Al Trautwig, who holds a special place in the hearts of New York Knicks and Rangers fans, has passed away just days before his 69th birthday. Knicks analyst Alan Hahn shared the sad news about his friend and former MSG Networks colleague in a social media post on Monday morning.
I’m sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that.
He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was, personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career.
Rest in peace, @AlTrautwig. 💔 pic.twitter.com/E1z3pxS2gm
— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) February 24, 2025
Hahn expressed his sorrow, stating, “I’m sad to share the news that we lost a legendary voice in sports. But we lost a lot more than that. He was not only a friend, but a mentor and a teacher. He was personally, one of my biggest resources of support when I moved into this career.”
Throughout his career, Trautwig covered a total of 16 Olympics for NBC and ABC, showcasing his versatility as a sports broadcaster. However, in New York, he is fondly remembered for over 30 years as a studio host on MSG.
Trautwig took a leave of absence in September 2019 after appearing unwell during a Rangers preseason broadcast. He made a brief return in December for a pre-recorded interview with then Rangers president John Davidson, marking his final appearance on MSG. This leave extended into the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the end of Trautwig’s time with MSG in 2021 when the network chose not to renew his contract.
Almost exactly a year ago, Newsday’s Neil Best spoke to Trautwig about plans to write a book and left open the possibility of returning to television. Despite his departure being somewhat unceremonious, New York sports fans and media continue to remember Trautwig’s substantial impact.
