Full Breakdown
Stacey King, Three-Time NBA Champion and Longtime Bulls Broadcaster, Dies at 59
6/8/2026, 12:11:17 AM
Death Announcement
The Chicago Bulls announced on Sunday, June 7, 2026, that former player and broadcaster Stacey King had died at age 59. The team said it was informed by a family member; no cause of death was provided.
Career Overview
Drafted sixth overall in 1989 from the University of Oklahoma—where he earned consensus First-Team All-American honors, was Big Eight Player of the Year, and later had his No. 33 jersey retired—King spent five seasons (1989-94) with Chicago, winning NBA titles in 1991-93. He was traded to Minnesota in 1994 and later played for Miami, Boston and Dallas, finishing his eight-year NBA career with averages of 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds. After a brief CBA coaching stint, King joined the Bulls broadcast team in 2006, becoming lead color commentator in 2008 and earning an Emmy. His catchphrases “Gimme the hot sauce!” and “Sriracha!” made him a fan favorite for more than two decades, and he partnered with play-by-play announcer Adam Amin from 2020 onward. He is survived by sons Erick, Garrett, Brandon and Mason.
Impact on the Bulls Franchise
King’s on-court role linked him to the dynasty that defined the early 1990s, while his enthusiastic commentary helped sustain fan engagement during rebuilding periods. His personal interactions and humor reinforced the Bulls’ community presence and connected multiple generations of supporters.
Official Statements & Responses
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf called King “a cherished member of the Bulls family” whose connection spanned three decades as player and broadcaster. President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf praised King’s “unique gift for bringing people together” and his ability to make every game feel personal.
Criticism & Opposition
No dissenting viewpoints or criticisms appeared in the sourced reports.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The organization did not disclose King’s cause of death. Field Level Media and The Big Lead referenced an unverified report of a fall at his home, but this detail remains unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Stacey King was a cherished member of the Bulls family and one of the truly unique personalities in our organization’s history.” — Jerry Reinsdorf, Bulls chairman
- “Stacey loved being a Bull. You could feel it in everything he did — the way he played, the way he called games and the way he connected with our fans,” — Michael Reinsdorf, Bulls president and CEO
- “We enjoy what we do,” — Stacey King, on his “Gimme the Hot Sauce” podcast
- “I'll always remember this as the night that Michael Jordan and I combined to score 70 points,” — Stacey King, reflecting on a 1990 game
What’s Next
The Bulls said details of services and additional tributes to King will be announced later in the season.
