Mike Breen is often celebrated as one of the finest play-by-play analysts in the industry. However, during a recent appearance on The Roommates Show, hosted by Knicks stars Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, Breen shared insights on how he initially felt about his now-iconic “Bang” call after significant shots.
Breen recounted that he began using the call to cheer as a student during Fordham University basketball games, later incorporating it into his radio broadcasts of Fordham games. “When I was a student at Fordham, we all partook in the Fordham radio station. When we attended games we weren’t broadcasting, about ten of us would sit in the stands, cheering for our school. Like the Villanova fans—my wife and daughter are both Villanova grads. When a Fordham player made a big shot, I would yell ‘Bang’ as a fan. I can’t recall how it started, but it just happened. Eventually, when I took on student broadcasting duties, I thought, ‘Why not use it on a big shot?’”
Despite the call being universally adored by basketball enthusiasts, Breen initially believed it wasn’t resonating with audiences until he began calling high school basketball games on TV. “I thought it just didn’t work. I used it a few times and thought ‘This isn’t effective.’ So I stopped using it. After graduating, I started doing TV broadcasts for a high school game of the week. The venues were cramped gyms where the noise levels made it challenging to project my voice.”
“On a big shot at the end of the game, I wanted a succinct call. With the crowd going wild, it was tough for me to shout above them. That’s when I decided to use that one-syllable word, and I found it worked well in those high school games. I primarily use it when the crowd is raucous, as it helps break through the noise. Most often, it’s for the home team, while a big shot on the road doesn’t require it as much. However, when I’m covering the Knicks, I’ll use it regardless of whether it’s a home or away game.”
Mike Breen on how “BANG” started:
“When I was a student at Fordham… we’d go and sit in the stands… when a Fordham player hit a big shot, that’s what I would yell as a fan… as a broadcaster, maybe I’ll do that on a big shot.”
(via @Roommates__Show) pic.twitter.com/15I4Tcm0o7
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) February 6, 2025
Ultimately, Breen’s commitment to the “Bang” call has proven successful, accompanying some of the most unforgettable moments in recent NBA history.
