The Chicago Bulls lost one of their most iconic figures Sunday. Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion and beloved broadcaster, has died at 59. No cause of death was given.
What We Know: King spent nearly four decades connected to the Bulls franchise. Selected sixth overall in the 1989 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma, he averaged 8.9 points and 4.7 rebounds as a rookie alongside Michael Jordan. Moreover, he was part of three consecutive championships from 1991 to 1993. After his playing career ended, King briefly coached the Rockford Lightning in the CBA before transitioning to broadcasting. He served as the Bulls’ color commentator on NBC Sports Chicago from 2006 until the network shuttered in 2024.
What They Said: Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf: “Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history. 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 that he brought to our organization, our broadcasts, and our fans every day.”
Chicago Bulls Team president Michael Reinsdorf: “Stacey loved being a Bull. 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. … Stacey genuinely cared about people, and he made our organization better. We will miss him dearly, and his impact, memory and legacy will remain part of the Chicago Bulls forever.”
What Remains Unclear: No cause of death is known. Moreover, details on memorial services to come at a later date.
What It Means: King was more than a broadcaster. In addition, he was a cultural thread running through decades of Bulls basketball. His transition from world champion to commentator gave Chicago fans a familiar, trusted voice for nearly 20 years.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. Sign up for our newsletters to stay updated and get the latest information right in your inbox.
John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
