When it was announced that the NBA would be returning to NBC Sports, the first thing most basketball fans asked was, “Is Roundball Rock coming back with it?” The answer to that question was recently confirmed as yes.
Now, as Roundball Rock returns, John Tesh, who composed the iconic theme, is releasing a whole dang album.
The six-time Emmy Award-winning and two-time Grammy-nominated composer, broadcaster, and musician announced Sports, his first album of all-original music in over 20 years.
“With Sports, Tesh comes full circle—melding his signature musical style with the high-stakes drama of athletic competition,” reads the press release. “The album features 11 brand-new instrumental tracks inspired by his experiences as a network journalist covering iconic events like the Tour de France, Ironman Triathlon, Olympic Games, and NBA broadcasts, as well as composing for them. These new tracks feature Tesh’s trademark blend of orchestral power and rock energy that his longtime fans have loved for decades.”
To answer your question, yes, the original version of Roundball Rock will be available on the album, as well as Roundball Rock: The Shredded Version, which “fuses Tesh’s arena-rock instincts with virtuosic electric guitar work—an evolution that’s both nostalgic and daring.”
“After decades of composing for major sports broadcasts and covering historic events as a journalist, this album feels like a homecoming,” says Tesh in the release. “Sports is my way of translating the thrill, heartbreak, and inspiration of athletic competition into music. Whether you’re chasing a finish line or just need motivation to push through your day, I wanted this music to move you the way great sports moments have always moved me.”
Sports will be available this September 5 on all major streaming platforms and vinyl/CD. Just in time for NBC’s return to NBA broadcasting on October 21.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.