ESPN has finally confirmed all the reports about its NBA broadcasting changes.
ESPN officially announced on August 14 the additions of former NBA head coach Doc Rivers and Hall of Fame broadcaster Doris Burke on its “new lead broadcaster team,” replacing Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, both of whom were let go over the last two months by ESPN. The announcement confirms reports first made by The New York Post.
The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) -) network let go of around 20 on-air talents in late June, and has continued to make shake ups since including the dismissal of Jackson.
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The announcement also declared the network's “second core NBA broadcast team” to consist of play-by-play anchor Ryan Ruocco alongside former NBA players Richard Jefferson and JJ Redick. Jefferson and Redick are both fairly new to the network -- the former joined in 2019, the latter in 2021 -- but have quickly grown their respective stars at ESPN.
ESPN also announced that Malika Andrews would be leading all ESPN and ABC studio coverage, including becoming the host of “NBA Countdown.” She will be replacing Mike Greenberg, who will remain with the network hosting shows like “Get Up.”
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Andrews will be joined on “NBA Countdown” by a new member of the ESPN family that had also been previously reported: former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers. The two-time NBA Executive of the Year is credited with drafting the Warriors core of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, as well as facilitating the signings of head coach Steve Kerr and former Warrior Kevin Durant.
These moves helped the franchise get out from decades of struggle to become the most successful franchise of the past decade, with four NBA titles since 2015.
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