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| A graphic promoting the NBA Pioneers Classic, an annual game that highlights early NBA African-American pioneers, including Chuck Cooper, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, & Earl Lloyd. (Andscape) |
| ⏵ Sunday, September 20, 2026 (Press Release)
🟎 Highlights:
- 45 African-American employees to contribute to ESPN’s NBA Pioneers Classic coverage; Black team members to serve in vital game production roles.
- ESPN and Andscape to team up to distribute exclusive content surrounding this game on a wide net of platforms, including online and linear.
ESPN is proud to announce that it will exclusively televise the first-ever NBA Pioneers Classic as the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday, September 27 at 3:30 PM ET. This event will become an annual event, highlighting the everlasting impact of the NBA’s early African-American pioneers — celebrating the 75th anniversary of NBA Pioneers Chuck Cooper, Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton, & Earl Lloyd, the league’s first Black players — while highlighting the league’s history during a late-season Eastern Conference matchup. Both teams will wear special commemorative jersey patches and warm-up shirts for the matchup, and the winning team will be awarded the NBA Pioneers Classic Trophy.
This game will mark the second straight year that ESPN presents an NBA broadcast with African Americans prominently featured in on-air roles, including as game announcers and in the production crew.
In all, 45 black employees will contribute to ESPN’s studio and game coverage throughout the day.
“I’m proud to be involved with the inaugural Pioneers Classic and to help tell the story of the three men who integrated the NBA 75 years ago — men whose impact is foundational,” said Rodney Vaughn, ESPN Producer. “Through this broadcast, we hope to bring their legacy forward, honoring not only what they changed in the game, but what their courage continues to represent today.”
Commentary team:
Rising broadcasting star Lathan Dunbar-Keys (play-by-play), NBA Champion Richard Jefferson (analyst) & Malika Andrews (courtside reporter) will cover the Bucks-Celtics NBA Pioneers Classic. Rodney Vaughn will serve as producer for the telecast.
NBA Countdown and NBA: After the Buzzer:
NBA Countdown presented by Target will precede the game at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN App, hosted by Quentin Menefee and working alongside NBA Champions Quinn Cook and Pascal Siakam, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Rebecca Lobo, and ESPN NBA Insider Devon Henderson. Bucks head coach Doc Rivers will be interviewed during the pregame show. NBA: After the Buzzer presented by PS5 will follow the game at 6:00 PM ET. Sunday’s studio shows will be produced by Demetrius Harris and directed by Terrell Bouza.
Andscape:
Andscape will enhance ESPN’s studio and broadcast coverage by presenting a series of features that celebrate the legacy and impact of NBA pioneers. Senior Writer Marc J. Spears will provide insights from Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, who will discuss the significance of the game and the contributions of these groundbreaking athletes to the league today.
Additional highlights of the production include:
- In-depth stories that explore the careers of three NBA pioneers, complemented by archival game footage, images, and graphics.
- In-game segments that commemorate Boston’s rich history of Black head coaches, featuring Doc Rivers — who led the Boston Celtics to an NBA Championship in 2008 and currently coaches the Milwaukee Bucks — alongside other notable figures.
- A live pregame address by Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown.
- The on-site production crew will don Pioneers Classic black hoodies, courtesy of the NBA, as part of the celebration.
- Exclusive behind-the-scenes access to ESPN’s production teams in Atlanta and Bristol, illustrating their meticulous preparation for the event.
- In-game mic’d-up segments featuring Bobby Portis Jr. and Jaylen Brown.
- During the Classic, the NBA Foundation and NBPA Foundation will present the “NBA Pioneers” Scholarship to West Virginia State University and Xavier University of Louisiana, honoring the alma maters of Chuck Cooper, Earl Lloyd, and Nathaniel “Sweetwater” Clifton. This scholarship will continue to support HBCU academic and athletic programs across the nation for the next five years.
All NBA programming from ESPN and ABC is also accessible through the ESPN App.
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