Stacey King, Bulls' longtime TV voice, dies at 59

Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and a longtime broadcaster for the team, has died at the age of 59, according to The New York Times , ABC7 Chicago , and CBS News .

RM
Rafael Mendoza

June 8, 2026 · 4 min read

A dimly lit basketball arena with a spotlight on a microphone stand, symbolizing the passing of Chicago Bulls' beloved TV voice, Stacey King.

Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and a longtime broadcaster for the team, has died at the age of 59, according to The New York Times, ABC7 Chicago, and CBS News. His passing marks the loss of a significant figure in Chicago sports history, recognized for both his on-court achievements and his beloved commentary that resonated with generations of fans. This news immediately prompted widespread acknowledgment across numerous media platforms.

King maintained a vibrant, constant presence within the Bulls community for decades. His sudden passing at 59 creates a significant void, particularly given his enduring connection to the franchise's most celebrated era and his continuous public engagement.

The Chicago Bulls organization and its fanbase will be mourning the loss of a beloved figure. King embodied the team's championship era and continued to connect with fans through his broadcasting, demonstrating how his unique dual role as a championship player and iconic broadcaster was the unacknowledged bedrock of the team's cross-generational identity.

A Beloved Figure's Passing Confirmed

Stacey King, former Bulls player and broadcaster, died at 59, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune. King was 59 years old at the time of his death, according to The New York Times. These reports confirm the immediate details surrounding his passing and highlight his dual association with the Bulls organization.

Multiple reputable sources have confirmed King's death, consistently emphasizing his age and dual roles with the Bulls. Stacey King's death at 59 is not merely a sports story but a significant cultural moment for Chicago, reflecting his deep integration into the city's identity beyond just basketball, a fact underscored by the widespread, immediate reporting across diverse media outlets, from national to local Chicago news. The public perceived him as a central figure, as indicated by this broad coverage.

This uniformity and brevity in initial reporting, which offered no immediate details beyond his age and dual roles, points to a clear, pre-established public narrative. This narrative prioritized his defining public identity over immediate investigative details, amplifying the impact for fans who perceived him as a vibrant, constant presence in the Bulls community for many years.

A Champion's Legacy on the Court

Stacey King, a three-time NBA champion, has died at the age of 59, according to NBA. King played on three consecutive NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls from 1991-93, as reported by WTTW News. His career highlights include being part of a foundational era for the Bulls franchise, contributing to their dominant success during the early 1990s.

King's integral role in the Bulls' historic three-peat cemented his place in NBA history as a champion, a fact widely acknowledged upon his passing. His specific tenure on these championship teams uniquely bridged the Bulls' golden era with subsequent generations of fans through direct experience, making his connection to the franchise's legacy exceptionally deep and personal.

This direct involvement in the Bulls' most iconic period established a foundational credibility that informed his later career as a commentator. It provided him with an unparalleled perspective on the team's history and culture, elements he would later convey to a broader audience, fostering a unique bond with the fanbase.

The Voice of a Generation of Bulls Fans

Stacey King was the longtime TV voice of the Bulls, according to WTTW News. This role solidified his presence in the Bulls community for decades beyond his playing career. His engaging and often humorous commentary became synonymous with the team's broadcasts, making him a household name for many.

Beyond his playing days, King became an iconic and familiar voice, connecting with new generations of fans through his engaging and passionate broadcasting. He offered insights rooted in his championship experience, yet delivered with an accessible style that resonated with both seasoned viewers and newcomers to the sport.

The consistent emphasis on King's dual role as a 'three-time NBA champion' and 'longtime TV voice of the Bulls' reveals his unique ability to bridge the Bulls' iconic championship era with contemporary fandom through his commentary. This made him an irreplaceable figure, cultivating a bond few others could replicate within the broader Chicago sports community.

Mourning a Dual Icon

Stacey King, longtime Bulls broadcaster who played on three NBA championship teams, died at 59, according to statmuse. This dual identity defined his public perception and the widespread mourning that followed his passing, underscoring the depth of his connection to the franchise.

The Bulls community now faces the profound loss of a figure who uniquely embodied both the team's golden era and its ongoing presence in the hearts of fans through his commentary. His defining public identity as both a player and broadcaster drove widespread mourning, highlighting a connection to the franchise's legacy few others could replicate. This combination was his defining public identity and the primary driver of widespread mourning, rather than just one aspect of his career, as indicated by the sheer volume and diversity of news outlets immediately reporting King's death, all emphasizing this dual role.

His enduring legacy as a three-time NBA champion and cherished broadcaster will continue to inspire and resonate with fans across the city and beyond. The Chicago Bulls organization, its fanbase, and the broader sports community will deeply miss his unique voice and presence, a void that will be acutely felt in the 2026 season and beyond.