When ESPN airs the NBA Finals next season, Doris Burke won’t be a part of the broadcast. The network is reportedly demoting Burke from its NBA Finals broadcast team in favor of Tim Legler, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.
Burke, 60, provided NBA Finals coverage at the network the past two seasons. When she was first elevated into the role in 2023, Burke became the first woman to serve as a game analyst during a championship series in one of the four major sports in North America.
Burke provided coverage of the finals last season alongside long-time play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and former NBA star Richard Jefferson. Both men are expected to remain on ESPN’s No. 1 broadcast team next season. They’ll be joined by Legler.
In June, The Athletic reported Burke’s spot on ESPN’s top NBA team was in jeopardy. Following that report, Burke received praise from Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle — whose team was playing in the NBA Finals at the time — and Jefferson, who wore a shirt in support of Burke at the Women’s College World Series.
Despite those showings of support, ESPN reportedly still made the move. ESPN executive vice president Mike McQuade is the one who reportedly made the call, per The Athletic. Network chairman Jimmy Pitaro or president Burke Magnus could have vetoed the decision, but did not, per Marchand.
Legler, a former 10-year NBA veteran, is a long-time NBA analyst at ESPN. He joined the network in 2000 and has appeared on countless shows over the past 25 years. Legler started regularly calling games at ESPN in 2023.
Though Burke was reportedly moved off ESPN’s top NBA team, she’ll remain at the network during the upcoming NBA season. Burke’s contract reportedly runs through the 2025-26 NBA season. ESPN has discussed a contract extension with Burke, per Marchand.
Burke could still serve as a game analyst at ESPN during the upcoming NBA season, but would be re-assigned to a different broadcast team.
ESPN’s top NBA crew has gone through a number of changes in recent seasons. Following the firing of both Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson in 2023, ESPN has struggled to find consistent partners for Breen. Burke and Doc Rivers were promoted to the team in 2023, but Rivers left to return to coaching. JJ Redick was brought in the following season before leaving to take the Los Angeles Lakers’ coaching job.
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