MIAMI — David J. Halberstam, the longtime sports broadcaster and former radio voice of the Miami Heat, died on June 2, 2026, at the age of 74 after a year-long battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Donna, with whom he had been married for 39 years, three children, and seven grandchildren.
Halberstam served as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Miami Heat from 1992 to 1998 before parting ways with the team due to an on-air comment. Prior to his tenure with the Heat, he called games for St. John’s basketball from 1982 to 1992.
From 2002 to 2008, Halberstam was general manager at Westwood One Sports. He formed the Madison Square Garden Radio Network. He later returned to broadcasting as the voice of Nova Southeastern University’s men’s basketball team from 2011 to 2019.
In 2018, Halberstam launched Sports Broadcast Journal. He continued writing columns and broadcasting criticism through 2025. He also authored two books: “Sports on New York Radio: A Play-by-Play History” and “Sports Media and Sponsorship Sales: Developing New Accounts.”
Barry Jackson said, “Sad to report that former Heat radio voice David Halberstam has died after battling brain cancer. He is survived by Donna (his wife of 39 years), three children, and seven grandchildren. David called Heat games from 1992 to 1998. A kind man with an incredible command of the English language.”
Howie Rose, who knew Halberstam since the mid-1970s, said, “Wow. Very sad to hear this. I knew David since my college days in the mid 1970s. Even then it was evident that he was going places. A true dynamo who left his mark wherever he went. Condolences to his family. RIP.”
Chuck Swirsky recalled meeting Halberstam during their collegiate broadcasting days, saying, “I first met David when I was calling DePaul and David was handling broadcasting duties for St. John’s. David was passionate about broadcasting and was a caring, supportive soul who loved his family. Thoughts are with his family.”