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Suns to honor Al McCoy with 'Al' band on jerseys in 2024-25 season

Phoenix is paying tribute to Al McCoy, its longtime former play-by-play announcer, with a band on its jerseys this season.

The Suns will wear ‘Al’ bands on each of their uniforms in honor of play-by-play announcer Al McCoy, who died in September.

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The Phoenix Suns will pay tribute to Ring of Honor member and legendary radio play-by-play announcer Al McCoy with a jersey band that will be worn by the team for the entire 2024-25 season. McCoy passed away peacefully on September 21 at the age of 91.

“Al McCoy’s voice represented the best of the Phoenix Suns organization for over five decades,” said Mat Ishbia, owner of the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. “The impact he had on this organization, this city, and our fans cannot be understated. This jersey band will be a reminder of Al’s enduring legacy every time we take the court.”

Phoenix’s jerseys throughout the season will feature a black band along the left shoulder of the jersey with “AL” in white writing.

The longest-tenured team broadcaster in NBA history, McCoy was widely known as the “dean of NBA broadcasters” for his years of service and unique broadcasting style. He served 51 seasons as “The Voice of the Suns,” calling his first game on September 27, 1972, and his last on May 11, 2023. McCoy’s distinctive voice, vivid descriptions and deep knowledge of the game created a unique style that remained a staple for more than five decades.

His many contributions to basketball and sports broadcasting were recognized when he received the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. The first play-by-play announcer inducted into the Arizona Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2004 and a 2009 inductee into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, McCoy earned the team’s highest honor when he became the 15th person inducted into the Suns Ring of Honor in 2017.

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