• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 17, 2025

Doris Burke Set to Make TV History With NBA Finals Call

  • The Hall of Famer is the first woman to call a major U.S. men’s championship on TV.
  • She has called the Finals on ESPN Radio for the last four years.
Oct 22, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; ESPN broadcasters Doris Burke (left) and Ryan Ruocco during the NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN analyst Doris Burke will make history Thursday night when she becomes the first woman to call any major U.S. men’s championship on television.

The Hall of Famer will call Game 1 of the Mavericks-Celtics Finals on ABC from Boston, working alongside Mike Breen and fellow first-time Finals broadcaster JJ Redick, who earlier this season replaced Doc Rivers on ESPN’s top team.

“Nervous as hell,” Burke said earlier this year when asked how she feels about calling the Finals. “If you happen to watch Game 1, I’m going to try and not have my voice quiver.” Burke then credited her many years as a sideline reporter for the Finals, as well as the mastery of Breen, Redick, and the entire production crew, as reasons why she feels more prepared and knows it will go well.

This isn’t Burke’s first time calling the NBA Finals. She was the series’ first female game analyst back in 2020 when she covered it on ESPN Radio, which she has done for every series since. She also spent nine years as the Finals’ lead sideline reporter. The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame awarded Burke its Curt Gowdy Media Award in ’18.

Rivers and Burke, who has covered hoops at ESPN since 1991, earned their spots on the top team after the network let go of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. Van Gundy was one of 20 on-air talents laid off last summer, while Jackson reportedly parted ways with ESPN with two years left on his contract after being offered a demotion to the No. 2 broadcast crew.

Her teammate Redick is linked to the Lakers’ head coaching vacancy, which would mean his departing the network after the Finals, though he is not the only option on the table. Burke, on the other hand, should be calling Finals for years to come, as ESPN is reported to once again receive the NBA’s best media-rights package and keep the championship series on ABC.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 17, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; NBA Commissioner Adam Silver talks to media during a press conference before NBA All Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Adam Silver Doesn’t Want NBA Europe to Be a ‘Top-Heavy League’ 

Silver said he doesn’t want the prospective league to be like European soccer.

Adam Silver Walks Back Claim He’d Never Heard of Aspiration

Adam Silver spoke at the Front Office Sports Tuned In summit.

Amazon Sports Chief Says NBA, WNBA Coverage Should Be Celebratory

“There’s too much weird negativity out there,” Jay Marine told FOS.

Featured Today

Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
September 13, 2025

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.
September 11, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.
Greg Olsen
September 16, 2025

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.
exclusive
September 16, 2025

ESPN, Fox One Added 1M Sign-Ups in First 10 Days After Launch

The two high-profile streaming services have strong starts with consumers.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.
September 15, 2025

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.
September 15, 2025

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
Las Vegas Aces
September 15, 2025

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.
September 15, 2025

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.