After a decade of courtside calls and memorable moments, Minnesota Timberwolves play-by-play announcer Dave Benz is leaving Bally Sports North. The decision not to renew Benz’s contract option marks the end of an era for Timberwolves broadcasts, leaving fans and the announcer himself in shock. Benz, who partnered with color analyst Jim Petersen to form a beloved broadcast duo, expressed his heartbreak to The Athletic, stating he was “stunned” by the news delivered on Wednesday morning.
“It’s very disheartening and very sad because I’ve grown to love my time with the team and the players and the coaches, the people in the front office, the people on the Bally side,” Dave Benz explained in an interview. “Everybody’s been fantastic. Today has really been a gut-wrenching day for me to say the least. It definitely was not something I saw coming.”
Dave Benz joined the Timberwolves in 2012, stepping into the role previously held by Tom Hanneman. Over his nine seasons, Benz became a fixture for Timberwolves fans, earning four Emmy awards for his play-by-play work in the Upper Midwest and another shared Emmy for the entire broadcast team’s coverage. His energetic style and insightful commentary resonated with viewers, making him a respected voice in the league.
Bally Sports North has not released an official statement regarding the change. The Timberwolves issued a brief acknowledgment, stating, “We would like to thank Dave Benz for his 10 years of service as the Minnesota Timberwolves play-by-play voice. We appreciate all the memories he has provided our players and fans from his calls throughout the years. We wish him the best of luck in the next chapter of his broadcasting career.” They declined to comment further on the decision.
Benz revealed that discussions about his contract renewal were unusually delayed this year, raising some initial concerns as the Timberwolves season progressed. Typically, he received confirmation of his return in early spring. However, with the team’s playoff run and the evolving media landscape, including Bally Sports North’s exploration of streaming services, the timing aligned for a change in their view, according to conversations with BSN and the Timberwolves. Benz emphasized he was assured that the decision was not performance-related, but rather a mutual feeling that “it was time for a fresh start.”
“Am I disappointed? For sure. Am I shocked? A hundred percent,” Dave Benz admitted. “Do I have any ill will towards anybody? I’m not going to say that I’m happy, but I don’t have negative thoughts for anybody. They’re entitled to do what they want to do and I’ve had nothing but great experiences and great memories and great relationships with all the people that I’ve worked with. As hard as this day is, that’s what I’m going to take with me, is what an amazing 10 years I’ve had.”
Despite the disappointing news, Dave Benz can look back on a successful tenure marked by critical acclaim and fan appreciation. His partnership with Jim Petersen was consistently lauded by NBA analysts and fans alike. Their broadcast was regularly highlighted by figures like ESPN’s Zach Lowe and The Ringer’s Ryen Russillo as one of the league’s top pairings, appreciated for Petersen’s basketball acumen and Benz’s passionate delivery. Their chemistry was evident from the start, as Benz recalled a tryout where he mistakenly identified Kevin Love as Luke Ridnour during a broadcast of a past game, drawing a humorous response from Petersen and sparking their on-air rapport.
“Jim is one of my best friends,” Benz shared, his voice filled with emotion. “That’s the hardest thing for me is that I’m going to miss my best friend. I’m going to miss my brother. I’m going to miss everyone that I work with in the truck that is part of the traveling party. We’ve grown together over the years and shared so many memories on the road and dinners and a couple beers here and there.”
Beyond his on-air presence, Dave Benz was known for his proactive approach to broadcasting, actively engaging with coaches and players to gather insights for his commentary. He was a familiar figure at pregame press conferences and on the court, always seeking to enhance his broadcasts with in-depth knowledge. His curiosity extended to unique in-game scenarios, famously asking every coach about their defensive strategy when leading by three points late in a game.
Benz’s broadcasts were also characterized by his enthusiasm for even the most obscure statistics, often referencing data from Sportradar to add unexpected depth to the game narrative. He brought a unique and often humorous perspective to the broadcasts, endearing him to fans who appreciated his passion and dedication.
“I definitely had a unique way of looking at things sometimes,” Dave Benz chuckled. “Listen, at the end of the day, those guys had to love it because I was job security for them.”
Dave Benz spoke fondly of Tom Hanneman’s welcoming attitude when he joined the Timberwolves, and despite covering teams that largely struggled during his time, he accumulated a collection of memorable moments. These included Kevin Garnett’s emotional return to Minnesota, Rick Adelman’s 1,000th coaching victory, the dramatic Game 82 playoff-clinching win in 2018, Karl-Anthony Towns’ 60-point performance, and the rise of Anthony Edwards into a young NBA star.
“It’s just been an amazing, amazing ride,” Benz reflected. “I will forever be grateful for the opportunities I had.”
One of Dave Benz’s most recognizable contributions to Timberwolves broadcasts was the introduction of “Ant Facts.” These quirky, researched nuggets about ants, delivered with booming enthusiasm after an Anthony Edwards highlight play, became a signature element of his style. The “Ant Facts” originated from Benz’s desire to create a memorable call for Edwards’ spectacular dunks, seeking a unique way to capture the young star’s exciting plays.
“I said, ‘Boy, this kid really is amazing. He’s going to have more special moments and I need to think of something that I can do that’s special that’s on par with what he’s doing on the court,’” Benz recalled. “So the idea popped into my head. The first time I presented it to Jim he did not love it. But I went with it anyway.”
ANTS CAN KILL!
ANTS BURY THEIR DEAD!
EDWARDS SNIFFS OUT A STEAL, AND ANTS HAVE COMPOUND EYES! HE SAW THAT ALL THE WAY!
ANTS ARE MOST ACTIVE AT NIGHT SO ANT NO DOUBT IS LIKING THIS 8 P.M. TIP!
While his enthusiasm was sometimes playfully noted, Dave Benz and Jim Petersen were respected for their balanced and objective commentary, even when broadcasting for their home team. Benz was unafraid to call out Timberwolves errors and conveyed genuine disappointment during tough losses, earning credibility with fans and analysts.
“What a gut punch,” Benz’s voice would often reflect after a painful defeat.
This past season marked a turning point, with the Timberwolves achieving success and generating renewed excitement. The team’s playoff appearance and promising future made Benz even more enthusiastic about the seasons ahead, adding to the surprise of his departure.
“This year there was so much cohesiveness and so much likeability of the players and the coaches and everybody associated with the team,” he noted. “It just made it really enjoyable. There was a sense of inclusiveness as well. From Sachin Gupta to Chris Finch to all of the assistant coaches, to KAT and D-Lo and Ant, everybody on the roster, there was nobody that felt unapproachable or that I couldn’t have a conversation with and if I asked a question, I got an answer.”
Dave Benz also valued his connection with Timberwolves fans, actively engaging on social media and interacting with them at games. He expressed deep gratitude for their support.
“I really owe a debt of gratitude to the fans,” he said. “The relationships with a lot of those people, and hopefully a lot of the fans, will continue well beyond this.”
Turning 53 on May 17th, Dave Benz remains optimistic about his future. His decade with the Timberwolves has solidified his confidence and he intends to explore new opportunities in broadcasting. Bally Sports North and the Timberwolves will now commence a search for his replacement, a process expected to take considerable time.
“I don’t want to say anything but positive things about the team and the network and the experience,” Dave Benz concluded. “I’m blessed to have been given my opportunity to have my hands on the wheel and be the soundtrack of this team for a decade. To be able to say that I had 10 years in the NBA, there’s not a lot of people that can say that.”
