ESPN Returns for WNBA’s Landmark 30th Season with expanded coverage. Hannah Storm, who called the league’s very first game in 1997, rejoins the broadcast team for the network.
What We Know: Hannah Storm makes a historic return to WNBA coverage on ESPN this season. Storm called the league’s inaugural game back in 1997 and will now host editions of WNBA Countdown. She’ll also contribute features to Countdown and SportsCenter alongside analysts Andraya Carter, Chiney Ogwumike, and Monica McNutt. Meanwhile, lead play-by-play voice Ryan Ruocco, Rebecca Lobo, and Holly Rowe are back together for their 14th season as ESPN’s top broadcast trio.
What They Said: Tim Corrigan, ESPN Senior Vice President, Sports Production “We are proud to continue raising the bar for WNBA coverage as the league enters its historic 30th season. With elite game commentators, dynamic studio talent from Los Angeles and Bristol, and unmatched coverage across our platforms, ESPN remains deeply committed to telling the stories of the WNBA’s athletes, teams and defining moments.”
What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not detailed how Storm’s specific game assignments will be distributed throughout the season. Additionally, which marquee regular-season matchups Ruocco’s lead team will call beyond All-Star and playoff coverage hasn’t been fully outlined yet.
What It Means: The return of Storm to the network’s coverage of the WNBA is in line with the nostalgia lean many networks have been making recently. For example, Storm was also part of NBC’s throwback edition of the NBA last month. ESPN has made no secret about it’s commitment to the WNBA and women’s sports. The network announced Women’s Sports Sundays as just the latest vertical towards that focus. Which will likely see some WNBA games showcased. Storm’s return is a nice nod to the past while looking towards the future.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.
