NBC Sports has named Mike Tirico as the lead NBA play-by-play broadcaster when coverage begins during the 2025-2026 season on NBC and Peacock. It marks Tirico’s return to NBA coverage for the first time in nearly a decade.
Mike Tirico To Lead NBA Coverage On NBC
Tirico has extensive NBA experience, calling about 375 regular-season and playoff games from 2002-2016 for ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Radio. From 2003-2005, Tirico was the main studio host for ESPN’s coverage, including the NBA Finals and the presentation of the Larry O’Brien Trophy to…
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) January 22, 2025
Tirico is adding basketball to his resume.
Tirico will continue to serve as the NFL play-by-play broadcaster for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Because of his commitment to football, Tirico will only call select games when the NFL and NBA seasons overlap in the fall and early winter.
Tirico will call the NBA season opener in October 2025.
Once the NFL and Winter Olympics end in February 2026, Tirico will begin announcing one or more games per week.
“I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games,” Tirico said in a press release. “My 15 years of chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stands as one of the highlights of my career. Like so many others, my love of the league took hold during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC back in the ’90s. The chance to be a part of the team bringing that iconic partnership back to life has us incredibly excited.”
Tirico is no stranger to the NBA, having announced games for ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Radio from 2002-2016.
Who Will Join Mike Tirico On NBC’s Coverage Of The NBA?
20-season NBA veteran & 3-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year Jamal Crawford is joining NBC Sports as a game analyst when its coverage of the @NBA begins in October 2025 across #NBC and @Peacock https://t.co/wLt0wCKkUY
— NBC Sports PR (@NBCSportsPR) January 14, 2025
Tirico will be part of NBC’s “A” team. Who will be the lead analyst?
NBC Sports already announced the signing of Jamal Crawford. The 20-season NBA veteran will serve as a game analyst for NBC.
It’s unknown if Crawford will call games alongside Tirico. Crawford is currently announcing Knicks games for MSG Network. Crawford previously worked for Turner Sports and NBA TV.
NBC Sports is reportedly interested in adding Reggie Miller to its broadcasting lineup. A three-man crew of Tirico-Crawford-Miller is a possibility.
Noah Eagle and Dwayne Wade, who worked together during NBC’s Olympic coverage, are likely to be paired again for the NBA season.
The first year of the NBA’s new media rights deals with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon begins with the 2025-2026 season.
NBCUniversal will distribute up to 100 regular-season games, with more than half of the games airing on NBC (Sunday and Tuesday). Peacock will stream a doubleheader every Monday night of the season.
NBC is the new home of NBA All-Star Weekend.
