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David Courtney, the arena announcer for the Los Angeles Kings and Clippers at Staples Center and the stadium announcer in Anaheim for the Angels, has died at age 56. No cause was given by the Kings, but Courtney had tweeted yesterday that he was at a hospital awaiting an angiogram. Courtney, a former media director for the Kings, had announced the team's games for 22 years, dating back to the Forum in Inglewood. This today from Luc Robitaille, the Kings' President of Business Operations:
David was tremendously passionate about the Kings, our fans and the game of hockey. His time with the Kings dates back to the mid 1970s both in our PR office as our public relations director and also with work he did in our video department before he took over full-time Public Announcing duties at the Forum and STAPLES Center. In the arena he was an institution — he was the voice of the Kings — and his work added so much to the live, in-game experience for our fans as it did for the Clippers and Angels as well. Next season would have been David' 35th year with our franchise, and on behalf of the entire Kings organization and AEG we are incredibly saddened by this news and we send our deepest condolences to his wife Janet and the rest of the Courtney family.
Courtney did games for the NFL Rams before they left Anaheim for St. Louis. He also has been a longtime an-air sports, traffic and news reporter on the radio for Metro Networks. He and his wife lived in Mission Viejo. Condolences have been posted to Twitter by, among others, Kings captain Dustin Brown, KNBC's Fred Roggin, KTLA's Jennifer Gould, the LAT's Helene Elliott and Bill Shaikin and ESPN Radio in LA.
Update: * Tom Hoffarth of the Daily News says that Courtney died of a pulmonary embolism. He also says that Courtney was 56, which agrees with the Clippers' bio and Courtney's entry on IMDb. (DOB Nov. 19, 1956.)
Los Angeles Dodgers public address announcer Eric Smith, who was the Clippers' public-address announcer before Courtney, filled in for Courtney on Wednesday night at Staples Center during the Clippers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Courtney's final words for Kings fans: "Ladies and gentlemen, the Stanley Cup!"
Tribute video edited quickly today by the Kings organization:
Statement from the Angels:
The Angels family is deeply saddened to hear of David’s passing. He was a gentle soul, a consummate professional and an unforgettable voice tied to several professional Southern California sports teams. Over the past 18 years, his love, dedication and passion for the Angels was evident every time his voice rang through the ballpark. Our thoughts and prayers go out to David’s family at this difficult time.
Statement from the Los Angeles Clippers:
Today our organization lost a good friend. In his years as public address announcer for Clippers’ home games, David Courtney was a consummate professional who brought a unique passion and energy to every event. We are saddened by his passing, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, Janet and the rest of his family. David will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched.
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