Derrin Horton Steps into Lakers PA Role, Aims to Honor Legacy
New announcer Derrin Horton emphasizes authenticity in his audition and approach, aiming to blend his own style with the team's iconic 'Showtime' era.
Derrin Horton has been named the new public address announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers, taking over a role previously held for over four decades by the late Lawrence Tanter. Horton, a seasoned sports broadcaster, aims to honor Tanter's legacy while establishing his own voice.
During his audition, Horton initially found himself trying to emulate Tanter's style, a natural inclination given his deep admiration for the longtime announcer. However, Lakers President of Business Operations Lon Rosen instructed Horton to "knock it off" and instead showcase his own authentic voice. This directive resonated with Horton, who recalled, "He was like, ‘That’s what I want. Just be yourself.’ So that was pretty special."
Horton described the PA announcer position as a "dream" come true. He graduated from Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications in 1991 and has been a fixture in Southern California sports broadcasting since 1998, working with KCAL-TV, Fox Sports, and the NFL TV Network, and contributing to NFL Films. He is a seven-time Emmy Award winner.
His first game as the Lakers' PA announcer will be Thursday, Oct. 8, during a preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Horton, who grew up in New York, fell in love with the Lakers' "Showtime" era. He had the opportunity to speak with Lawrence Tanter before his passing, considering him a friend.
Horton's broadcasting career began with announcing high school games, a role he took on because he "was not good enough to make the team." He plans to focus on being informative and energetic, aiming to enhance the fan experience without overshadowing the game itself. He expressed gratitude that the Lakers organization is allowing him to develop his style.
Reflecting on Tanter, Horton acknowledged, "There’s no way that you can ever emulate or be LT." He noted Tanter's preferred style as "understated and professional." Horton's primary goal is to be entertaining and energetic, believing other elements of his style will develop naturally. He hopes to do Tanter proud, recognizing the announcer's legacy built over five decades. Horton expressed regret that he couldn't have a pre-game chat with Tanter before his first official game.