Thursday, March 28, 2024

Trailblazing LA Sportswriter and Broadcaster Brad Pye Jr. Has Died at Age 89 / VIDEO

*Unfortunately, we must report the passing of Los Angeles area trailblazing sportswriter and broadcaster, Brad Pye Jr., who died on July 5, from multiple illnesses. He was 89.

Brad Pye Jr. was the first Black sportscaster in Los Angeles. He held the position of sports director for radio stations KGFJ, KACE, KDAY, and KJLH, the four major Black stations in Los Angeles.

“Switch Reels” was a phrase Brad Pye made popular and was used during his sports broadcasts to indicate he was switching from one story to another. Mr. Pye was the sports editor for the Los Angeles Sentinel newspaper for nearly 30 years, during which time the newspaper won top awards from the National Newspaper Publishers Association for 10 consecutive years.

Brad Pye Jr. pioneered the efforts for Black journalists to be allowed in the press areas of professional sports teams. He was also the first Black administrator for the NFL Commissioner and the first Black public relations and scout for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers.

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Brad Pye 3
Brad Pye Jr.  Photo Credit:  Los Angeles Sentinel

Aside from his career in journalism, Brad Pye Jr. worked for the County of Los Angeles for 24 years and retired in 2011, after having served as assistant deputy chief to County Supervisors Kenneth Hahn and Yvonne Brathwaite Burke.

He received numerous awards and accolades during his career, including on June 22, 2015 when the City of Los Angeles named the gymnasium at St. Andrews Recreation Center the Brad Pye, Jr. Athletic Center, to honor the man that was the first Black President of the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks Board of Commissioners.

Brad Pye Jr. will be remembered for his many contributions to Los Angeles and to Black journalism.

marilyn smith
Marilyn Smith

Marilyn Smith is a Los Angeles based writer/reviewer. Contact her via [email protected].

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