The Cavaliers have officially announced they are searching for Joe Tait’s replacement as the team’s radio play-by-play voice.
Tait retired last month after 39 years with the organization.
“We’d like to invite all qualified candidates to apply,” Cavs president Len Komoroski said in a statement. “A great mix of impressive broadcasters already have, but we’d like to also officially encourage anyone (who) is interested to now apply as we start this important process.”
Komoroski added that the team will “undergo a deep and thorough review” of applicants.
Health issues and heart surgery caused Tait to miss all but a few home games this past season. Mike Snyder filled in for all but four of the games missed by Tait, working alongside color analyst Jim Chones. FOX Sports Ohio pre- and postgame host and sideline reporter Jeff Phelps called the other four games.
Both Snyder and Phelps are said to be candidates to replace Tait, and both have applied for the job. Also among the long list of applicants: Former Cavs TV announcer Michael Reghi and Cleveland State radio play-by-play man Al Pawlowski.
Matt Dery, a University School graduate who works for the Detroit Pistons radio network and calls Detroit Mercy games, has also applied for the job and has been mentioned as a possible Tait replacement by other media outlets.
Whoever the Cavs hire, it seems likely to be someone with prior experience calling NBA games, either on the radio or TV.
With that in mind, several applicants not mentioned above have told FOX Sports Ohio that should Snyder get Tait’s old job, they are hopeful of landing Snyder’s current gig as pre- and postgame host of Cavs, Indians and Browns radio broadcasts. Snyder is employed by WTAM-1100, the Cavs’ flagship station.
Cavs director of broadcasting Dave Dombrowski is leading the search to replace Tait. According to the Cavs’ release, qualified applicants can submit demo tapes and resumes to Dombrowski via email at ddombrowski@cavs.com, or via regular mail to Dave Dombrowski, Cavaliers Senior Director of Broadcast Services, 1 Center Court, Cleveland, 44115.
There is no official time frame for the search, but it is believed the Cavs would like to have someone in place by early August, if not sooner.
