Legendary Lakers voice Lawrence Tanter retires after 40-plus years

Lawrence Tanter, the iconic Lakers public address announcer, is retiring after over 40 seasons calling home games.

Announcement of retirement Lawrence Tanter, the longtime public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers, is stepping down from his role after more than 40 years on the microphone during home games. The team shared this news on Tuesday. At age 76, Tanter will still contribute to the Lakers by serving as an adviser focused on game presentation. ## Tribute from leadership Jeanie Buss, the Lakers' governor, released a statement praising Tanter’s contributions. She described him as a key figure in the team’s game-day atmosphere for over four decades, highlighting his professionalism, energy, and powerful voice. Buss noted that Tanter has been part of every major moment in Lakers basketball since the 1980s, connecting fans, players, coaches, and staff while becoming a beloved and unforgettable part of the franchise. She expressed deep gratitude for his dedication to the organization. ## Health update and season impact Tanter experienced a stroke in March, which caused him to miss the final six home games of the regular season along with the playoffs. He remains in rehabilitation following the health setback. During his absence, Jason Barquero, the public address announcer for the Lakers’ G League affiliate team, took over the microphone duties for the remainder of the season. The Lakers did not announce a replacement for Tanter in their Tuesday statement. ## Legacy and iconic moments Recognized by fans simply as LT, Tanter’s smooth, deep voice served as the backdrop for the Lakers’ lineup changes, substitutions, foul calls, and score updates over 43 seasons. He holds the record as the longest-serving public address announcer in franchise history. His polished delivery reflected his background as a disc jockey at several jazz radio stations in Los Angeles. One of his most famous calls came when announcing the dance team, where he would enthusiastically greet the performers with, "The Laker girlllssss." ## Memorable championship moments Tanter’s role carried special significance during the Lakers’ championship run in the 2019-20 season. Following the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant in January, Tanter introduced all five starters before the first game back with the same iconic phrase: "6-6, 20th year out of Lower Merion High School, Kob-eeeeee Bryant!" Later that year, during the NBA Bubble in Orlando, Tanter recorded player intros from a home studio in Porter Ranch, California, which were then played at games held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. ## Early career background Tanter, who stands 6 feet 7 inches tall, played forward for his high school basketball team and earned a scholarship to the University of Dubuque in Iowa.