Joe Favorito and Tom Richardson welcome Mike “Wally” Walczewski, better known as King Wally, the iconic public address announcer of the New York Knicks, to the show for a special episode celebrating the franchise’s 2026 NBA championship. One of only two primary PA announcers in Knicks history, Walczewski reflects on his 37-year career at MSG, what it felt like to announce a championship season, and his experience riding in the Canyon of Heroes parade alongside Knicks alumni. The conversation explores the craft behind the PA role, from how Walczewski develops his signature player introductions entirely on his own, to the unspoken coordination he maintains with MSG organist Ray Castaldi, whose 37-year partnership with Wally has become one of the most recognizable sounds in American sports. He also shares the story of how a single index card on a bulletin board at Fordham University led him to Sports Phone, the pioneering sports news service that launched the careers of some of broadcasting’s most recognizable voices, and ultimately to MSG. Walczewski closes with career advice drawn from decades in both sports and executive recruiting, emphasizing the power of networking at every level and the importance of understanding the culture of wherever you land.
Learn More About Mike: http://mikewalczewski.com
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The CUSP Show is hosted by Joe Favorito (@Joefav) and Tom Richardson (@ConvergenceTR) and produced by Sam Henry (@s_henry11), LJ Holmgren (@LJ_Holmgren), and Danny Hagenlocher (@DhColumbiaSPS), with social media efforts led by Lissa Ruiz and Sydney Cristall.
