Cavaliers broadcasts on FanDuel Sports Network are getting a few changes this season — nothing drastic, just a few tweaks fans may notice before tipoff.
The biggest change involves the studio show. Cayleigh Griffin, who previously hosted studio coverage for both home and road games, will now handle only home broadcasts while also joining the Minnesota Timberwolves’ broadcast team for select road games.
Sideline reporter Serena Winters will take on pregame, halftime and postgame hosting duties for Cavaliers road broadcasts while continuing her in-game reporting role for all games.
Also, former Cavalier Iman Shumpert (2015-18) will appear on select studio shows, adding to a rotation that already includes Austin Carr and Daniel “Boobie” Gibson.
The changes come after the Cavaliers signed a two-year contract extension in May with FanDuel Sports Network, whose parent company, Diamond Sports Group, emerged from bankruptcy last November and rebranded as Main Street Sports Group in January.
Since then, the company has been rethinking how it structures and staffs its broadcasts to keep pace with a media landscape that looks very different than it did a decade ago, said Mike Conley, the Cavaliers’ chief information officer.
“We're not in the same era we were a decade ago when it comes to the regional sports network (RSN) business,” Conley told Crain’s, noting how cord-cutting has reshaped the model. “Some restructuring is necessary for them to evolve with the times.”
The Timberwolves announced Griffin’s addition to their broadcast team on Sept. 25, noting that she will split hosting and sideline duties with reporter Ashley Stroehlein for select road games.
Griffin shared the news on social media the same day, saying she was “thrilled” to join the Timberwolves’ crew while continuing her work with the Cavaliers for home broadcasts.
FanDuel owns broadcasting rights for 13 NBA teams, including the Cavs and Timberwolves. Griffin also does studio work for Cleveland Guardians broadcasts on MLB.tv.
“The change in format is also an opportunity for the talent,” Conley said. “For Cayleigh, with her having the home game responsibilities here for the Cavs, it opens her up to be able to contribute in other markets like the Timberwolves market. That was a decision and a direction between both Cayleigh and FanDuel. I think that was necessary for her to continue to get the volume of the work that she deserves given her experience and expertise.”
The rest of the Cavaliers’ broadcast team remains largely unchanged. John Michael returns as play-by-play announcer, with Brad Daugherty back as lead analyst and Austin Carr handling color commentary for select games.
“Austin’s primary role and responsibility will be on the pregame, halftime and postgame show,” Conley said. “But Austin is Mr. Cavalier. He’s a Cavs legend here. We value the consistency and the years of knowledge that he brings to the table. This is a chance for us to continue to keep AC involved and driving relevant commentary around the team he’s grown up with as well.”
Viewers can expect other changes, too. FanDuel is rolling out upgraded production elements, including enhanced graphics, real-time data integration and new 3D visuals designed to give regional broadcasts the polish of national telecasts, Conley said.
The effort is being led by longtime ESPN executive Norby Williamson, who now oversees production for FanDuel Sports Network and brings decades of experience from the national side of sports television.
“It’s a renewed commitment to focus on what matters most — the content and the viewership experience,” Conley said. “You’re going to see a lot of unique graphic packages, new data templates and real-time insights that fans haven’t seen before.”
The tweaks come as the Cavaliers continue to rank among the NBA’s top local draws. Within the FanDuel footprint last season, the Cavs led all teams in local ratings — a trend that’s carried into the preseason, with one game drawing a 2.1 rating. The 2.1 rating represents a little under half the viewership of a typical regular-season broadcast from last season.
“That tells you how invested Cleveland fans are in this team,” Conley said.
Cavaliers games will again be available on FanDuel through traditional cable and satellite providers as well as streaming platforms, including the network’s own app and Prime Video. Fans can subscribe monthly or annually, or purchase individual games to watch on a variety of connected devices.
The Cavaliers’ media reach is expanding off the court, too. The franchise recently renewed its partnership with iHeartMedia through 2027, an agreement that includes both WTAM 1100 AM and 100.7 WMMS, along with a new 24/7 FM channel: SportsRadio 99.1.
“We have to be where our fans are,” Conley said. “They’re not just on linear TV or radio anymore — they’re on streaming platforms, podcasts and mobile apps, and we’re evolving to meet them there.
“Anything change-related always goes top of mind to people. The only thing constant about change is change itself. We’re always kind of dealing with that — but change is good. Change is growth.”