Richard Jefferson has reached an agreement to return to ESPN (and ABC) for next season and is expected to remain on the network’s top broadcast team with Mike Breen, reports Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. However, Doris Burke‘s spot alongside Jefferson and Breen on that team remains up in the air, Marchand adds.
Jefferson reportedly drew interest from Amazon Prime Video before agreeing to remain with ESPN.
If ESPN does decide to replace Burke, Tim Legler is the leading candidate to replace her on the network’s top broadcasting team, according to Marchand, though he says that a two-person booth is also a possibility.
Here are more odds and ends from around the basketball world:
- The Raptors and Nuggets will play a preseason game in Vancouver, B.C. on October 6 as part of the league’s Canada Series, the NBA announced today in a press release. It will be a busy week or two for Vancouver in terms of NBA activity, with the Mavericks also said to be holding their training camp in the city. The Raptors announced today that their training camp will take place in Calgary, Alberta, so it won’t be a long flight to Vancouver for them.
- While NBA owners may not be eager to expand the league beyond its current 30 teams immediately, there’s still a sense that it will happen sooner or later, according to John Hollinger of The Athletic. As Hollinger explains, the NBA’s European league project is a bigger priority at the moment and the league likely also wants to get its local TV situation worked out before expanding.
- Kevin Pelton of ESPN revisits the biggest offseason moves from 2024 in order to reevaluate the grades he gave them a year ago. In some cases, that meant a major readjustment downward — the Pelicans originally got a B-plus grade for their Dejounte Murray trade, for example, and now get an F. However, other moves look much better than did a year ago, including the Trail Blazers‘ acquisition of Deni Avdija, which Pelton bumped from a C-plus to an A-minus.
I can’t stand listening to Richard Jefferson. Another season of music in the background while I watch that broadcast
As an Arizona fan I am good with it. Hopefully we can get some of that contract of his flowing to the Arizona NIL collective.
Are NIL contributions tax deductible?
Yep, him and Doris are almost on par with fingernails on a chalkboard.
If Mike Breen were to disappear from any nationally-televised NBA game, it would be no big loss. He adds little to the broadcast, aside from his New York bias and gushing over the biggest stars.
Doris Burke is in, in my view, an acquired taste. Her on-screen persona is dull, but she has demonstrated a decent understanding of the pro game and its players that far surpasses Breen’s. If she doesn’t return, it’s likely because ESPN decision makers don’t want anyone overshadowing Breen.
I
I may be in the minority, but I detest broadcast teams of more than two individuals. When three or more are involved, there is too much banter and not enough attention being given the action on the court.
Put a team in Vancouver
The networks have made it clear that they only want ex-players in the future, and not journalists, etc working on sports. They want big names to draw to the games, and they don’t always have to pay them as much. How good they are at their jobs doesn’t matter, case in point, Jason Witten. All the big NBA ESPN journalists are already out the door – Rachel Nichols, Zach Lower, and Windhorst is not having his contract renewed. In the NFL, McShay and Sam Ponder are out the door, etc.. Unless you are an iconic brand already like a Michael Wilbon or a Mel Kiper, the networks don’t want to have to work into making you a well known commodity. And since half the ex-players are not great at their broadcasting job, if they want too much money they can just lay them off and bring in the next ex-player.
Except the part where Steven A signed over 100 million dollar contract. That guys a clickbaiting clown.
fire doris
no more mom goose
You know it’s a big game when Doris “Big Game” Burkes is on the call
Did ESPN get sued for racism and sexism? Over the recent years they have made a noticeable shift towards hiring only minorities and women. It’s very very noticeable.
Please stop. Pat McAfee just got a huge deal from them. Your true sentiments might be what’s very noticeable right now
Burke lost me when she decided during a Bucks / Sixers game that fawning over Jason Tatum for 5 minutes straight was appropriate. Again, during a Bucks / Sixers game.
Put her back in the sideline role.