Monica McNutt becomes Knicks’ main radio analyst, will stay with MSG and ESPN

The New York Knicks have a new primary radio analyst, and it’s someone who will be quite familiar to many basketball fans. That would be Monica McNutt, known for her work at MSG, ESPN, NBC (for the Summer Olympics in 2021), TNT/NBATV, FS1, CBSSN and more. Newsday‘s Neil Best broke that news Tuesday:

In addition to taking over this primary radio analyst role on the MSG Radio Network (heard on ESPN New York 98.7 FM in New York City for the moment, although that network is dropping that FM signal next summer), McNutt will continue as a a pre- and post-game analyst for select MSG Networks’ local Knicks telecasts as well. And she’ll continue with her ESPN work, which includes serving as a host and analyst for WNBA and women’s college basketball studio coverage and appearing on their other shows, from First Take to SportsCenter. Here’s more from a MSG Networks release:

MSG Networks today announced Monica McNutt will serve as the primary New York Knicks radio analyst, calling the majority of Knicks games on 98.7FM ESPN New York, where she’ll provide listeners with expert commentary throughout the 2023-24 Knicks season.

McNutt will also continue her duties as a pre- and post-game analyst for select MSG Networks’ Knicks telecasts as well.

“I’m looking forward to working with my MSG Networks team for another season and contributing this season on 98.7FM ESPN New York,” said McNutt. “I love talking Knicks basketball and can’t wait to get going.”

“Monica is one of the most talented basketball analysts around, and we’re excited to have her expand her role at MSG Networks and join the 98.7 ESPN New York Knicks radio team,” said Kevin Marotta, senior vice president, marketing and content, MSG Networks. “Knicks fans respect her work and basketball acumen, which she’ll continue to provide on our pre and postgame shows as well.”

McNutt played basketball at Georgetown and earned a bachelor’s degree there in 2011, then earned a master’s in journalism from the Philip Merrill School of Journalism at the University of Maryland in 2013. (The top photo of her is from their alumni page for her.) She started at ESPN in 2019, working as an ACC Network host and analyst at first, then rising to their main network. She also started hosting Knicks’ alternate broadcasts for MSG in 2019, then joined their pre- and post-game show in 2021. And now she has an even larger role, and is one of several women taking larger roles on NBA coverage this season.

McNutt will work alongside returning play-by-play voice Ed Cohen on most of these broadcasts, with Cohen missing some early-season broadcasts for a minor medical issue and Don La Greca and Pat O’Keefe filling in. The primary radio analyst role became vacant in January when Brendan Brown was let go after a verbal harassment investigation; a variety of guest analysts, including McNutt, filled in for the remainder of the season. And she now has the full-time role.

[Newsday, MSG Networks]