• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Michelle Beadle Criticizes ESPN’s NBA Countdown Maneuvers

  • ESPN has not let NBA Countdown “marinate” as talent changes too frequently, ex-host Michelle Beadle tells FOS.
  • Inside the NBA’s continuous team is “why TNT dominates” as the most-popular NBA pregame destination.
ESPN has not let NBA Countdown “marinate” as talent changes too frequently, ex-host Michelle Beadle tells FOS.
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

As on-air layoffs and departures reshape ESPN’s basketball coverage, ex-”NBA Countdown” host Michelle Beadle says the network’s pregame show will never be as good as rival TNT.

Beadle, who hosted “NBA Countdown” on ESPN and ABC from 2016-2019, lamented Disney’s quick trigger to change hosts as a reason why the studio show lags behind TNT’s “Inside the NBA” pregame show and its decades-long continuity of Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal.

“That position and that show has never been allowed to marinate and it’s sort of why you continue to see change,” Beadle says. “It’s unfortunate and it’s why TNT dominates because they’re allowed to marinate for decades and the product gets better with year after year. So that’s my simple take on what I observed while I was there [at ESPN].”

Beadle, who also co-hosted “Get Up” and “SportsNation” during her eight-year tenure at ESPN, spoke to Front Office Sports while announcing her new basketball podcast with Amazon’s Wondery network. NBA Countdown has to find a replacement this upcoming season for analyst Jalen Rose, who had been on the show since 2012 and was laid off in June alongside ESPN’s cuts to fellow top NBA broadcasters Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson

“It sucks when layoffs happen. It’s a tough conversation that people try to have. I know everyone thinks they understand why these things happen, but I don’t think anybody truly gets it,” Beadle told Front Office Sports. 

Since Shaq joined TNT in 2011 as the final mainstay on “Inside the NBA,” “NBA Countdown” has gone through five hosts who are no longer on the show (Maria Taylor, Sage Steele, Doris Burke, Beadle, and Hannah Storm). The longest-tenured current host is Mike Greenberg, who joined in 2021. Malika Andrews has hosted since 2022 alongside current analysts Richard Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins, Chiney Ogwumike, Stephen A. Smith, and Michael Wilbon. 

NBA analyst Vince Carter is expected to have his ESPN contract expire this summer, while Max Kellerman was another casualty of the network’s June layoffs. Beadle, who calls games on TV for the San Antonio Spurs in addition to her new Wondery podcast, is eager to see her former ESPN colleagues land new gigs elsewhere that could let talent “be themselves.”

“I love seeing people that I enjoy and respect and loved working with being released into the wild,” Beadle said. “And to be honest with you, most of the time in a more free platform and they get to be themselves, which is what I love.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and NBA app logo and basketballs in front of the base during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Will Take Over League Pass After WBD Divorce

The league now has full operational control of those media assets.

CBS Sports, TNT Sports Under One Roof? Paramount Eyes WBD

Discussions continue about a potential media mega-merger.
Aces

WNBA Finals Most Viewed In 25 Years Despite Possible Aces Sweep

Games 2 and 3 have averaged more than 1.2 million viewers.
Spectrum

ESPN Streaming Service at Core of New Spectrum Plan

The No. 1 U.S. distributor further blends linear and streaming TV.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Oregon Ducks inside linebacker Will Straton celebrates a stop as the Oregon Ducks host the Oregon State Beavers Sept. 20, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.
October 9, 2025

CBS Eyes Breakthrough As Big Ten Ratings Still Lag Behind SEC

The network will air No. 7 Indiana at No. 3 Oregon on Saturday.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Alyssa Lang Joins ESPN NBA Sideline Reporter Ranks

Lang has been a host and reporter for ESPN and SEC Network since 2018.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Netflix
October 9, 2025

Netflix Claims Bigger NFL Package ‘Doesn’t Really Fit’ Sports Strategy

Roger Goodell has signaled media-rights conversations could restart next year.
Dana Evans
October 8, 2025

WNBA Starts Finals With Best Viewership Since Inaugural Season

Game 1 averaged 1.9 million viewers on ESPN.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.
October 7, 2025

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez Charged With New Felony in Indianapolis Case

The broadcaster and ex-NFL quarterback faces up to six years in prison.