Timberwolves hire new TV voice Michael Grady from YES Network
The Minnesota Timberwolves have found Dave Benz's replacement: Michael Grady, who comes to Minnesota after spending the past six years working at the YES Network in New York.
Grady, 39 and originally from Indiana, was primarily a sideline reporter and pre- and post-game host for Brooklyn Nets games at YES Network, though he also filled in as the play-by-play announcer from time to time.
He replaces Benz, whose contract wasn't renewed following his 10th season.
“Today is a thrilling day for myself and my family as this has been my lifelong dream to be an NBA play-by-play announcer,” said Grady, in a press release. “I can’t wait to join Jim Petersen and the rest of the Bally Sports North crew calling games for this exciting franchise. I also look forward to interacting with our phenomenal Timberwolves fans and partners in the community to continue to tell the stories of this great basketball state.”
Jim Petersen will remain in his role as analyst alongside Grady.
“Michael’s extensive knowledge of the game and his genuine on-air style make him the perfect fit for this role," said Timberwolves & Lynx Chief Executive Officer Ethan Casson, in a statement. "As Michael returns to his Midwest roots, we couldn’t be more excited to have his voice on the call for Timberwolves games for seasons to come."
Bally Sports announced Wednesday that it is launching Bally Sports+ on Sept. 26, and it will serve as another home for Timberwolves and Minnesota Wild games. More on that streaming service here.
Title: Bring Me The Sports co-owner, editor Email: joe@bringmethenews.com Twitter: @JoeBMTN Education: Southwest Minnesota State University Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Expertise: All things Minnesota sports Nelson has covered Minnesota sports for two decades, starting his media career in sports radio. He worked at small market Minnesota stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before joining one of the nation's highest-rated sports stations, KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. There, he was the producer of the top-rated mid-morning sports show with Minnesota Vikings announcer Paul Allen. His radio experience helped blossom a career as a sports writer, joining Minneapolis-based Bring Me The News in 2011. Nelson and Adam Uren became co-owners of Bring Me The News in 2018 and have since more than tripled the site's traffic and launched Bring Me The Sports in cooperation with the Sports Illustrated/FanNation umbrella. Nelson has covered the Super Bowl and numerous training camps, NFL combines, the MLB All-Star Game and Minnesota playoff games, in addition to the day-to-day happenings on and off the field of play. Nelson also has extensive knowledge of non-sports subjects, including news and weather. He works closely with Bring Me The News meteorologist Sven Sundgaard to produce a bevy of weather and climate information for Minnesota readers. Nelson helped launch and manage the Bring Me The News Radio Network, which provided more than 50 radio stations around Minnesota with daily news, sports and weather reports from 2011-17.