George Blaha in 2014 accepting his induction into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

Broadcaster George Blaha, known as the “Voice of the Pistons” for almost five decades, has been given the highest honor for media by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame announced on Friday (2/14) that Blaha is a recipient of the 2025 Curt Gowdy Media Award for electronic media. Blaha will be presented the award during Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremonies in Springfield, Massachusetts in early September.

Blaha, who was raised in Grayling, has served as the Pistons’ broadcaster for 49 seasons, calling more than 3,400 regular-season games, over 260 playoff games and all three of the team’s NBA championships (1989, 1990, 2004).

“His iconic play-by-play calls have made him a beloved figure among Detroit fans and cemented him as one of the most enduring and recognizable voices in the game,” the Naismith Hall of Fame said in a statement.

Blaha has handled play-by-play duties for another team even longer. He joined the broadcast team for Michigan State Football in 1971 and continues to juggle both responsibilities.

Blaha was a 2008 inductee to the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame and has been the recipient of many industry awards, including the Ty Tyson Award for broadcasting excellence by the Detroit Sports Media Association and two-time Michigan Sports Broadcaster of the Year from the National Sportscasters and Sports Writers Association (2003, 2007).  He was inducted into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2014.