Jim Paschke Will Be Retiring From the Milwaukee Bucks

Jim Paschke announced his retirement from the Milwaukee Bucks Tuesday night in an interview before the game with Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“This decision is mine alone,” said Paschke. “It comes as I have had the privilege of broadcasting Bucks basketball for precisely half of my life.”

Jim Paschke has been the award-winning television play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Bucks for the last 35 years. He announced he will be retiring at the end of the 2020-2021 season. The exclusive interview between Paschke and Antetokounmpo was aired by Bally Sports Wisconsin before the Milwaukee Bucks game against the Nets. You can watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/_LzmDJ6v2Ww

In the interview, Paschke told Antetokounmpo about how he would always ask his son if he wanted him to retire and he always said no, until last summer before his wedding.

“He (Paschke’s son) called and asked me to retire,” said Paschke, in the interview with Antetokounmpo. “That hit home for me, and I said yes, I will.”

Antetokounmpo responded by saying if his own son was asking him to retire, he would retire right now. Antetokounmpo expressed constantly how much he will miss Paschke.

“Jim, for me, is family,” said Antetokounmpo in a different interview. “I am so blessed to be a part of his legacy.”

Antetokounmpo had many questions to ask Paschke about his retirement.

What was your favorite moment of your career?

“I think the 2001 team when they went to the Eastern Conference Finals and the games you’ve (Antetokounmpo) played like getting to the eastern conference finals in Toronto,” said Paschke.

What will you miss most?

“I will miss the people,” said Paschke. “I’m sure I’ll miss the games and I’ll miss being in the big crowds and all the things we enjoy.”

Another thing he will miss will be the basketball culture.

“Living in the culture of basketball has been so enlightening to me,” Paschke said. “Being around that diverse culture and learning about people and learning we’re all alike, we’re all the same, that’s been the greatest blessing of my career, and my life, actually.”

Paschke started calling the Milwaukee Bucks in the 1986-1987 season and according to the Milwaukee Bucks, has called over 2,000 games for the Milwaukee Bucks. Paschke also called games for the Milwaukee Brewers, Marquette basketball and the University of Wisconsin- Madison football and basketball games.

According to the Milwaukee Bucks, since then he has won five regional Emmy Awards and is a part of the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame. Paschke has also won the Silver Circle from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. This award is given to individuals with 25 years or more in the local television industry.

On top of all those awards, in 2018, Paschke won the NBA’s Todd Harris Spirit Award. This award recognizes someone that is an ultimate team player and inspires people to make every day brighter.

Michael Mirer a professor at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee with six years of experience in sports journalism, is also sad to see Jim Paschke retire.

“I always felt he was like an honest broker,” said Mirer. “I always knew where he was coming from, and he didn’t try to convince me my eyes were deceiving me.”

Mirer covered the Sacramento Kings and has had his fair share of experience with announcers. Mirer describes a good play-by-play announcer as someone who is knowledgeable, personal and has enthusiasm for the game and team. He said Paschke always did a good job at knowing when to talk and when to let the video talk for itself.

“It’s an end of an era,” said Mirer when asked how he felt about Paschke leaving. “He is the historical memory of the team,”

Mirer talked about whoever replaces him will not have the same historical aspect that Paschke brings to the broadcasts.

“They aren’t going to be the next Jim Paschke,” said Mirer. “There is not a way to replace what he brings.”