ESPN Demotes Doris Burke, Promotes Tim Legler To NBA Finals Team

For the first time in two years, Doris Burke will not be part of ESPN’s top NBA broadcast crew. The network has decided to demote Burke from its NBA Finals coverage, instead promoting longtime analyst Tim Legler to join Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson on the call starting with the 2026 Finals.

The move comes after months of speculation. The Athletic had previously reported in June that Burke’s future on the No. 1 team was under review following mixed reviews of the 2025 Finals broadcast. 

According to executives, ESPN felt Burke performed better in two-person booths rather than in a three-person setup alongside Breen and Jefferson. With Jefferson securing a contract extension and Breen entrenched as the voice of the Finals, Burke was left as the odd one out.

This marks a significant change given Burke’s historic role. When she was elevated to ESPN’s top NBA crew in 2023, she became the first woman to serve as a game analyst for a championship series in one of the four major North American sports. That milestone was celebrated across the industry, and Burke herself was widely respected by players, coaches, and fans for her insight and basketball IQ.

Yet, ESPN’s executive vice president Mike McQuade ultimately made the call to replace her with Legler, reportedly a longtime favorite of his. 

Legler, a former NBA veteran and three-point contest champion, has been with ESPN since 2000 and has steadily built credibility with fans through his analysis on “NBA Countdown” and various studio shows. He began calling games regularly in 2023, and insiders say his sharp breakdowns and chemistry with Jefferson were key factors in the decision.

Support for Burke did not go unnoticed. Ahead of the 2025 Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle voiced strong support for her, saying she belonged on the biggest stage. 

Jefferson, her on-air partner, even wore a shirt that read “My Favorite Broadcaster is Doris Burke” at the Women’s College World Series to make his point. Despite that backing, ESPN stuck to its plan.

Still, Burke’s future at the network appears secure. Reports indicate that ESPN is working on a contract extension with her, with the expectation that she will remain part of the No. 2 team for high-profile broadcasts. Given her decades-long run with the company, it’s unlikely Burke will disappear from NBA coverage altogether.

This change is just the latest chapter in ESPN’s ongoing shake-up of its NBA Finals team. In 2023, the network let go of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, ending the trio that had called the Finals for over a decade. Burke and Doc Rivers were promoted that summer, only for Rivers to leave midway through the season to coach the Milwaukee Bucks. JJ Redick briefly filled in before Jefferson was slotted in permanently last year.

Now, with Legler joining Breen and Jefferson, ESPN is banking on stability and sharper chemistry in the booth. But make no mistake, Burke’s demotion is a reminder of how unforgiving the broadcast world can be, even for a pioneer.