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NBA on ESPN

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NBA on ESPN
The currentNBA on ESPNlogo, used since 2016.
GenreNBA game telecasts
StarringVarious personalities(seebelow)
Country of originUnited States
Production
Running time150 minutes or until game ends
Original release
Network
Release1982(1982)–
1984(1984)
ReleaseOctober 30, 2002(2002-10-30)–
present(present)

TheNBA on ESPNis the branding used for the presentation ofNational Basketball Association(NBA) games on theESPNfamily of networks. The ESPN cable network first televised NBA games from1982until1984,and has been airing games currently since the2002–03 NBA season.ESPN2began airing a limited schedule of NBA games in 2002.ABCbegan televising NBA games under full ESPN production in2006(ABC Sports aired NBA games under the title of theNBA on ABCfrom 2002 to 2006). On October 6, 2014, ESPN and the NBA renewed their agreement through 2025, and on July 24, 2024 it’s agreement was renewed through 2036.[1][2][3]

History

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1982–1984

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On January 30, 1982, the NBA reached a two-year agreement with ESPN to broadcast the league's 40 regular season and 10 playoff games from1982–83until1983–84.[4][5][6]

Initially from 1982-83 until 1983-84, ESPN aired the league's regular season games every Sunday.[4]

2002–present

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On January 22, 2002, the NBA signed an initial six-year agreement withThe Walt Disney Companythat allowed ABC and its sister networkESPN(of which Disney owned an 80% stake) to broadcast the league's 75 regular season and 24 playoff games.[7][8]Currently, ESPN airs games on Wednesdays and Fridays, with select games broadcast on ESPN or ABC on select Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays, as well as much of theChristmas Day games.ESPN/ABC also holds the exclusive rights to air the Eastern Conference Finals on even-numbered years (oppositeTNT's Western Conference Finals telecast), the Western Conference Finals on odd-numbered years (opposite TNT's Eastern Conference Finals telecast). In contrast, ABC holds the exclusive broadcast rights to the NBA Finals. ESPN/ABC also has the rights to air theNBA draft.

In June 2007, the NBA renewed its television agreement with ESPN and ABC through 2016, which included expanded digital rights and an increased number of playoff games on ABC and ESPN.[9]This agreement was renewed again through 2025 in 2014.[1][2]Most recently, the NBA renewed its agreement again in 2024 to take its coverage through to 2036.[10]

Commentators

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Main article:List of NBA on ESPN commentators

ESPN's best-known NBA broadcast team consists ofMike Breenon play-by-play, withJeff Van GundyandMark Jacksonas analysts. The trio called 15NBA Finalstogether from 2007 to 2011, and again from 2014 to 2023. Other notable commentators throughout the years includeAl Michaels,Mark Jones,Dave Pasch,Mike Tirico,Adam Amin,Ryan Ruocco,Hubie Brown,Richard Jefferson,JJ Redick,among others. Notable sideline reporters includeMichele Tafoya,Doris Burke(later a game analyst),Israel Gutierrez,Rachel Nichols,Lisa Salters,Malika Andrews,Cassidy Hubbarth,Ros Gold-Onwude,Jorge Sedano,among others.

Since the2017–18 season,Doris Burkebecame a regular analyst for the NBA on ESPN, replacingDoug Collins.[11]

The2021–22 seasonmarked the addition ofBeth Mowinsto the roster of play-by-play commentators. She is the first woman to call an NBA regular season (and playoff) game.[12]In the same season,JJ Redickjoined the crew as analyst following his retirement from playing basketball.[13]Since 2022, all-women-led broadcasts have occurred once every season, with Beth Mowins and Doris Burke as commentators in these cases.[14][15]

In August 2023, as part of a shakeup following the company's layoffs of many of its employees and personalities,[16]ESPN announced major changes in its commentator lineup for the2023–24 season.The new lead broadcast team consists of Mike Breen, Doris Burke, and former NBA coachDoc Rivers.Burke will become the first female TV analyst in a major men's championship round.[17]Burke and Rivers replace lead analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Jackson, who were laid off by the network after the2023 NBA Finals.[18][19][20]Additionally, a second core broadcast team consisting ofRyan Ruocco,JJ Redick, andRichard Jeffersonwas formed. The team calls theNBA Sunday Showcasegames and works together for other marquee events throughout the season and into the playoffs. The trio debuted during the opening week of the regular season rather than the preseason, due to Ruocco's assignment for the2023 WNBA Finals.The first game they called was the game between the visitingDallas Mavericksand theSan Antonio Spurs,notable for2023 first draft pickVictor Wembanyama's regular season debut. That same year,Bob Myersjoined the broadcast team as game analyst.[21]After Rivers was hired as head coach of theMilwaukee Bucksin January 2024, Redick joined Breen and Burke on the lead team.[22]

Pre Game Show

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Main article:NBA Countdown

NBA Countdown,previouslyNBA Shootaround,is ESPN's main studio program, airing before each game telecast. ESPN's in-game studio programs originally consisted ofKevin FrazierandTim Hardawayon Fridays withStuart Scottreplacing Frazier on Wednesdays. After horrible reviews for Hardaway, ESPN brought inGreg Anthonyto replace him on Friday nights. Frazier and Anthony became ESPN's main studio team and worked most of the playoffs. For the 2003 Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN used ABC's halftime team ofMike TiricoandSean Elliottfor all the games.

2003–04was the first year of the longest-tenured ESPN studio team. Frazier and Anthony were joined by controversial writerStephen A. Smithand NBA legendBill Laimbeer.Laimbeer, departing to continue coaching in theWNBA,was replaced byTim Leglerduring the2004 NBA Playoffs.Smith, Legler and Anthony were joined byJohn Saunders(replacing Frazier, who left to hostEntertainment Tonight) fromlate 2004to the end of the2005–2006 season.

ESPN's studio team was generally more criticized[23]than praised. After the Pacers–Pistons brawl, ESPN's studio team came under severe criticism, both by the media[24]and by ESPN itself[25]for their stance regarding the actions ofIndiana PacerRon Artest(who entered the stands to confront a fan, sparking the melee). Saunders came down hard on Detroit fans, referring to them as "punks," while Anthony and Legler defended Artest.

For the2006-07 NBA season,Saunders was replaced byFred Hickman,with the remaining team left intact.[26]Previous reports by The Big Lead.com andThe New York Postindicated that Anthony, Legler and Smith along with Saunders would be replaced byDan Patrick,Michael WilbonandMark Jackson.[27]Smith's role was significantly reduced, as he would no longer appear in studio with Hickman, Legler and Anthony, instead appearing during "The A List", a segment during the pregame show.

The program was hosted by eitherHannah Storm,Stuart ScottorMark Jones,alongside analystsChris Mullin,Jalen Rose,Jamal Mashburn,Jon BarryandMichael Wilbon.

The program was also moved from ABC-owned studios atTimes Squarein New York City to ESPN's headquarters inBristol, Connecticut.

The format changed for the 2011–2012 season. The show moved from Bristol to ESPN's West Coast headquarters in Los Angeles. Storm, Scott and Jones were dropped from the program and the host role abandoned. Instead, four analysts (Wilbon, Barry,Magic Johnson,andChris Broussard) discuss scores, games, and other topics in more of a free form style than previously used.

In 2023, as part of major changes to its commentary team,Malika Andrewsbecame the new lead host ofNBA Countdown.[21]

Ratings

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Main article:National Basketball Association on television

ESPN's highestratedNBA game was Game 5 of the2006 Eastern Conference Finalsbetween theMiami HeatandDetroit Pistons.The game scored a 5.5 cable Nielsen rating, with nearly five million viewers. To put that in context,Monday Night Footballon ESPN posted ratings of 9+ in two of its first three telecasts. ESPN's highest rated regular season contest was the first matchup betweenShaquille O'NealandYao Ming.The game between theLos Angeles LakersandHouston Rocketsscored a 3.82 cable Nielsen rating.

Generally, ESPN's regular season ratings are the same as competitor TNT's. During the playoffs, TNT has higher ratings, especially during the Conference Finals (from 2003 to 2005, TNT's Conference Final ratings were at least a full ratings point higher than ESPN's: 4.6 to 2.8 in 2003, 6.3 to 3.8 in 2004 and 5.0 to 4.0 in 2005). In 2006, for the first time ever, ESPN's Conference Final coverage averaged higher ratings than TNT's, averaging a 4.8 to TNT's 4.6.

ESPN2

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ESPN2 aired a handful of NBA regular season games from2002to2006,typically in January, when prime timegolf tournamentspreempted coverage on ESPN. On several occasions, ESPN2 would air the first game of a doubleheader, while ESPN air the second game. Starting with the2006–2007 season,regular season games on ESPN2 were discontinued. During the playoffs, ESPN2 airs games that otherwise would not have appeared on any outlet other thanNBA TV,mostly on Friday nights and only during the first round.

ESPN2 NBA coverage is mostly made up of studio shows, notablyNBA Coast to Coast.NBA Coast to Coast,formerly known asNBA Fastbreak TuesdayandNBA Nation,is a two-hour long Tuesday night studio show that features live cut-ins to games throughout the league. In addition toCoast to Coast,ESPN2 airs several editions ofNBA Fastbreak,ESPN's NBA oriented highlight show.

Despite airing fewer than forty NBA games in its eleven years of existence, ESPN2 did televise NBA legendMichael Jordan's final game inChicagoin January 2003.

ESPN2 also airedKobe Bryant's final game against theUtah Jazzon April 13, 2016.

ESPN2 also aired aLeBron Jamespotential record breaking game on February 3, 2023[28]

ESPN2 is the primary outlet for ESPNWNBA coverage,televising regular season games, theWNBA Finalsand theWNBA draft.WNBA Shootaround,the WNBA equivalent of ESPN's NBA pregame show, airs sporadically on the network, typically before presentations ofWNBA Tuesday.

Beginning with the2022–23 season,ESPN2 began airingalternate presentationsof select NBA games in a similar vein toManningcastandKayRod CastduringMonday Night FootballandSunday Night Baseballrespectively, withStephen A. Smithas host. The series was titledNBA in Stephen A.'s World.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ab"NBA extends partnership with Turner Broadcasting, Disney"(Press release). National Basketball Association. October 6, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 24,2022.
  2. ^ab"NBA extends television deals".ESPN.com.October 7, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 24,2022.
  3. ^"NBA announces new 11-year media agreements".NBA.com.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
  4. ^ab"ESPN Acquires Rights to NBA Games"(Press release). ESPN. January 30, 1982.RetrievedAugust 9,2021.
  5. ^"ESPN, Inc.: 1982 in Review".ESPN Pressroom.January 2, 1983.RetrievedAugust 9,2021.
  6. ^"Cable sports news"(PDF).Broadcasting.February 8, 1982.RetrievedAugust 14,2021– via World Radio History.
  7. ^"ESPN, ABC And NBA Reach Six-Year Agreement 100-Plus Games Annually On ABC Sports, ESPN, ESPN2 NBA Finals On ABC"(Press release). The Walt Disney Company. January 22, 2002.RetrievedAugust 9,2021.
  8. ^"NBA TV deal moves to ABC, ESPN".ESPN.January 22, 2002.RetrievedAugust 9,2021.
  9. ^"NBA's TV extensions include rights for ESPN digital media content".espn.com.ESPN. June 27, 2007.
  10. ^"NBA announces new 11-year media agreements".NBA.com.RetrievedJuly 24,2024.
  11. ^"ESPN's Doris Burke Will Be the First Woman in National Role As a Regular NBA Game Analyst".Sports Illustrated. September 25, 2017.
  12. ^"ESPN Play-by-Play Commentator Beth Mowins to Become the First Woman to Call an NBA Regular-Season Game on ESPN This Friday"(Press release).Bristol:ESPN.December 2, 2021.RetrievedMay 30,2023.
  13. ^"JJ Redick joining ESPN as NBA analyst following 15-year career".ESPN.Associated Press. October 27, 2021.RetrievedOctober 27,2021.
  14. ^Hughes Martin, Katie (February 3, 2022)."ESPN to Produce First NBA Game Broadcast on National Scale Led By All Women on Camera and in Pivotal Behind the Scenes Roles".ESPN Press Room U.S.RetrievedOctober 10,2023.
  15. ^"ESPN Continues All-Women Led NBA Game & Studio Broadcasts in Celebration of International Women's Day on March 8"(Press release).Bristol:ESPN.March 3, 2023.RetrievedMay 25,2023.
  16. ^"ESPN Layoffs: Here's Updated The List Of On-Air Talent Who Were Let Go".Deadline Hollywood.July 31, 2023.RetrievedAugust 16,2023.
  17. ^Tapp, Tom (August 14, 2023)."ESPN Revamps No. 1 On-Air NBA Announcing Team & Sets Up History-Making Finals Run For Doris Burke".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedAugust 15,2023.
  18. ^Reedy, Joe (August 14, 2023)."Doris Burke and Doc Rivers named to ESPN and ABC's top NBA crew".Associated Press.RetrievedOctober 14,2023.
  19. ^Chavkin, Daniel (June 30, 2023)."ESPN Lets Go of NBA Analyst Jeff Van Gundy, per Report".SI.com.Sports Illustrated.RetrievedJune 30,2023.
  20. ^Marchand, Andrew (July 31, 2023)."ESPN's NBA succession plan: Hiring Doc Rivers, laying off Mark Jackson and promoting Doris Burke".NYPost.com.New York Post.RetrievedJuly 31,2023.
  21. ^abRajan, Ronce (August 14, 2023)."ESPN's Reimagined NBA Game and Studio Coverage Plans for 2023-24 Season".ESPN Press Room U.S.RetrievedSeptember 20,2023.
  22. ^Rajan, Ronce (February 15, 2024)."JJ Redick Joins Mike Breen, Doris Burke and Lisa Salters on ESPN's Lead NBA Broadcast Team".ESPN Press Room U.S.RetrievedFebruary 21,2024.
  23. ^TNT's fun NBA coverage a respite from ESPN's anger
  24. ^NBA: David DuPree
  25. ^ESPN boss makes right call after announcers blame fans
  26. ^2006–07 NBA SEASON ON ESPN BEGINS NOV. 1
  27. ^ESPN GETS A RE-PHIL
  28. ^Gostomelsky, Adam (February 2, 2023)."News: Brady, YouTube TV, LeBron, and more".Sports Media Watch.RetrievedFebruary 5,2023.
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Preceded by
None
 NBA pay television carrier (withCBS) in the United States
1982–1984 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
TBS
 NBA pay television carrier (withTNT) in the United States
2002–present 		Succeeded by
–
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