ESPN Shifts Doris Burke Out of NBA Finals Booth After New Deal
espn-shifts-doris-burke-out-of-nba-finals-booth
ESPN has reassigned longtime analyst Doris Burke, removing her from the network’s top NBA broadcast team only weeks after she agreed to a new multi-year contract.
The change means Tim Legler will join play-by-play voice Mike Breen and analyst Richard Jefferson for this year’s NBA Finals, creating the fourth different broadcast trio in as many seasons for ESPN’s marquee event.
Burke will continue to work a full regular-season schedule, remain part of the NBA Sunday Showcase, and call playoff games on both ESPN and ABC. The Finals assignment, however, now belongs to Legler, who has spent more than 25 years with the company.
ESPN president of content Burke Magnus discussed the decision on the “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch” podcast, saying the network was “still searching for the perfect combination.” Magnus added that Burke might be best utilized in a two-person booth rather than a three-person crew and described Legler as “a respected voice” who has earned the opportunity.
The adjustment underscores ESPN’s ongoing effort to solidify its lead NBA broadcast team as the network enters another postseason.
Source: Hoops Wire
