Clippers Broadcasters

  • Ralph Lawler
    • PRIME TICKET/KFWB NEWS TALK 980

    Entering his 33rd year as the “Voice of the Clippers” and his 36th year in professional basketball, Ralph Lawler looks ahead excitedly to the continued growth of the “Blake Griffin Era” and for a return to the playoff excellence of 2006. That trip to the Western Conference Semi-Finals was his deepest run into the playoffs since calling Philadelphia 76er games when they reached the NBA Finals in 1977. Ralph’s long tenure with the club saw him surpass 2,500 Clipper regular season and playoff broadcasts last season as his enthusiastic calls of “Bingo!,” “Fasten your Seatbelts” and "Oh Me Oh My" continue to be familiar favorites for Clippers fans throughout Southern California. Ralph's active schedule has him handling play-by-play duties for all televised games on PRIME TICKET as well as on the Clippers’ flagship radio station, KFWB NEWS TALK-980, for all non-televised contests. His list of honors include Emmys and Golden Mike Awards plus past recognition as Pennsylvania Sportscaster of the Year during his stint in Philadelphia at WCAU AM & TV. He has also been named to the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Lawler happily notes that he broadcast the NBA debuts of 3 of his all-time favorites: Julius Erving (with 76ers in Philadelphia), Magic Johnson (versus Clippers in San Diego) and Blake Griffin (with Clippers last October). The NBA has long been Lawler’s great love. However, the versatile broadcaster is one of only a handful of announcers who have worked play-by-play in each of the four major pro sports leagues: NFL (San Diego Chargers), MLB (Philadelphia Phillies), NHL (Philadelphia Flyers) and NBA (76ers and Clippers). His resume also includes broadcasting events as varied as A.B.A. and college basketball, golf, tennis, track & field, box lacrosse, auto racing, boxing and college football. Ralph is a graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, and was inducted into his alma mater’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. He’s another in a long line of sportscasters who honed their craft in Peoria: Chick Hearn, Tom Kelly, Bob Starr, Bill King and Jack Brickhouse, among others. Ralph spends his off-season keeping tabs on all matters involving the NBA and communicates with Clipper fans regularly via Facebook and Twitter. Notable off-season activities have included a week aboard the SS Norway as the radio host of an NBA Cruise of the Caribbean, an 18- day whitewater rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon with former broadcast partner Bill Walton and service as the play-by-play voice for one of Nintendo’s “NBA Courtside” video games. Ralph and his wife, Jo, proudly head a family that includes three grown children and seven grandchildren. The Lawlers spend the season at their home in La Quinta and their summers in Bend, Oregon. Fans can follow Ralph on Twitter: @ohmeomy or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ralphlawler.
  • Michael Smith
    • PRIME TICKET/KFWB NEWS TALK 980

    Former Clipper Michael Smith begins his 14th season behind the microphone for the Clippers and his tenth partnering with Ralph Lawler on all Clippers broadcasts. Prior to his permanent move to the Clippers television broadcast team, Smith served as the Clippers’ radio play-by-play voice for four seasons where he was one of only two (Hot Rod Hundley) former NBA players to do play-by-play on radio for an NBA team. Previously, he had worked for NBC in Salt Lake City calling college games. Smith began his broadcast career just as his playing career came to a close. Smith played eight years professionally; three in the NBA, another four in Europe and one in the CBA. What might have been a 14 year career was cut in half by chronically sore knees. Still, he played with some of the games true greats; Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kevin McHale, Dennis Johnson and Robert Parish to name a few. Originally drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1989 as the 13th overall selection, Smith started eight games his rookie year in the middle of the season, a span during which he averaged 18 points per game and the Celtics went 7-1. He played in Europe from 1991-1995, and led the Spanish League in scoring and free throw percentage for two different seasons. He was also the leading American scorer in the Italian League. In 1995, Smith returned to the Clippers for one season. That season allowed him the opportunity to return to the city where he had excelled in his early days. Smith attended Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights, where he set CIF football records for yardage, attempts, completions, and the single-game record for TD’s (8) as a quarterback on the way to a perfect season and the CIF championship. That year he was chosen the National Male High School Athlete of the Year by the Dial Corporation, after being First Team All-American in football, basketball and volleyball. Smith was recruited by virtually every university in the country to play any or all of the three sports. He chose BYU and basketball. Accolades at the college level continued: he was an All-American his junior year and led the team to a 26-6 record, led the conference in scoring three times, was a two-time WAC Player of the Year, led the nation in free throw percentage his senior year, and was a threetime First Team Academic All American, majoring in Spanish with a minor in Communications. Smith and his family reside in South Orange County.
  • Dain Blanton
    • PRIME TICKET

    After getting his start at FOX Sports West and PRIME TICKET in 2007 as a sideline reporter for high school football “Game of the Week” telecasts, Dain Blanton enters his third season as sideline reporter for the Los Angeles Clippers. Throughout the 2009-2010 Clippers season, Blanton will provide player and coach interviews, as well as team updates for all 75 regular season Clippers telecasts on the regional sports networks. Prior to 2009, Blanton served as sideline reporter for select Pac-10 football telecasts on PRIME TICKET. Blanton is an award winning American beach volleyball player. As a high school senior in 1990, Blanton was named the Orange County Player of the Year, Most Valuable Player of the Pacific Coast League, earned all-American honors at the Junior Olympics and was a Volleyball Mag Fab 50 recruit. Blanton was also an All-State Basketball player who led Laguna Beach to the CIF Finals in 1990. After turning down several basketball scholarships to college, Blanton chose to follow his passion and accepted a full scholarship to Pepperdine University in Malibu. In only his second year at Pepperdine, Blanton led the Pepperdine Waves to a National Championship. Upon graduation from Pepperdine with a degree in Public Relations, and acquiring his teaching credentials, Blanton took his game to the AVP and International FIVB Pro Beach Volleyball Tours. In 1997, Blanton became the first African American pro player in the history of beach volleyball to win a major title. He also won a gold medal in Sydney in 2000.
  • Michael Eaves
    • PRIME TICKET

    Michael Eaves brings more than 15 years of journalism experience in television and radio to FOX Sports West and PRIME TICKET. He currently hosts "Clippers Live," and serves as sideline reporter for the networks’ Lakers, Angels and Dodgers packages. In addition, Eaves serves as one of the primary hosts for “In My Own Words” and “Before The Bigs” two original programming series’ on the regional sports networks, as well as ancillary network features. During the 2006 summer, Eaves garnered his first L.A. Area Emmy award with FOX Sports West for his reporting on “Dean Karnazes: Ultra Marathon Man” in the category of Outstanding Sports Feature. In 2005, Eaves anchored the FOX Sports West nightly local sports program "Southern California Sports Report,” including live on-site reports at several major Los Angeles sporting events, such as the exhibition game between Real Madrid and the Los Angeles Galaxy on July 18, and the 2005 Freeway Dodgers/Angels series in June 2005. Eaves’ career has frequently put him at the intersection of sports and history. Appearing on “Dodgers Live” September 18, 2006, Eaves interviewed Nomar Garciaparra on the field after his walk-off homerun to win the best comeback in Dodgers history. He scored an exclusive interview with Oscar de la Hoya after the fighter announced his challenge to Sugar Shane Mosley, and served as the primary reporter for the Los Angeles Lakers during their playoff run to the 2004 NBA finals. Other highlights include discussions with Lakers owner Jerry Buss, David Beckham, Kobe Bryant, Pete Carroll, Tiger Woods, Vitali Klitschko, and Dodgers owner Frank McCourt. He also interviewed Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer as he prepared for the NFL draft in 2003. His resume spans radio as well. Currently, he is a frequent guest host and contributor to a Los Angeles-based radio show on XTRA Sports AM 830. His radio career began in 1997, when he hosted “The Original Sportsline” on WLXG-AM in Lexington, Ky. For two years he hosted “The Midday Sports Report” on WHBQ-AM in Memphis, Tenn. Eaves joined FOX Sports West and PRIME TICKET in 2003 from WPTY-TV in Memphis, where he worked as a sports anchor for four years. In Memphis, he was the sideline reporter on the Grizzlies’ cable telecasts. Prior to that experience, he spent seven years with WKYT-TV in Lexington, Ky. as a sports anchor, reporter, and producer. While at WKYT-TV, he coanchored” This Week in Kentucky Basketball” and both co-anchored and produced “27 Sports Spectrum.” From 1994-96, Eaves received the Kentucky Broadcasters Association Award for best sportscast. His affiliations include memberships in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association, and National Association of Black Journalists. Eaves graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. He lives in Los Angeles.
  • Don MacLean
    • PRIME TICKET

    Former NCAA All-American and NBA veteran Don MacLean enters his fifth season providing analysis for “Clippers Live” pre-game and post-game shows surrounding Clippers telecasts on PRIME TICKET and FOX Sports West. Supplementing his NBA work MacLean enters his third season as the national Pac-12 men’s basketball analyst for FOX Sports West and PRIME TICKET. The 2011-12 season will also mark MacLean’s sixth year as the local men’s basketball analyst for UCLA telecasts on PRIME TICKET. In addition to his television duties, MacLean enters his ninth year as a radio analyst for UCLA basketball radio broadcasts on XTRA Sports 570 AM. In 2005, MacLean made his first television appearance as an analyst for FSN during the Pac- 10 tournament held at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles. Prior to his broadcast experience, MacLean spent nine seasons in the NBA. Drafted 19th overall in 1992 by the Detroit Pistons, he received the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award for the 1993-94 season, and rounded out his career with the Miami Heat. Before turning professional, MacLean spent four years (1989 — 1992) as a member of the UCLA Bruins basketball program. Coming from a long line of basketball legends, MacLean made a name for himself as a Bruin when he became the alltime career leader for both UCLA and the Pac-10, two records that still stand today. Fittingly, he was inducted in to the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002. A native of California, MacLean attended Simi Valley High School before UCLA. He now lives in the Southland with his wife and their three sons.
  • Brian Sieman
    • KFWB News Talk 980

    Brian Sieman enters his fifth season as a member of the Clippers’ broadcast team, handling the radio play-by-play duties on KFWB NEWS TALK 980 for all televised games and providing additional analysis alongside Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith on radio for all non-televised contests. Sieman also provides play by play for Fox Sports West’s coverage of High School Football. Prior to joining the Clippers, Sieman was the radio voice for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx (WNBA). Sieman has experience in all levels of broadcast, having worked in the Continental Basketball Association, the International Basketball Association, Drake University, and 950 The Fan, the Flagship station for the Denver Nuggets. A 1998 graduate from the University of Kansas, Sieman, his wife Amy, and their sons Finnegan and Henry, reside in Westchester.
  • Television
    • PRIME TICKET

    Beginning their 16th season as telecast partner and second campaign as the sole television home for the Clippers, PRIME TICKET is scheduled to televise 77 games, including two preseason and 75 regular season game telecasts. This marks the third complete High Definition (HD) Clippers season for the regional sports network. Ralph Lawler, the “Voice of the Clippers,” is in his 33rd year as the Clippers play-by-play announcer. Lawler is joined in the booth once again by former Clipper, Michael Smith, who is in his 10th season providing color analysis. PRIME TICKET is the exclusive home of “Clippers Live”, the 30-minute original Clippers show that provides fans with unmatched access to the team. Hosted by PRIME TICKET reporter Michael Eaves, with analysis from former NBA player Don MacLean, “Clippers Live” keeps fans informed and entertained with player interviews, expert analysis and feature stories. PRIME TICKET and sister network, FOX Sports West, have been providing local sports coverage to Southern California, Nevada and Hawaii for over 25 years. Together, the regional sports networks present more live, local sports programming than any other network or broadcast system in the market. FOX Sports West provides 24-hour sports programming to more than 6.8 million subscribers; PRIME TICKET reaches 6.2 million subscribers. The partner networks combine to produce over 800 live sporting events and telecast 2,000 hours of live programming every year. For complete regional sports news, provocative opinions, telecast schedules and updated statistics, logon to www.foxsportswest.com.
  • Radio
    • KFWB News Talk 980

    The 2011-12 campaign marks the third season of a multi-year broadcast agreement between the Clippers and KFWB NEWS TALK 980. KFWB is scheduled to carry all Clippers' preseason, regular season and playoff games. Broadcaster Brian Sieman, entering his fifth season with the Clippers, calls the action while the “Voice of the Clippers,” Ralph Lawler and former Clipper Michael Smith, team up with Sieman to call all nationally televised games not shown on PRIME TICKET. KFWB features some of America’s top personalities and a full range of topical news, traffic, financial, sports and lifestyle programming. KFWB NEWS TALK 980’s news programming includes “LA’s Morning News” featuring Penny Griego and Phil Hulett weekdays from 5-9am and “LA’s Afternoon News” with Maggie McKay and Michael Shappee weekdays from 4-7pm, plus a daytime lineup featuring consumer guru Bob McCormick with Money 101, best-selling author Dave Ramsey and motivational speaker Les Brown. “KFWB on Your Corner” puts the spotlight on different communities each month. KFWB streams live at cbsLA.com.
  • Spanish Radio
    • KWKW 1330 AM

    Beginning their third season as the Clippers’ Spanish radio home, KWKW 1330 AM ESPN Deportes brings Spanish language broadcasts to the Latino community of Los Angeles. Play by play announcer Celso Gaspar will call a total of 50 home and road Clipper games for the number one Spanish sports station in country during the 2011-12 NBA regular season.
  • LACtv
    • Clippers.com

    Entering its second season, LACTV offers exclusive video content on the team’s official website, Clippers.com and on the STAPLES Center video board prior to and during every Los Angeles Clippers home game. LACTV’s host, Madelyn Burke, will again bring fans behind the scenes, conducting exclusive interviews with players, coaches and front office personnel as well as providing post-game and post-practice recaps while the Clippers are at home and on the road.
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