Lakers Hired Derrin Horton as Announcer
The seven-time Emmy winner replaces the late Lawrence Tanter following a 43-year tenure for the voice of the franchise.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Basketball
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Should a sports team's new public voice preserve the style of their long-serving predecessor?
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially named Derrin Horton as their new public address announcer. He steps into the role following the death of longtime announcer Lawrence Tanter, who retired in June 2026 after 43 years.
Why it matters
Horton was selected to maintain the continuity of the arena experience in Los Angeles following the passing of the legendary Tanter in late September 2026. Lakers president Lon Rosen confirmed Horton's selection after an audition process where he was encouraged to use his own natural voice rather than mimicking his predecessor.
Derrin Horton brings 35 years of total broadcasting experience and 15 years as a KTLA sports anchor to the role. He has been covering Los Angeles basketball for 30 years and holds seven Emmy Awards.
The players
Derrin Horton
He is an experienced broadcaster and seven-time Emmy Award winner with three decades of experience covering sports in Los Angeles.
Lawrence Tanter
He was the voice of the Los Angeles Lakers for 43 years until his retirement in June 2026.
Lon Rosen
He serves as the president of the Los Angeles Lakers and oversaw the search for a new announcer.
Pooh Jeter
He is a former player who transitioned into coaching and was recently hired as the director of scouting for the Lakers.
Eric Amsler
He is an assistant GM for the Los Angeles Lakers who joined the front office staff in September 2026.
The details
Horton emerged as the chosen voice for the Lakers after an extensive audition process conducted at the team's facility. The organization also bolstered its basketball operations staff by hiring Pooh Jeter as director of scouting, joining other recent front-office additions like assistant GM Eric Amsler.
Timeline
Derrin Horton graduated from Syracuse University in 1991.
Lawrence Tanter retired from his Lakers role in June 2026.
Lawrence Tanter died in late September 2026.
The Lakers announced the hiring of Derrin Horton on October 1, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The hiring of a new public address announcer signals a transition phase for the Lakers as they simultaneously restructure their front office personnel. This change marks the end of the longest-standing voice in franchise history and sets a new tone for the game-day experience in Los Angeles.
Fans attending games at the arena will now hear the voice of Derrin Horton, who was explicitly instructed by team leadership to use his natural vocal delivery. This shift marks the first time in over four decades that the Lakers have a primary public address announcer other than Lawrence Tanter.
The takeaway
Selecting a new voice after such a lengthy period requires balancing professional expertise with the need for a seamless transition for long-term supporters. Derrin Horton's extensive local experience is intended to bridge that gap while bringing a fresh perspective to the Lakers' game-day operations.
Further reading
For more updates on the team's organizational changes, visit Basketball.
Live Poll
Should a sports team's new public voice preserve the style of their long-serving predecessor?
