Charlotte Hornets’ broadcaster Steve Martin switching from TV to radio

Steve Martin, the original radio voice of the Charlotte Hornets, is returning to that medium next season after eight years of television play-by-play with the team.

Martin, 62, will do radio for the Hornets’ 82-game schedule next season, replacing Scott Lauer. The Hornets’ flagship station is WFNZ 610. The Hornets, who control their radio rights, sold television rights to Fox several years ago.

Martin began his NBA broadcasting career in 1988 with the original Hornets, calling games on WBT 1110. He switched to television in 1994 and moved with the franchise to New Orleans in 2002.

Martin returned to Charlotte when the Bobcats started, doing radio from 2004 through 2007 before again switching to television with Fox SportsSouth.

“Since the first season in 1988, the one constant to NBA broadcasts in Charlotte has been Steve Martin,” Hornets President Fred Whitfield said in a statement. “Steve started in radio and we look forward to having him back in this role.”

Martin expressed his satisfaction in the same announcement: “I’m happy to be going back to my roots. Radio is where I started my career and I’m excited about calling all the Hornets’ action.”

This story was originally published April 23, 2015 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Charlotte Hornets’ broadcaster Steve Martin switching from TV to radio."