Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle made headlines ahead of Game of the NBA Finals, shifting the spotlight from the court to the broadcast booth as he publicly defended ESPN analyst Doris Burke amid swirling rumors about her future with the network’s top NBA team.
Carlisle, speaking before the Pacers’ narrow win over the Thunder, called recent speculation about Burke’s role “sad” and praised her as a trailblazer for women in sports media. Burke, who made history in 2023 as the first woman to serve as a television analyst for a major men’s American sports championship, is currently calling her second NBA Finals alongside play-by-play veteran Mike Breen and color commentator Richard Jefferson, who is making his Finals debut.
Reports indicate that ESPN executives are considering changes to their lead NBA broadcast crew, with Burke’s participation in future Finals broadcasts now uncertain. The network is reportedly evaluating whether to continue with a three-person booth or scale back to a two-person format, a decision that could leave Burke on the outside. While Breen is signed to a long-term deal, both Burke and Jefferson are out of contract after this Finals. ESPN is said to be working to renew Jefferson’s contract, but Burke’s future remains unclear.
Carlisle, who also serves as president of the National Basketball Coaches Association, highlighted Burke’s impact on the industry, citing her as an inspiration for his own daughter and many other women in NBA media. He emphasized her basketball knowledge and legacy, stating, “Doris has changed the game for women in broadcasting. She’s a great example of courage and putting herself out there”.
As the Finals continue, all eyes are not just on the players, but on the broadcast team whose future may look very different next season.
