• Loading stock data...
Friday, July 11, 2025

Doris Burke Poised To Be First Woman To Call Men’s Championship

  • Burke would join Mike Breen and Doc Rivers on ESPN’s No. 1 broadcast team.
  • Mark Jackson could accept demotion to second team or leave the network.
Doris Burke of ESPN
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Doris Burke is poised to make history as the first woman to call a major U.S. men’s championship on TV.

Burke is expected to join ESPN/ABC’s No. 1 NBA broadcast team, along with play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and ex-Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers, sources told Front Office Sports.

The deal is not finalized, said sources. But the formation of ESPN/ABC’s revamped No. 1 team is about 80% done, they added.

Back in 2020, Burke made history by becoming the first female analyst to call the NBA Finals on ESPN Radio. 

As the new No. 1 analysts for the 2023-2024 season, she and Rivers would succeed Jeff Van Gundy, who was laid off last month, and Mark Jackson, who could drop down to a No. 2 announce team or leave ESPN. Other ESPN talents such as Mark Jones, J.J. Redick, and Richard Jefferson will call games next season.

The historic move will surely set off howls among ESPN critics who consider the network too “woke” and progressive regarding women and social justice causes.

ESPN also plans to test an all-women “SportsCenter,” created entirely by female anchors and producers.

Doris Burke, Mina Kimes and Shannon Sharpe

With ESPN At Crossroads, Here Are Three Predictions

In wake of stunning ESPN talent layoffs, here’s three key sports media…
June 30, 2023

The New York Post first reported ESPN was closing in on promoting Burke to the NBA Finals, hiring Rivers to join her and Breen and jettisoning Jackson to the B team or off the network. 

Several weeks ago, Boston Globe columnist Chad Finn tweeted “there’s a good chance” the No. 1 team would be Burke-Rivers-Breen. Front Office Sports also predicted Burke would be promoted to the A team last month.

Walt Disney Co.’s ESPN and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports’ TNT are poised to begin billion-dollar negotiations to retain their NBA broadcast rights. Burke told FOS she was “pulling like hell” for ESPN to retain its NBA deal.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.

Jalen Williams Signs Max Deal As Thunder Commit $822M to 3 Stars

Oklahoma City also extended Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren.

Suns All In on Booker, Who Signs Record Extension Amidst Chaos

The Suns changed their head coach for the fourth time in four years.

Featured Today

Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
July 6, 2025

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
Paige Bueckers
exclusive

Women’s March Madness Expansion Wouldn’t Yield More ESPN Money

ESPN is not required to pay extra if women’s March Madness expands.
Jul 6, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Mexico forward Marcel Ruiz (14) heads the ball in front of United States midfielder Brenden Aaronson (11) in the second half during the 2025 Gold Cup Final at NRG Stadium.
July 7, 2025

USMNT Struggles Still Produce Big Gold Cup Ratings for Fox

The U.S. team’s recent issues culminated in a loss to Mexico.
Feb 7, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies center Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts after his basket against the St. John's Red Storm in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion.
July 8, 2025

After Decade Apart, ESPN and Big East Rekindle Media Rights Relationship

After a decade-plus apart, the network will stream hundreds of conference events.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 2, 2025

Paramount Settles Trump Suit Ahead of NFL Season, Skydance Merger

The deal likely allows the much larger Skydance merger deal to proceed.
Leo Messi
June 27, 2025

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.