Doris Burke Demoted by ESPN, Tim Legler Takes Top Spot for NBA Finals

ESPN’s Major Shake-Up in NBA Finals Coverage

ESPN has made a significant change to its NBA Finals broadcasting team, demoting Hall of Fame broadcaster Doris Burke and promoting Tim Legler to the No. 1 position. This decision, confirmed by sources to The Athletic, marks a notable shift in the network’s approach to its finals coverage.

Tim Legler Joins Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson

Tim Legler will now join veteran play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and analyst Richard Jefferson for the NBA Finals broadcasts. Jefferson recently renewed his contract with ESPN after making his finals debut in June. Burke, who has been part of the finals team for the past two years, made history as the first woman to serve as an analyst for any of the major North American sports leagues’ championships, including the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL.

Future Prospects for Doris Burke

While ESPN has not publicly commented on the decision, discussions are ongoing regarding a contract extension for Burke, whose current agreement is set to expire after the upcoming season. There is speculation that she may transition to ESPN’s No. 2 broadcast team.

In June, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle publicly supported Burke during a press conference ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals, highlighting her contributions to the sport. Additionally, Richard Jefferson showed solidarity by wearing a T-shirt that read, “My Favorite Broadcaster is Doris Burke” during a day off from the finals.

Decision-Making Behind the Scenes

Despite the support from Carlisle and Jefferson, ESPN’s decision-makers remained firm. The final call was made by executive vice president Mike McQuade, who oversees all event production at ESPN. Notably, both ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro and president Burke Magnus had the power to veto the decision but chose not to intervene.

Legler, who has been with ESPN for 25 years, has seen a resurgence in his career over the last decade, particularly through his appearances on Scott Van Pelt’s late-night SportsCenter. He began regularly calling games only two seasons ago, following a decade-long NBA career where he played for six teams and averaged 7.0 points per game.

Ongoing Changes in ESPN’s Finals Crew

ESPN’s finals crew has experienced considerable changes in recent years, especially following the firing of longtime analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson in the summer of 2023. The network’s decision to let go of Van Gundy and Jackson was influenced by their perceived ongoing desire to coach and the NBA’s dissatisfaction with Van Gundy’s critical remarks about officials.

After these firings, Burke was elevated to the top analyst position, initially paired with Doc Rivers. However, Rivers returned to coaching with the Milwaukee Bucks shortly thereafter, leading to the promotion of JJ Redick to fill his role instead of Jefferson. Redick subsequently left after the 2024 NBA Finals to coach the Los Angeles Lakers.

Conclusion

The reshuffling of ESPN’s NBA Finals team underscores the network’s evolving strategy in sports broadcasting. While Doris Burke’s contributions to the sport are undeniable, the promotion of Tim Legler reflects a shift in focus that may resonate with audiences in a different way. As the NBA Finals approach, all eyes will be on how these changes impact the coverage and viewer experience.

In my view, this decision highlights the competitive nature of sports broadcasting and the challenges that come with it. While Burke’s demotion is disappointing, it opens the door for new voices and perspectives in the NBA Finals coverage.