Hall of Fame broadcaster Doris Burke won’t be calling the NBA Finals in 2026.
Per a new report from The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand on Thursday, Burke has been demoted by ABC/ESPN, with commentator Tim Legler promoted in a corresponding move by the networks.
“ABC/ESPN has demoted Hall of Fame broadcaster Doris Burke from its NBA Finals team and promoted network commentator Tim Legler to its No. 1 team, sources briefed on the decision told The Athletic on Thursday,” Marchand wrote.
“Legler will pair with longtime lead play-by-player Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson for the network’s finals broadcasts. Jefferson recently agreed to a new contract with ESPN after working his first finals in June. Burke was on the finals team for two years, becoming the first woman in history to be an analyst on one of the traditional four major American sports leagues (NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL).”
Per Marchand, ESPN is negotiating a contract extension with Burke, potentially placing her on ESPN’s No. 2 broadcast team. Burke’s current deal expires following the 2025-26 NBA season.
Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle and analyst Richard Jefferson have both publicly defended Burke in recent months, with Carlisle using part of his NBA Finals Game 1 press conference to praise Burke for the work she’s done to advance gender equality in the sports broadcasting profession.
According to Marchand, ESPN’s decision to demote Burke was made by executive vice president Mike McQuade, who favors Legler.
Legler is a 25-year ESPN veteran with enormous broadcasting talent in his own right.