Mike Breen Opposes NBA's Exclusive Playoff Broadcast Policy

Veteran NBA broadcaster Mike Breen voiced strong opposition to the league's new policy eliminating local television coverage of playoff games during the New York Knicks' regular-season finale against the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

For the first time in NBA history, all postseason broadcasts, starting with the first round, will be exclusive to national partners ESPN, NBC and Amazon Prime Video. This marks a departure from previous years, when local networks could air home-team games alongside national feeds. Breen, who serves as the play-by-play announcer for both the Knicks' MSG Network and ESPN's national coverage, made his remarks in the third quarter of the Knicks' 110-96 loss, which clinched the No. 9 seed for Charlotte in the Eastern Conference.

"This is the first time ever that no longer can the home team announcers and broadcasters televise the first round," Breen said on the MSG broadcast. "The entire playoffs exclusive to the national TV partners. I personally think it's a poor decision." He emphasized the emotional bond fans share with local voices, adding, "Fans want to hear their teams' announcers, at least in the first round. Because, for...