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ESPN Pays Tribute To Cassidy Hubbarth, Who's Leaving Network

Originally posted on The Spun | By Kameron Duncan | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 12:06 AM ET

Wednesday night's Eastern conference play-in tournament game between the Chicago Bulls and the Miami Heat was broadcast on ESPN. The network will continue to cover the game through the 2025 playoffs, but Wednesday's play-in tournament game was the last day on the job for one longtime member of its NBA crew.

At the end of the game, Richard Jefferson, Mike Breen and Doris Burke paid tribute to the departing Cassidy Hubbarth, who will be leaving the network.

"We want to say something about somebody very special to us. Tonight is the final telecast for our Cassidy Hubbarth. 15 years she's been with us, and next year she'll be part of Amazon's package," Breen said near the end of the Heat's win.

Mike Breen, Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson pay tribute to Cassidy Hubbarth at the end of her final NBA broadcast on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/qugtKus1kp
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 17, 2025

"Cassidy has been such a dedicated professional, a wonderful teammate and most importantly as kind and caring a friend as you could possibly have. She's been a huge part of our NBA coverage and we're going to miss her like crazy."

"She's a pro's pro, an unbelievable friend...and you are a star among stars, Cass," said Doris Burke. "We're gonna miss you, I'm gonna miss you."

"I know her as Mama Cass," said Richard Jefferson, who joined the ESPN broadcasting crew after his NBA career ended.

"Since I came into this industry, she's guided me and given me so much advice. She has supported me. The games where I wasn't doing them, she would call and say 'Hey, you had a great open. Good job.'

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 17: (L-R) Katie Nolan, Dianna Russini and Cassidy Hubbarth attend HEROES at The ESPYS at City Market Social House on July 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for )

Just an ultimate teammate, and I would not be sitting here next to you two without the work that Cass has invested in me. I appreciate her so much and I think she's going to do outstanding where she's at next."

"You guys I still have a postgame interview! You can't make me cry right now," Hubbarth said as ESPN showed her reaction on screen.

"I love you guys. ESPN has allowed me to grow, nurtured my career in so many beautiful ways. I cannot express how grateful I am. All the way back to 2010 and 'NBA Tonight' to being with the A team here tonight.

Enough about me, let's get back to the game! Thank you so much to everyone for all of your support, it has been one of the truest and most special gifts of my life."

As Breen mentioned, Hubbarth will join Amazon Prime Video as it takes over as an NBA rights partner next season.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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