Spero Dedes

Spero Dedes
Born (1979-02-27) February 27, 1979 (age 45)
Paramus, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation(s)Sportscaster, play-by-play announcer
Years active2001–present

Spero Dedes (born February 27, 1979) is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by CBS Sports, calling the NFL, NBA and college basketball as well as Turner Sports' coverage of the NBA. He has also worked as the preseason TV voice of the Los Angeles Chargers. Prior to joining CBS and Turner, he was the radio play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers (2005–2011) and a radio and television play-by-play announcer for the New York Knicks from 2011 to 2014.

Early career: WFAN, AFL, YES Network, NBA TV

Dedes was born in Paramus, New Jersey. He attended Paramus High School and then graduated from Fordham University in 2001 and he began his career at WFAN in New York.

In 2001 and 2002, Dedes was the radio announcer for the New Jersey Gladiators of the AFL.[1] In 2002, he was tapped as a fill-in announcer for New Jersey Nets games on the YES Network.[2]

In 2003, Dedes was hired as a studio host and play-by-play man for NBA TV. He hosted Hardwood Classics and The Insiders.[3]

In 2004, Dedes was hired as a voice over for NBA Action and replaced longtime voice over Jim Fagan until he was replaced by YES Network play–by–play announcer Ian Eagle.

National exposure: Olympics, Networks, Lakers, Super Bowl

At 24, Dedes worked the 2004 Summer Olympics for NBC Sports.[4]

In 2004, Dedes also served as a fill-in commentator of College Basketball on CBS.[5] Also in 2004, Dedes served as a fill-in commentator for the NFL on FOX.[4]

In 2005, Dedes filled in on the NFL on CBS.[6] In the same year, Dedes got the biggest break of his career when he was hired as the radio announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers.[4]

From 2006 until 2011, Dedes worked for NFL Network, with his duties including studio hosting and play-by-play. In 2015, Dedes went back to his old stomping grounds, returning to NFL Network as a studio host.[7]

In 2007, Dedes served as the play-by-play man for the international feed of Super Bowl XLI by CBS Sports.[8] In 2023 Dedes worked as a Play by play man for select NFL games on Westwood One.

Full-time at CBS and New York Knicks

In December 2009, Dedes joined CBS Sports full-time, calling regular season college basketball and the 2010 NCAA Tournament.[9][10]

For the 2010 NFL season, he was named a full-time announcer of the NFL on CBS.

In 2011, Dedes left the Lakers and became the radio voice of the New York Knicks.[11] Dedes cited the flexibility to continue his work at CBS Sports as the reason for leaving the Lakers.[12]

In addition, that fall, he became the #2 voice of the SEC on CBS behind Verne Lundquist.[13]

In 2012, Dedes was disciplined by his employer for making a racially insensitive remark during the Knicks loss to the Charlotte Hornets.[14]

Dedes has also filled in for Ian Eagle on play-by-play for New York Jets preseason games on WCBS-TV.

From 2017 to 2021 and since 2023, he called NFL games with Adam Archuleta and for the 2021 and 2022 seasons was paired with Jay Feely. Dedes and Archuleta serve as the No. 5 announcing team for the NFL on CBS. Dedes and Archuleta were on the call for the Snow Bowl where the Buffalo Bills beat the Indianapolis Colts on December 10, 2017. He's also the No. 4 play-by-play announcer for the NBA on TNT and continues to work play-by-play on CBS and Turner's coverage of NCAA March Madness pairing with an array of analysts including Steve Smith, Jim Jackson, Len Elmore and Debbie Antonelli.

References

  1. ^ "NBA TV Talent: Spero Dedes". NBA.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-20. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  2. ^ Marchand, Andrew (November 1, 2002). "THE FORDHAM FLASH: YES' DEDES GETS NETS' FILL-IN JOB – AT AGE 23". New York Post.
  3. ^ "NBA.com - NBA TV Talent: Spero Dedes". Nba.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Lakers Announce Hiring of Spero Dedes as Radio Play-By-Play Announcer". Los Angeles Lakers. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  5. ^ "CBS Sports TV Team". Archived from the original on 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  6. ^ "NFL on CBS: Week 2: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (2005)". Tv.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Spero Dedes". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 2014-01-03. Retrieved 2014-01-02.
  8. ^ Allen, Bruce (3 February 2007). "Weekend Watch – Super Bowl XLI Edition". Bostonsportsmedia.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  9. ^ "CBS SPORTS' COLLEGE BASKETBALL DOUBLEHEADER FEATURES TOP 20 CLASH AS NO. 15 GONZAGA TAKES ON NO. 7 DUKE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN ON SATURDAY, DEC. 19". Viacom CBS Express. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Spero Dedes". ViacomCBS Press Express. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Dedes named Knicks radio play-by-play man". Espn.com. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  12. ^ Ding, Kevin (26 August 2011). "Dedes' toughest call: leaving Lakers for Knicks". Ocregister.com. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  13. ^ "NO. 3-RANKED ALABAMA TAKES ON NO. 12-RANKED FLORIDA IN PRIME TIME ON CBS SPORTS' COLLEGE FOOTBALL TRIPLEHEADER ON SATURDAY, OCT. 1". ViacomCBS Press Express. 29 September 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  14. ^ Berman, Marc (22 February 2012). "MSG's Dedes punished for Lin slur". NY Post. Retrieved 17 August 2023.