Aug 28, 03:59 PM

ESPN Promotes Tim Legler, Demotes Doris Burke From NBA Finals Booth

ESPN is reshuffling its top NBA broadcast crew, replacing Hall of Fame analyst Doris Burke with longtime commentator Tim Legler for NBA Finals coverage on ABC, according to multiple reports first published by The Athletic. Legler will join lead play-by-play voice Mike Breen and analyst Richard Jefferson, giving the network its fourth different Finals booth in as many years. Burke, who became the first woman to serve as an analyst on a major U.S. championship broadcast when she ascended to the Finals team in 2023, is in discussions on a contract extension and is expected to move to ESPN’s No. 2 NBA crew. Legler, a 25-year network veteran favored by event-production chief Mike McQuade, has risen in profile through regular appearances on Scott Van Pelt’s late-night SportsCenter and began calling games full-time two seasons ago. The change continues a period of instability in ESPN’s marquee NBA booth that began with the 2023 dismissals of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson and was followed by Doc Rivers’ mid-season departure to coach Milwaukee and JJ Redick’s exit to lead the Los Angeles Lakers. With a new media-rights cycle starting in 2025-26, ESPN is aiming for long-term continuity with the trio of Breen, Jefferson and Legler.

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ESPN Promotes Tim Legler, Demotes Doris Burke From NBA Finals Booth

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