Doris Burke Makes Career Decision After ESPN Demotion News

While Burke has continued to be a trailblazer in the sports industry, a major career development emerged before the new NBA season.

According to a new report by The Athletic's Andrew Marchand , ESPN reassigned Burke from its No. 1 NBA Finals broadcast team, moving Tim Legler into the lead booth alongside Mike Breen and former NBA champion Richard Jefferson.

“ABC/ESPN has demoted Hall of Famer Doris Burke from its NBA Finals team and promoted longtime network commentator, Tim Leger, to its No. 1 team, sources briefed on the decision told The Athletic," the report read. "Legler will pair with longtime lead play-by-player Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson on The Finals."

The change followed recent fan-wide criticism of her commentary, particularly during NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. However, as the report of her demotion surfaced, a new update was revealed on her future.

Doris Burke Agrees to Multi-Year Extension with ESPN

It appears Burke will not be leaving ESPN anytime soon despite the demotion as the network announced she has signed a new multi-year contract extension. She will now serve as the lead analyst on ESPN’s No. 2 NBA broadcast team with play-by-play voice Dave Pasch, according to The Athletic.

While the deal removes her from the Finals booth, it reinforces the network’s belief in her value as a premier basketball analyst. Details of the extension have not been disclosed, but Burke’s voice will continue to be central in ESPN’s NBA coverage throughout the regular season and playoffs.

Burke’s career has been defined by a series of groundbreaking feats, and it appears that her voice will not be fading anytime soon. A recipient of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2018, she has cemented her place among the most influential figures in basketball media.

Her ability to break down the game with clarity and passion, along with her role as a mentor to younger voices in sports media, has solidified her reputation as one of the most respected and pioneering broadcasters in the industry.