The Chicago Bulls announced the tragic passing of former player and beloved, long-time broadcaster Stacey King on Sunday. He was 59.
“Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history,” Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “His connection to Chicago, the Bulls and our fans spanned more than three decades – first as a player and later as the unmistakable voice that helped bring Bulls basketball into the homes of generations of fans. We will miss him deeply and remember the joy, energy, humor, candor and passion he brought to our organization, our broadcasts and our fans every day. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
King was the epitome of a Bulls lifer. Drafted sixth overall by Chicago in the 1989 draft, he played five seasons for the Bulls, winning three championships as a member of the first three-peat in the 1990s.
“Stacey loved being a Bull,” team president Michael Reinsdorf said. “You could feel it in everything he did – the way he played, the way he called games and the way he connected with our fans. He had a unique gift for bringing people together and making every game feel personal. He brought an energy and love for the game that came through in every broadcast, helping fans feel connected to our team. Whether it was through a broadcast, a conversation or a photo with a fan, Stacey made people feel seen and valued. We were fortunate to know him not only as a player and broadcaster, but as a friend. Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organization better. We will miss him dearly, and his impact, memory and legacy will remain a part of the Chicago Bulls forever.”
In 2006, King joined the call as a broadcaster, then for Comcast Sportsnet Chicago alongside Neil Funk. He became the voice of the Derrick Rose era that brought joy to the fanbase for the first time since the dynasty of the 90s. His enthusiasm, joy, nicknames and catchphrases became synonymous with that era of the team and carried over for his 20-year run as the voice of the Bulls.
In 2020, Adam Amin replaced a retiring Funk but King never missed a beat. The two displayed great chemistry instantly as the Bulls continued their rebuild. Despite a lack of team success, King made the last decade of Bulls basketball an enjoyable and always entertaining watch.
The Bulls announced they will have details on their plans to honor King’s life and legacy at a later date.
