The "Black History Always" logo used for ESPN's NBA broadcasts. (📸 Photo courtesy of ESPN Press Room)
| 🔶 Tuesday, September 9, 2025
- Mark Jones, three-time NBA champion Shaun Livingston, and pioneering sports broadcaster Robin Roberts to form broadcast team.
- Maria Taylor, Richard Jefferson, Chiney Ogwumike, David Dennis Jr., & Lisa Salters to lead "NBA Countdown" pregame show and "NBA: After the Buzzer" postgame show on Wednesday, September 17.
- More than 40 African American employees contribute to ESPN's NBA coverage. ESPN production staff and personnel to have roles showcased on the air.
- ESPN and Andscape to collaborate on exclusive content for a variety of platforms.
ESPN's continuous celebration of Black History Always will showcase the first-ever all-Black staffed NBA: Summer Series game broadcast on Wednesday, September 17, at 7:00 PM ET, featuring the Atlanta Hawks hosting the San Antonio Spurs on ESPN. The coverage will be managed by an all-Black staff in all essential roles, including production, operations, transmission, social media, graphics, statistics, commentators, and more.
In total, over 40 Black employees will participate in ESPN's NBA coverage across game and studio platforms throughout the day, with most of them being regular contributors to its basketball coverage throughout the year.
“I’m thrilled that this broadcast can inspire young people dreaming of a career in sports broadcasting while also bringing together so many talented industry professionals,” said Rodney Vaughn, ESPN Producer. “It feels like we are creating Black history in real time.”
Broadcast Team:
Longtime play-by-play commentator Mark Jones provides commentary alongside analyst and three-time NBA champion Shaun Livingston and reporter Robin Roberts. The game will be produced by Rodney Vaughn and directed by Paul Ervin.
NBA on ESPN Studio Team:
ESPN's NBA studio coverage on Wednesday, September 17 will feature an African-American crew. Maria Taylor will host NBA Countdown (6:00 PM ET - 7:00 PM ET) & NBA: After the Buzzer (12:00 AM ET - 1:00 AM ET) from ESPN's Los Angeles Production Center in Los Angeles, California.
NBA on ESPN analysts, including Richard Jefferson, Chiney Ogwumike, David Dennis Jr., and Lisa Salters, join Taylor for both programs. The September 17 edition of NBA Countdown and NBA: After the Buzzer is set to be produced by Demetrius Harris and directed by Terrell Bouza.
Andscape:
Andscape, in conjunction with ESPN’s studio and broadcast coverage of Black History Always, will present a variety of features focusing on influential figures within the industry. This includes an insightful essay by Marc J. Spears that delves into the broadcasting career of Mark Jones. Additionally, Andscape will create a special video segment titled "Life in the Control Room," which will showcase footage from ESPN’s production facility in Charlotte.
Further production highlights will include:
- Video essays presented by renowned sports journalism icons Michael Wilbon and William Rhoden.
- Video segments that emphasize the contributions of Black sports television pioneers and significant historical figures, both in front of and behind the camera.
- An exhibition of the crew's preparations in both Atlanta and Bristol throughout the game.
In alignment with ESPN’s ongoing dedication to nurturing the growth of Black leaders within the industry, ESPN will collaborate with Clark Atlanta University to provide students in the university’s Mass Media program with an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of ESPN’s mobile units at the game site.
All NBA: Summer Series games and studio programming are available through the ESPN App.
|| Sources 🛈: ESPN Press Room ||
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