awfulannouncing
During the Golden State Warriors' home opener on Friday, the organization paid tribute to Michael Wagaman, a Bay Area sports journalist who passed away in early August at the age of 59. A jersey, a photograph, a bouquet of flowers, and a placard were placed in Wagaman's customary press-row seat, according to an article by awfulannouncing. The tribute came more than two months after his death and served as a reminder of the lasting impact he had on those who worked alongside him.
Wagaman had been covering Bay Area sports teams since 1996, including for the Associated Press, and at the time of his death he was freelancing for NBC Sports Bay Area and California. His passing prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues across the industry, many of whom took to social media to express their condolences and share memories. Dallas Braden, during his broadcast of an Athletics game on NBC Sports Bay Area and California, took a moment to honor Wagaman, saying, "I know there's a lot of writers across the Bay Area today who are mourning the loss of a man who has meant so much to them."
The Warriors' gesture was met with gratitude from those who knew Wagaman well. Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard wrote, "Nice tribute by the Warriors to the legendary Mike Wagaman who wrote so many great stories from that seat." Janie McCauley of the Associated Press added, "Thank you so much, wonderful @WarriorsPR! We all dearly miss him."
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr had spoken highly of Wagaman in August, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Kerr said, "Wags always stood out for his incredible personality and his ability to make people laugh. No matter what he was going through, he always brought great energy to the room. You knew when Wags was there. We're really going to miss him."
Before the Warriors' tribute, Cal Athletics, the San Francisco Giants, and the San Francisco 49ers had already honored Wagaman following his death. Cal Athletics released a statement that read, "In Memory of Mike 'Wags' Wagaman. We will forever miss Wags' hearty laugh and ever-present positivity in our press box. Saturdays at Memorial won't be the same without him. With deepest sympathies."
Wagaman died at his home in Vallejo on Aug. 7. His cause of death has not been publicly confirmed. Four years ago, his son created a GoFundMe page after Wagaman underwent emergency surgery to remove a brainstem tumor. Despite that health challenge, Wagaman continued to work and remained a beloved figure in Bay Area sports media.
Key Analysis
The tributes from the Warriors and other organizations underscore the deep respect and affection that Wagaman commanded throughout the Bay Area sports community. His nearly three-decade career spanned coverage of multiple teams and outlets, and his colleagues' reactions highlight not only his professional dedication but also his personal warmth and humor. The press-row memorial serves as a poignant symbol of his enduring presence in the press box and the collective loss felt by those who knew him.