There have been some pretty dang good duos in New Orleans since NBA basketball returned to the city in 2002.
There was Chris Paul and David West.
And there was Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday.
But don’t forget about Joel Meyers and Antonio Daniels, the team’s television broadcast crew that will continue their run calling Pelicans’ games this season.
The Pelicans announced Monday that they have signed play-by-play announcer Meyers and color analyst Daniels to a multi-year contract extension.
Meyers and Daniels have handled broadcast duties for the Pelicans since 2019. This season will be their seventh season working together.
“New Orleans has become home for me, and I’m honored to continue calling games for a franchise that’s on the rise in a city I love,” Meyers said in a statement issued by the team. “We have a special group here – on the court and in the community – and I’m thankful to be part of the journey. Our fans are as passionate as any in the league, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
Meyers, who has been in broadcasting for over 40 years, enters his 14th season with the franchise. He was named the Louisiana Sportscaster of the Year for 2024 by the National Sports Media Association for his work on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network.
Daniels, who played 14 seasons in the NBA including the 2008-’09 season with the then-New Orleans Hornets, joined Meyers courtside in 2019.
“It is a true blessing to continue with this amazing organization and incredible fan base,” Daniels said in a statement. “I’m excited and eager about the direction the Pelicans are headed in with a young, exciting team full of talent and potential. The culture is on the move. I am blessed to get to continue telling these stories and sharing my knowledge and insight about the game I love and am so passionate about. I look forward to continuing to connect and engage with these fans who make this job so rewarding on so many levels.”
Andrew Lopez, who previously worked for _The Times-Picayune_ and then ESPN, will return for his second season as TV sideline reporter.
Meyers and Daniels, or simply “Joel and A.D.” as most people call them, have gained a large following among the Pelicans’ fan base. Fans often approach them before games to pose for pictures or seek autographs.
“They’re like folk heroes,” Pelicans’ director of communications Matt Ryan said about the two in an interview in 2024.
Ryan sits courtside by the duo during games, so he sees their work up close. Now he’ll get to see that chemistry continue.
“They bring energy, professionalism, and an unmatched love for the game that reflects the spirit of our organization and fan base,” said Pelicans’ governor Gayle Benson. “Their passion, insight, and chemistry have made them fan favorites across the Gulf South region.”