Doris Burke Axed: ESPN's Bold Move Shakes Up NBA Finals Coverage
SHOCKING SACKING: NBA Icon Doris Burke Ousted from ESPN's Top Team
In a move that has left the sports world reeling, beloved NBA analyst Doris Burke has been suddenly demoted from ESPN's esteemed NBA Finals team. According to The Athletic, the Hall of Fame sportscaster was given the boot just two months after making history as the first female announcer to call the NBA Finals in 2024.
Burke's return to the booth for this year's seven-game showdown between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers was supposed to be a triumphant moment, but it appears her performance was anything but. The 60-year-old veteran sportscaster has been replaced by longtime network commentator Tim Legler, leaving fans both stunned and thrilled.
The decision to oust Burke has sparked a firestorm of reactions on social media, with many claiming that her analysis "ruined" the championship matchup. One fan bluntly stated, "Good call. She's terrible," while another agreed, saying, "Nothing against her—Absolutely the right call!" Many others chimed in, expressing relief and even joy at Burke's departure.
"It's about time, man. She was hard to listen to," one Twitter user posted, as another wrote, "(Now), I can finally enjoy watching NBA games." One enthusiastic fan exclaimed, "HUGE upgrade and a great decision by ESPN!!" Another suggested that Burke would be better suited as the lead sideline reporter, saying, "Move her back there and nobody would care if she's on the Finals crew. Hell, she's one of the best sideline reporters ever... but her as an analyst is terrible."
Interestingly, some fans pointed out that Burke's biased commentary may have contributed to her downfall. One astute observer noted, "Very knowledgeable, but her biased commentary and comments about SGA being a free throw merchant got her demoted. Can't do that to the best player in the world," referencing Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
This shocking development has left many wondering what went wrong for Burke, who had been a staple at ESPN since 1990. After joining the network in 1990, she began covering the finals in 2009 and was a sideline reporter for ABC's coverage from 2009-19. In recent years, Burke served as an analyst on ESPN Radio for four consecutive NBA Finals.
The news of Burke's demotion comes just months after the NBA Finals saw a change in the announcing lineup, with play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, ex-coach Jeff Van Gundy, and former player and coach Mark Jackson making way for Doc Rivers and JJ Redick. The duo later took on coaching roles with the Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively.
Despite her impressive credentials, Burke's departure from ESPN has sparked a heated debate among fans. Was it her lackluster performance that led to her ousting, or was there more at play? One thing is certain: Doris Burke will no longer be calling the NBA Finals for ESPN, and Tim Legler is ready to take on the challenge.
UPDATE: The Scholarly Note has reached out to ESPN for comment, but so far, the network has remained tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding Burke's demotion. Stay tuned for further updates as this story continues to unfold!
