From the Watson courts to Dyckman to Nike Pro City, Joe Pope has turned summer games into events. The voice on the mic is half the show — and everybody in the park knows it.
The stages and brands Joe works — Dyckman, the Watson, the Rose, Tri-State, and the Nike stages: Pro City, the Tournament of Champions, Rivington. Not paid sponsorships. The two open slots are where real sponsors buy in.
Joe Pope comes out of the Bronx River Houses in Soundview, and he sounds like it — a playground kid who grew up to run the park. His home court was the Watson Basketball Classic, and the mic has been in his hand ever since.
The style is comedy-first. Pope calls the game, works the crowd, and keeps the whole park loose — part play-by-play, part stand-up, all timing. Players play harder when he's on the mic. Spectators stay longer. Games become events.
“It's always a good time whenever Pope is on the mic.”
— Dave's Joint
Veteran announcerAs billed by ESPN
A familiar voice of the streetsAs billed by SLAM
Famed emceeAs billed by Dave's Joint
An OG on the micThe word around the parks
August 2011. Dyckman Park, Inwood. Kevin Durant vs. Michael Beasley — and the crowd was so deep there was no room left for the man calling the game.
So Pope called it from a parked car across the street. The rooftops around the park were full. The elevated train overhead stopped so the conductor could watch. And through all of it, the voice carrying over the park was his.
ESPN wrote the night up — and when they needed someone to explain what it felt like inside that crowd, they quoted the emcee.
The atmosphere was crazy, the crowd was prolific.
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Joe Pope is a Bronx streetball emcee from the Bronx River Houses in Soundview. His home court was the Watson Basketball Classic, and the mic has been in his hand ever since — the longtime voice of Dyckman, Nike Pro City, the Watson Classic, the Rose Classic, and the Tri-State Classic.
The style is comedy-first: part play-by-play, part stand-up, all timing. Players play harder when he's on the mic, spectators stay longer, and games become events.
“The atmosphere was crazy, the crowd was prolific.”
Joe Pope — quoted by ESPN, on Dyckman, August 2011
Veteran announcerAs billed by ESPN
A familiar voice of the streetsAs billed by SLAM
Famed emceeAs billed by Dave's Joint
An OG on the micThe word around the parks
Press and booking inquiries — use the booking form below and Joe's team will get back to you.
Coming Soon
The first Joe Pope collection is on its way. Check back soon — the drop lands here first.
Bring the voice to your run. Pope emcees tournaments, pro-ams, showcases, and branded basketball events — the games where the crowd is part of the product.
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Tournament hosting · Event emcee · Brand activations
