Doris Burke Opens Up on Caitlin Clark and NBA Media Rights

On Clark: “The most compelling figure in all of basketball…The ratings are telling us right now that people are really interested in Caitlin Clark. You’ve got NBA players, professional athletes, everybody is tuning in to watch this young women play. It just warms my heart to be perfectly honest with you.”

On LSU’s Angel Reese taunting Clark: “Yes, we are talking about race. But nobody’s talking about the gender piece of this. If a guy had done it, would we have even blinked at it? I don’t know the answer to it. But here’s what I think unequivocally. My first thought was I hated that the basketball, that was incredible, seemed to become secondary. Then I thought, you know what, maybe this isn’t a bad thing. Because if it fosters productive conversation around important topics, that’s probably more important than the basketball. Right? 

Will ESPN Retain NBA Media Rights?  “I love what I do on a nightly basis. I’m pulling like hell for ESPN to extend that contract.”

On looming ESPN Layoffs: “I’ve lived through it once. It’s not easy. Business is business. You’re hoping and pulling for us to do the right things to get the contract renewed. But I will say this to you: In light of all the business implications for Disney and us, I’m optimistic we get it. But until we sign that contract, I take nothing for granted. Absolutely nothing.”  

The NBA Play-In Tournament: “It had exactly the desired effect the league had hoped for. Look at how competitively teams are playing. You’re living and dying with the wins and losses on a nightly basis.”