Longtime Celtics radio play-by-play voice Sean Grande said that his intent is to “be back with the Celtics, with whom he is under contract for more than three more years,” after a “cryptic” sign-off during Game 5 of the NBA Finals, according to Chad Finn of the BOSTON GLOBE. As he signed off for the season, Grande -- who has called Celtics games on the radio with analyst Cedric Maxwell since 2001-2002 -- “sounded an awful lot like he was saying goodbye.” Grande: “I recognize that being the voice of the Boston Celtics is probably the first line of my obituary one day. It has been an honor in every way, shape and form an honor could be.” Finn notes Grande’s name over the last few months has “turned up in industry rumors about openings elsewhere, including the Knicks radio gig and the Bruins’ television play-by-play spot on NESN,” which is “currently vacant” due to Jack Edwards’ retirement. Grande said that the intention of the sign-off was “not to suggest that it might be his last game,” but to “salute Celtics fans who make a point to listen to the radio broadcast.” He said, “That sign-off was a thank you to listeners for the effort people put into listening to us.” Grande noted that it “isn’t as easy as it used to be to sync the radio and television broadcasts.” He said it “got more attention than other sign-offs in the years, but it wasn’t a lot different from other ones” (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/25).
