A few days after announcing his retirement, ESPN has announced that Andre Iguodala will be joining the network, officially launching his sports media career. The 2015 NBA Finals MVP and four-time NBA champion will appear on studio programming including NBA Today, First Take and SportsCenter. Iguodala will balance these media responsibilities with his work founding a $200 million venture capital fund with business partner Rudy Cline-Thomas.
“I got to know Andre over the past year, and I’m impressed with his willingness to be candid with his own podcast,” ESPN head of event and studio production Dave Roberts said. “This is something that is of mutual interest to both of us, and we’ll just see how it goes.”
The network has also added longtime NBA guard Austin Rivers to NBA coverage, and he will call an NBA game this season alongside his father, Doc Rivers. He has been hosting his podcast, Off Guard with Austin Rivers, where he has given his opinions and insights about the game.
Former New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry is also part of the lineup for studio coverage, contributing his expertise to programming including NBA Today and SportsCenter. Moreover, Las Vegas Aces head coach and two-time WNBA champion Becky Hammon has reached a contract extension with the network, along with former WNBA head coach Stephanie White.
“I think the currency factor is very relevant in the decision because I think that it serves the fan well when you have a coach just off the bench, or you have someone like a Bob Myers who is the architect of four World championships, who just spent recent years looking at the rosters and talking strategy about every one of his past competitors,” Roberts said. “They bring a sense of currency and makes it more relevant to the fan who are watching these games.”
The network will also highlight Hubie Brown’s 50th season in the Association throughout its coverage, a testament to his dedication to the craft and ability to enhance the broadcast utilizing his versatile experience. Brown coached 33 seasons in professional basketball, including 15 in the NBA, and joined ESPN in 2004 as an analyst for the NBA on ABC.
“When you watch a game Hubie’s on, you’re guaranteed to learn something about the game,” Roberts said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to be on the same team as Hubie, and we look forward to watching him in action.”
Following company-wide layoffs, ESPN announced a new lead NBA commentary booth of Mike Breen, Doris Burke and Doc Rivers that will make its regular-season debut Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden when the New York Knicks face the Boston Celtics. Previous analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson were included among the layoffs, breaking up the longtime lead booth that called 15 NBA Finals series together.
In addition to the new voices of the NBA Finals, the network named a primary secondary booth – Ryan Ruocco; JJ Redick and Richard Jefferson – that Roberts previously referred to as a “succession plan.” The trio will call the NBA Sunday Showcase series on ABC, along with other marquee events and games throughout the NBA Playoffs.
ESPN is in the penultimate season of its media rights deal with the NBA and is a property that the network is interested in renewing. Burke Magnus, the entity’s president of content, told Barrett Sports Media in a recent interview that the network considers the Association to be an important property to retain within its broadcast portfolio.
“I think the NBA league office is really forward-thinking and innovative, and it kind of fits perfectly with our worldview,” Magnus said. “I would say it’s really important for us – we’re very focused on it – but at the same time, we have to balance that excitement and enthusiasm with some financial discipline as well.”
The network also revamped its NBA Countdown cast, retaining Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon while adding two-time NBA Executive of the Year Bob Myers and host Malika Andrews to the regular lineup. This team will make its debut ahead of the Knicks-Celtics matchup on Wednesday night and present a doubleheader that concludes with the professional debut of No. 1 overall draft selection and young phenom Victor Wembanyama. He and the San Antonio Spurs will take on the Dallas Mavericks at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on the opening slate of games.
