ESPN NBA analyst Tim Legler is stepping into the network’s top NBA broadcast team, joining Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson for the 2025-26 season. The veteran analyst, who has spent more than two decades with ESPN, described the promotion as both unexpected and deeply gratifying. In an interview with The Athletic, Legler recalled how he learned the news — a moment that began as a normal day and turned into a career milestone.
“I got the call from Tim Corrigan, where I got the information from,” Legler said. “I was going about my normal business like I was every year, just paying attention to the league and keeping up with who went where, coaching changes, player changes, rookies, injuries — my daily stuff, just preparing for the season, not knowing how any of it was going to ultimately play out.”
Legler said he was aware of discussions at ESPN regarding the future of the network’s top broadcast crew, which saw Doris Burke replaced earlier this year. But the longtime analyst had learned not to assume anything.
“You’re hoping your name is in the mix,” he continued. “But I’d come to the point, after all these years of being there, that you’re preparing yourself for if you don’t get that call, or if you don’t get that news, how your season is going to go. So I was just ready to go either way.”
That readiness turned to elation when the phone rang.
“When that phone call came in and I looked down, I saw Tim was calling me, and you’re kind of like wondering, okay, what’s this going to be?” Legler said. “It ended up being, obviously, very good news for me and my family. We were very happy.”
For Legler, the timing and setting of the call made the moment even more special.
“We were just by ourselves with our son on the beach, actually, in New Jersey, and the call came in,” he said. “What went through me was just the reward of the work I’ve put in. To feel so grateful, first of all, that I’m going to get the opportunity, but also validated for the amount of work that I put into this.”
Legler emphasized that his approach to preparation and professionalism never wavered, even during the years when he remained outside ESPN’s top team.
“I never lowered my standard over the years, even if I got frustrated at times,” he said. “Everything stayed the same because I had a lot of pride in what I was doing. Getting that call was the culmination of all that — the ups and downs over the course of all these years at ESPN.”
As the upcoming season approaches, Legler said his focus now turns to what comes next.
“It’s incredibly gratifying, rewarding, and exciting,” he said. “More than anything else, I’m just excited about the opportunity to work with Mike and Richard, and I can’t wait to get going.”
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