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ESPN Poaches Top NBA Reporter From Rival Company

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Jun 13, 2025 4:59 PM ET

ESPN has wasted no time bolstering its talent for the 2025-26 NBA season.

Prior to Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic reported that ESPN will evaluate its broadcast trio of Mike Breen, Doris Burke and Richards Jefferson once this season is over. Breen will be back in the booth next season, but Burke and Jefferson aren't locks to return.

While a decision on ESPN's broadcast booth hasn't been made yet, the Worldwide Leader In Sports has reportedly added a top-tier reporter to its roster.

According to Front Office Sports, ESPN is hiring Golden State Warriors reporter Anthony Slater. The senior writer for The Athletic has established himself as one of the best in the business.

Now that he's heading to ESPN, Slater will get to reunite with former The Athletic insider Shams Charania.

"He was always so good that he was going to end up as a national type and ESPN is the best spot for that," San Francisco Standard's Tim Kawakami told Front Office Sports. "It is a little sad, but I’m just glad it happened. A lot of people did their best stuff there. The whole thing was good for everybody."

ESPN has some tough decisions to make this offseason. Malika Andrews and Brian Windhorst are both expected to become free agents.

"Several sports media insiders have independently told FOS that Andrews could eventually follow the Robin Roberts model and flourish on a daytime news and entertainment program within the Disney empire, such as ABC’s Good Morning America," Michael McCarthy and Ryan Glasspiegel wrote.

With NBC Sports and Amazon Prime Video set to cover the NBA next season, Andrews and Windhorst should have no shortage of options.

Of course, ESPN could always retain Andrews and Windhorst. Their latest addition doesn't necessarily change their plans.

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

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