MSG Networks and ESPN commentator Monica McNutt has been named the new lead analyst for New York Knicks radio broadcasts on the MSG Radio Network.
McNutt will be on the call for most games with play-by-play announcer Ed Cohen, although he will be absent for some games during the early stages of the regular season due to a minor medical issue. Don La Greca and Pat O’Keefe will fill in the role in the meantime, and will also work with Alan Hahn and Wally Szczerbiak on select games.
Neil Best of Newsday was first to report the addition to the radio broadcast team.
“I’m looking forward to working with my MSG Networks team for another season and contributing this season on 98.7FM ESPN New York,” McNutt said in a statement. “I love talking Knicks basketball and can’t wait to get going.”
McNutt joined ESPN in 2019 to contribute to ACC Network studio and game coverage before her role was expanded two years later. Since then, she has appeared across the network’s slate of studio programming on shows including Around the Horn, First Take, NBA Today, and SportsCenter.
Additionally, McNutt has worked on studio coverage for women’s college basketball and the WNBA, along with reporting at the 2022 NBA Finals and NBA Draft.
At the regional level, McNutt served as a studio analyst for New York Knicks broadcast coverage on MSG Networks and was frequently situated in the role last season. It remains unknown how this decision will affect her gameday responsibilities on MSG Networks. Moreover, she also appeared on CBS Sports Network, FS1, and Warner Bros. Discovery networks (TNT, NBA TV).
“Monica is one of the most talented basketball analysts around, and we’re excited to have her expand her role at MSG Networks and join the 98.7 ESPN New York Knicks radio team,” Kevin Marotta, senior vice president of marketing and content for MSG Networks, said in a statement. “Knicks fans respect her work and basketball acumen, which she’ll continue to provide on our pre and postgame shows as well.”
Monica McNutt enters the role after radio analyst Brendan Brown was fired by MSG Networks last season following allegations of verbal harassment. For the remainder of last season, various Knicks personalities filled in as color commentators on the air, a full-time role he had worked in since 2012. The Knicks open the 2023-24 regular season on Wednesday night against the Boston Celtics.
