After Jeff Van Gundy was part of ESPN’s talent layoffs, the network knew it would need to reshape its lead commentary booth for marquee National Basketball Association games. According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, it has a plan in place to ensure its NBA broadcasts remain among the best in the league at the concussion of the national media rights deal, set to expire at the end of the 2024-25 regular season. ESPN is reportedly promoting longtime commentator Doris Burke to its lead broadcast team, which will move her to the NBA Finals on ABC after calling the proceedings on radio for several years.
Additionally, former NBA All-Star and head coach Doc Rivers is being hired as the second analyst on the crew. Mike Breen will retain his role as play-by-play announcer. Mark Jackson, has left the company.
Burke was the lead sideline reporter for The Walt Disney Company’s presentation of the NBA Finals for 11 years before being moved to the national ESPN Radio presentation with Marc Kestecher and P.J. Carlesimo. Throughout the last several years, she has been featured in the No. 2 broadcast booth, often broadcasting games alongside play-by-play announcers Dave Pasch and Ryan Ruocco. She has been honored with numerous awards in broadcasting and is seen as a trailblazer in the industry, working with ESPN in various different roles since 1991.
Rivers had been contemplating a return to broadcasting after being relieved of his duties as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers, and he seems to be making a return to sports media. He previously served as an analyst on TNT’s coverage of the NBA, and will now be bringing his candor and comprehensive basketball knowledge to The Walt Disney Company (ESPN/ABC) airwaves.
Jackson has had two separate stints with ESPN on its lead commentary team, separated by his stint coaching the Golden State Warriors. Now being demoted by the network, his future is somewhat in flux amid interviewing for various NBA coaching jobs over the last few offseasons. Jackson has called 15 NBA Finals during his time with the network, all which have been with Mike Breen, and is a fixture of NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC.
As for Van Gundy, the network purportedly recognized Van Gundy’s palpable interest to return to coaching, and the National Basketball Association reportedly expressed dismay towards him repeatedly criticizing its rules and officiating. While the Association does not seem to have mandated a change, the “Worldwide Leader” made the decision to move on from Van Gundy after calling 17 NBA Finals throughout his time with the entity.
