ESPN is close to a massive overhaul of its top NBA broadcast team.
Veteran ESPN analyst Doris Burke is reportedly close to being promoted to the lead broadcast team, while former NBA Coach of the Year Doc Rivers is expected to return to the booth, according to a report by The New York Post.
The two would join legendary play-by-play voice Mike Breen.
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There was already one open slot on ESPN’s top broadcast team as of late June with Jeff Van Gundy included in ESPN’s mass on-air layoffs. Both Burke and Rivers had already been reported candidates to replace Van Gundy, but it seems that a second slot may now be open due to the demotion of Mark Jackson.
The Post reports that Jackson would either join the “B” team off the broadcast or even be removed from The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) -) network all together.
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Van Gundy had been critical of the NBA and its officiating for years on several ESPN broadcasts, and the NBA had reportedly been disappointed in that behavior. But while Burke could have sat alongside Jackson, ESPN reportedly did not feel the chemistry between Burke and Jackson would be as strong as the previous duo.
Rivers, who was just let go as head coach of the Philadelphia 76ers in May, had previously called the NBA Finals in 2004 alongside Al Michaels.
The Burke-Rivers combo could give ESPN a positive look for the NBA head office, especially with negotiations for the next media rights league deal looming.
