Bulls announcer Neil Funk retiring at end of season

CHICAGO -- Chicago Bulls TV play-by-play announcer Neil Funk is retiring at the end of the season.

The Bulls said Wednesday that Funk, the voice of five of their six championships, will step down after his 29th season with the team. He is scheduled to work all home games and a reduced schedule on the road.

Funk initially joined the Bulls as their radio play-by-play announcer and moved to the TV side. He began his broadcasting career in 1971 calling University of Illinois basketball and football as well as minor league baseball games. He later broadcast Philadelphia 76ers, Kansas City Kings and New Jersey Nets games.

Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said Funk "will be forever linked to three decades of storied Chicago Bulls basketball."