The Charlotte Hornets are keeping their television booth intact for 2026-27. Eric Collins, Dell Curry and Shannon Spake on sidelines will all be back on the call.
What We Know: Collins returns for his 12th season on play-by-play, while Curry begins his 18th as analyst. Notably, it will be the pair’s 12th season working side by side. Meanwhile, Spake enters her third year as host and reporter after joining in 2024. Additionally, games move to WSOC Channel 9 and TV64 locally, with Gray Media and Sinclair stations joining across the Carolinas. DAZN will serve as the exclusive direct-to-consumer streaming partner of the Hornets across the Carolinas.
What They Said: Shelly Cayette-Weston, Charlotte Hornets Sports & Entertainment President: “Eric, Dell and Shannon each bring a distinct voice, perspective and connection to our fans, and together they create one of the most entertaining and informative broadcast teams in the NBA. Their chemistry, authenticity and genuine passion for the Hornets are an important part of the fan experience. As we expand access to our games and reach more communities across the Carolinas, we are thrilled to have this trusted and talented team sharing the excitement of Hornets basketball.”
Eric Collins (via Barrett Media): “We are absolutely thrilled to be back courtside for another incredible season of Hornets basketball! The love and passion for the game across the Carolinas is unlike anywhere else in the country. Dell, Shannon, and I consider it a privilege to bring that electric energy into fans’ homes every single night. Between this young and exciting roster, the incredible momentum building across the entire franchise, and more ways for fans across the Carolinas to tune in than ever before—it is going to be an unbelievable ride. Hum Diddly Dee, let’s go!”
What Remains Unclear: With the return, there wasn’t any statement on whether or not each talent has signed new agreements with the team. Likewise, it offered no word on how many games Gray Media and Sinclair stations will carry. Finally, pricing for DAZN’s Hornets streaming package is still unknown.
What It Means: Ultimately, the Hornets are pairing continuity in the booth with a big shift in distribution. Moving all non-national regular-season games to over-the-air television should widen the team’s local reach. As a result, more fans across the Carolinas will hear familiar voices during that transition. That includes Curry, whose jersey the Hornets retired in March of this year.
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