Dave Pasch, the longtime radio play-by-play voice for the Arizona Cardinals, announced he is stepping away from that role following 24 seasons to focus on an expanded and exclusive role with ESPN.
The move comes one year after Pasch’s longtime partner in the Cardinals’ broadcast booth, Ron Wolfley, announced he was retiring as the team’s radio color analyst. Wolfley was replaced by former NFL center A.Q. Shipley, who enters his second season in that role.
“Thank you to Michael Bidwill and the Arizona Cardinals for a rewarding 24-year journey with the organization,” Pasch said, referencing the Cardinals’ owner, in a post he wrote on X. “I am grateful to Michael and his father, Bill Bidwill, who in 2002 entrusted me with the opportunity to be the voice of an NFL franchise.
“I will always treasure the lifelong friendships formed with broadcast teammates Jim Omohundro, Ron Wolfley, AQ Shipley, and Paul Calvisi. I was blessed to witness and call memorable games including Super Bowl XLIII, and legendary players like Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald among others.”
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The Cardinals won’t have much time to find a new radio play-by-play voice as they open their preseason schedule on Aug.6 against the Carolina Panthers in the NFL Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
Pasch has spent the past two decades broadcasting college football and NBA games for ESPN and informed The Republic that he will also be adding some NFL games to his work schedule.
ESPN play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets at Crypto.com Arena on Jan. 19, 2024.
“I’ll miss doing the Cardinals’ games, but it’s an incredible opportunity to work exclusively with ESPN, and it’s an expanded role,” Pasch said in a text message to the Republic.
Pasch said his favorite moment calling a Cardinals game came during the 2008 season when the team advanced to the Super Bowl and the game itself at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The Cardinals lost to the Steelers, 27-23.
“I’ll never forget the flight to Tampa,” Pasch told the Republic. “I had a college basketball game in Pittsburgh and flew down the day before the Super Bowl, and the plane was full of Steelers fans. I was wearing a suit because I had come from calling a game, so it was a dead giveaway I wasn’t rooting for the Steelers because they all had jerseys on.
“I also remember the bus ride to the game sitting behind Kurt Warner, just wondering what was going through his mind.”
Michael Bidwill thanked Pasch for his years of contribution in a statement posted on the team’s website.
“We cannot thank Dave and his family enough for what they have meant to our organization over the last 24 seasons, and we are thrilled for them as they begin this exciting new chapter,” Bidwill said. “Dave was always much more than just a voice describing the action on the field.
“His extraordinary talent, professionalism and passion elevated every broadcast, bringing a level of credibility and gravitas that made every play and every game feel special. We wish Dave, Hallie and their family nothing but continued success and happiness in the years ahead.”
Pasch said he and his family plan to keep residing in the Valley.
“We love Phoenix and can’t imagine being anywhere else and plan to stay here,” he told the Republic.
