BREAKING: New York Knicks to Unveil Bronze Sculpture Honoring Hall of Fame Broadcaster Bill Bradley Outside Madison Square Garden on September 6, 2025
In a heartfelt tribute to one of the most beloved voices in New York Knicks history, the franchise has announced that a bronze sculpture of Hall of Fame broadcaster Bill Bradley will be unveiled outside of Madison Square Garden on September 6, 2025. The statue will depict Bradley behind the radio microphone—a nod to his 17-year tenure as the signature voice of the Knicks, capturing the highs and lows of the franchise with passion, poise, and a poetic sensibility that became synonymous with the team’s identity.
The announcement comes after months of speculation about how the Knicks would honor Bradley, who retired from broadcasting in 2023 after a career that not only defined sports media in New York but also helped bridge generations of Knicks fans.
A Voice That Defined an Era
Bradley’s voice was more than just commentary—it was comfort, clarity, and charisma rolled into one. From buzzer-beating thrillers to rebuilding years, his words painted vivid images for those who couldn’t witness the action in person. His commentary had rhythm, a cadence all its own, often evoking the grandeur of Madison Square Garden and the grit of New York basketball.
Though he began his Knicks journey as a legendary player—winning two NBA championships in the 1970s and earning a place in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame—his second act behind the microphone elevated his legacy even further. For many fans born after his playing days, Bradley wasn’t just a former player; he was the voice that taught them what it meant to love Knicks basketball.
“Bill brought the game to life in a way few ever could,” Knicks team president Leon Rose said in a press release. “His words resonated beyond the airwaves—they became a part of our city’s sports culture. This sculpture will ensure that his impact is felt for generations to come.”
A Lasting Tribute in Bronze
The sculpture, designed by renowned artist Julie Rotblatt-Amrany, will stand just outside the main entrance to Madison Square Garden. Rather than depict Bradley as a player in uniform, the Knicks chose a more unique and personal portrayal: Bradley seated at a broadcast table, headset on, one hand clutching a game stat sheet and the other gesturing animatedly mid-broadcast. The detail is said to be intricate, down to the creases in his blazer and the glint in his eye as he calls the action.
“This is a statue about storytelling,” said Rotblatt-Amrany, whose past works include sculptures of Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Pat Tillman. “Bill Bradley wasn’t just a broadcaster—he was a narrator of the Knicks’ soul. This sculpture captures that magic moment when he’s lost in the game, completely immersed in giving it to the fans.”
The September 6 unveiling will coincide with the start of the Knicks’ preseason festivities and is expected to draw a large crowd of former players, fans, media figures, and NBA dignitaries.
From Princeton to the Pros to the Press Box
Bill Bradley’s basketball journey began long before his radio days. A Rhodes Scholar and Princeton standout, he became a first-round draft pick of the New York Knicks in 1965. During his decade-long playing career, he became an integral part of the team’s golden era, starring alongside the likes of Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Willis Reed, and Dave DeBusschere. Known for his intelligence and unselfish play, Bradley helped guide the Knicks to their only two NBA championships, in 1970 and 1973.
Following his playing career, Bradley embarked on a successful career in politics, serving three terms as a U.S. Senator from New Jersey and running for president in 2000. But it was his return to basketball—as a broadcaster—that brought his story full circle.
“Returning to the Knicks broadcast booth felt like coming home,” Bradley said in a recent interview with MSG Network. “I never stopped loving the game, and it was a privilege to describe it for our incredible fans. To now have this honor—it’s beyond anything I ever imagined.”
Knicks Nation Reacts
News of the sculpture spread rapidly across social media, with fans, former players, and colleagues flooding platforms with tributes.
Walt Frazier, Bradley’s longtime teammate and fellow Knicks legend, called the tribute “long overdue.”
“Bill has given so much to this game—as a player, a leader, and a broadcaster,” Frazier said. “This statue means his voice will always be part of the Garden, even in silence.”
Current Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau added: “I grew up listening to Bill Bradley. He had this rare ability to educate and entertain at the same time. He was never just calling plays—he was sharing wisdom.”
MSG Network, where Bradley called games for over a decade, announced plans to air a one-hour special titled “Bradley: The Voice of the Knicks” in the days leading up to the statue unveiling. The special will include rare behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and fan tributes.
A New Tradition at the Garden
Bradley’s statue will join other iconic figures outside MSG, including statues honoring the greats of the New York Rangers and prominent musical acts who defined the venue’s storied history. For the Knicks, however, this marks a symbolic shift—recognizing that greatness isn’t only about points and rebounds, but also about presence, poetry, and the power of voice.
Team owner James Dolan, often a polarizing figure, issued a rare public statement on the unveiling.
“Bill Bradley represents everything the Knicks should strive to be—smart, passionate, principled,” Dolan said. “This tribute is a way to say thank you, but also to remind ourselves of the standard he set.”
Looking Ahead
As the Knicks continue their journey back to title contention, the bronze likeness of Bill Bradley will serve as a grounding presence—a reminder of the team’s past, the power of storytelling, and the beauty of basketball through the eyes of one of its most cherished narrators.
On September 6, the city will gather to honor not just a broadcaster, but a symbol of New York resilience and excellence. When the curtain is pulled back and the sun catches the gleam of bronze headphones and a smile frozen in time, fans will hear his voice again—not throu
gh speakers, but in memory, in legacy, and in bronze.
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