Longtime Lakers Announcer Lawrence Tanter Dies at 76

Lawrence Tanter, Los Angeles Lakers public address announcer for 43 seasons, died at 76. The Lakers announced the news on social media on Sept. 23. He began in the 1982-83 season, was present for five Showtime-era championship banners at The Forum and for Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant's three consecutive titles from 2000-2002, and announced LeBron James breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's all-time scoring record. He retired as PA announcer in June after the 2025-26 season and remained special advisor for game presentation. Reports said he suffered a stroke in March. In 2025, when James became the first player to reach 50,000 combined regular-season and postseason points, Tanter said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we all have just witnessed history." The Lakers posted that for 43 years LT's voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games and he will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family. Jeanie Buss said he had been an integral part of the gameday experience for more than four decades with his professionalism, energy and signature booming voice, and that she was incredibly grateful for everything he has given to this franchise. Contested: none found.