The current logo that is used on NBA on ESPN broadcasts (2022-present). (Tamir Moore/Blogger)
Monday, October 14, 2024
- With just over one week until the 2024-25 NBA season begins, ESPN reveals their full on-air commentator lineup for the 2024-25 season.
- Analyst Jay Bilas, Analyst Tim Legler and Play-by-play commentator Michael Grady joins ESPN/ABC's game coverage this season.
- Five Naismith Basketball Hall of Famers are set to contribute to ESPN and ABC's game/studio coverage this year.
On Monday (October 14), ESPN disclosed their complete game and studio commentator roster, in addition to the reporters, for the upcoming 2024-25 season (which starts on Tuesday, October 22). This is the 23rd straight year that ESPN/ABC will be televising games, going back to the 2002-03 season. Among the expansive roster for ESPN/ABC this season is FIVE Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame media members, featuring broadcasters Mike Breen, Hubie Brown & Doris Burke, plus writers Michael Wilbon and Marc J. Spears.
Play-by-Play:
Veteran play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, who has called a record 19 NBA Finals, will resume his role as lead play-by-play announcer for ABC/ESPN in 2024-25. Joining Breen for regular play-by-play assignments are Ryan Ruocco, Dave Pasch and Mark Jones. A new addition to the play-by-play stable for the 2024-25 season is Michael Grady, who currently serves as the primary Minnesota Timberwolves play-by-play announcer. Grady has previously worked for ESPN in 2024, calling select Summer League games.
Analysts:
Doris Burke continues her groundbreaking media career as an analyst (and formerly a sideline reporter for many years). This past June, when Burke called the Mavericks vs. Celtics NBA Finals, Doris became the first woman to ever be a main analyst for a men's team sports championship event. In addition to Burke, other regular analysts include Hubie Brown, Stephanie White, Richard Jefferson, and Bob Myers. Furthermore, NBA on ESPN studio analyst Tim Legler and longtime ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas receive expanded roles and will call NBA games for ESPN/ABC this season. Cory Alexander, who has worked Summer League games, college basketball games, and NBA games on ESPN Radio, is also getting an expanded slot to work regular season NBA games on ESPN.
Sideline reporters:
Veteran NBA on ESPN sideline reporters Lisa Salters and Cassidy Hubbarth return to cover the sport's biggest events via marquee games throughout the regular season and NBA Playoffs. Joining Salters and Hubbarth as reporters this season are Katie George, Jorge Sedano, Monica McNutt and Angel Gray, who have all joined the NBA on ESPN sideline reporting team over the past few seasons, continue in this position.
Studio teams (NBA Countdown and NBA Today):
NBA Countdown on ABC
Host Malika Andrews starts her second season as the lead NBA Countdown host on ABC. NBA Countdown on ABC will air generally prior to NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC, NBA Sunday Showcase, Christmas games, NBA Playoff games, and most importantly, NBA Finals presented by YouTube TV games. Malika is joined once again at the ABC NBA Countdown desk by Stephen A. Smith and Bob Myers. Kendrick Perkins expands his role to now include NBA Countdown on ABC appearances, to supplement Big Perk's ESPN Countdown work. Michael Wilbon and new ESPN Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania will appear often throughout the season.
NBA Countdown on ESPN
To complement her NBA Countdown role on ABC, Malika Andrews will also host the ESPN editions of NBA Countdown. NBA Countdown will generally airs Wednesdays and Fridays on ESPN, features Andrews alongside a team of analysts. Regular analysts for the Wednesday and Friday versions of NBA Countdown include Chiney Ogwumike, Richard Jefferson and Kendrick Perkins. Brian Windhorst and Tim Legler are expected to make regular contributions.
NBA Today on ESPN (weekday studio program)
NBA Today, ESPN's weekday NBA news and information program that launched in 2021, returns for the fourth straight season. Malika Andrews returns as the lead host once again (with Cassidy Hubbarth, Monica McNutt & Chiney Ogwumike all filling in for Andrews on select days), with returning "lead" analysts Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike & Richard Jefferson. Reporters Brian Windhorst and Ramona Shelburne, plus analysts Victor Oladipo and Tim Legler, are slated to join NBA Today on a regular basis. NBA Today airs from 3:00 PM (ET) to 4:00 PM (ET) Monday through Friday on ESPN (with the Monday show shifting to ESPN2 during football season).
Last week, ESPN officially welcomed Shams Charania as the network's new senior NBA Insider. Charania is expected to make regular appearances on ESPN NBA programming this season, including NBA Countdown and NBA Today. In addition, Shams will also make appearances on other ESPN news and information platforms, including First Take, Get Up and SportsCenter. For more information about Shams and his new role on ESPN, check this ESPN Press Room article from last week.
NBA on ESPN Insiders/Reporters for 2024-25 Season
Shams Charania joins a strong list of NBA on ESPN insiders/reporters reporting for ESPN.com and ESPN+, who are also slated to make select television appearances during the season. The fine reporting roster includes Kendra Andrews, Marc J. Spears, Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Jonathan Givony, Chris Herring, Baxter Holmes, Tim MacMahon, Bobby Marks, Dave McMenamin, Kevin Pelton, Ramona Shelburne, Brian Windhorst, Jeremy Woo, Michael C. Wright, and Ohm Youngmisuk.
- 2024-2025 NBA on ESPN/ABC Announcer Roster Summary:
Game Commentators:
. Play-by-play: Mike Breen (lead), Ryan Ruocco, Dave Pasch, Mark Jones, Michael Grady (new!)
. Analysts: Doris Burke (lead), Richard Jefferson, Bob Myers, Stephanie White, Hubie Brown, Tim Legler (new!), Jay Bilas (new!), Cory Alexander (new!)
. Sideline reporters: Lisa Salters (lead), Cassidy Hubbarth, Katie George, Jorge Sedano, Monica McNutt, Angel Gray
Studio Commentators:
. NBA Countdown (ABC - NBA Saturday Primetime and NBA Sunday Showcase)
Malika Andrews (host), Stephen A. Smith (analyst), Bob Myers (analyst), Kendrick Perkins (analyst), Michael Wilbon (analyst) & Shams Charania (insider)
. NBA Countdown (ESPN - Wednesdays and Fridays)
Malika Andrews (host), Kendrick Perkins (analyst), Chiney Ogwumike (analyst), Richard Jefferson (analyst), Tim Legler (regular analyst) & Brian Windhorst (regular analyst/insider)
. NBA Today (ESPN - Mondays through Fridays, 3:00 PM ET to 4:00 PM ET/12:00 PM PT to 1:00 PM PT)
Malika Andrews (host), Kendrick Perkins (analyst), Richard Jefferson (analyst), Chiney Ogwumike (analyst), Tim Legler (analyst), Brian Windhorst (reporter), Ramona Shelburne (reporter). Other contributors, including Shams Charania and Victor Oladipo, will also appear throughout the season.
Links 🖇 to ABC and ESPN 2024-25 NBA Schedule:
. Sources 🛈: ESPN Press Room (talent announcement)
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