shazam," to his repertoire, taking it from his favorite superhero, DC's Captain Marvel.
McCoy called games on both radio and TV from 1972 to 2003, when the Suns split the broadcasts. He went on to become the radio voice of the team, a role he would hold until retiring after the 2023 season.
McCoy was gvien the Curt Gowdy Media Award by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. He was inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 2009. The honors continued in 2017, when McCoy was inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor.
McCoy was the 17th member of the Suns Ring of Honor and was the first play-by-play broadcaster to be inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame.
McCoy is survived by his three sons, Mike, Jay and Jerry, along with their wives and his seven grandchildren. His wife, Georgia, passed away in 2012.
McCoy's cause of death has not been announced and funeral services will be announced at a later time, according to the Phoenix Suns.
Statements
After McCoy's passing, several statements were released from McCoy's family and members of the Suns. All of the statements are below.
The McCoy Family
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.
Suns Owner Mat Ishbia
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.
Suns Head Coach Mike Budenholzer
We lost one of my heroes. I can still hear Al’s voice in our living room and backyard calling the plays of Sweet D, Westy and Double A … SHAZAM!!! He brought the Suns into my life, like he did for generations of kids across Arizona. Al was an icon and he will be missed.
Suns Guard Devin Booker
I had the privilege of Al McCoy narrating the first eight years of my career. He was inducted into the Ring of Honor my second season, and it was then I really understood what a special talent he was. And over the course of my career, I’ve learned what an even more special person he was. We will miss Al, and I am so glad our legacies in Phoenix are forever connected.
Former Sun Steve Nash
I got to work with the great Al McCoy for 10 incredible years. His energy and spirit were unmatched and I’ll never forget all the conversations and laughs we shared. He was the teammate that never wore a jersey. He loved his Phoenix Suns as much as anyone and his legacy will endure the generations of Suns fans to come. Lots of love to the one and only Al McCoy.
Former Sun Charles Barkley
This is a sad day for the Suns and the Suns family. 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.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
Al McCoy was a master of his craft. As the longest-tenured team broadcaster in NBA history, he set a high standard throughout his 51 seasons calling Phoenix Suns basketball. He entertained generations of fans with his distinct delivery and unbridled love for the game and was a beloved friend to so many of us in the NBA community. I send my heartfelt condolences to Al's family and the entire Suns organization.
Arizona sports
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events every year, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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