By Matt Mueller Culture Editor Published May 04, 2021 at 7:26 PM

Milwaukee Bucks' television broadcasts just won't be the same starting next season as longtime Bucks play-by-play announcer Jim Paschke announced that he will retire at the end of the current season.

Paschke made the announcement during an interview with Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo before Tuesday night's game against the Brooklyn Nets.

"After most every Bucks season when my son Mike was young, I would ask him if he wanted me to retire and be home more. He always said no. Last summer, just before his wedding, he asked me to retire. I said yes," Paschke explained, in a release. "We agreed that I would get the Bucks through another season dealing with COVID-19. I wouldn’t expect someone new to have to do that.

"This decision is mine alone. It comes as I have had the privilege of broadcasting Bucks basketball for precisely half of my life."

Born in Bloomington, Minnesota, Paschke has worked in broadcasting for almost half a century – 35 of those years spent as the iconic voice of Milwaukee Bucks' broadcasts, totalling more than 2,000 games covered across his career. Throughout his tenure as a Wisconsin broadcaster, Paschke also served as the play-by-play announcer for Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball games, Brewers baseball, Admirals hockey, Marquette University basketball games and auto races at Wisconsin State Fair Park, as well. 

"A big congratulations to Jim on an amazing career," said Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum President Peter Feigin, in a release. "For nearly four decades, Jim has been the steady anchor and voice of Bucks basketball, and he will be missed by all of us. Jim’s professionalism, passion and humor have made him into a fan favorite and a Wisconsin treasure. We wish Jim all the best in his retirement and extend to him our sincerest thanks for all he has done for the Bucks organization over the past 35 years."

“I want to wish my broadcast partner and friend, Jim Paschke, the sincerest of best wishes as he embarks upon this next chapter of his life," said Marques Johnson, former Buck and Paschke's regular TV partner since 2015.

"He has been the consummate professional, and I have learned much from working with him. His longevity in this business shows the level of appreciation the people of Milwaukee have for his superior ability. I will miss our conversations about the game of basketball, but more importantly, our passionate discussions about the game of life. Be well my friend and enjoy."

Stay tuned to future Bucks broadcasts the remainder of this season for tributes to Paschke, including some of his most famous calls and stories from former players and colleagues. Here's to Jim Paschke – and here's to the Bucks hopefully giving him one heck of a final season to cover. 

"You will see me in Milwaukee," Paschke said, in the release. "Please say hello. Do good and be well.”

Matt Mueller Culture Editor

As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.

When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.