ESPN’s NBA Finals broadcast team for the 2026 season, as announced, will not include Doris Burke, who was demoted from the lead team after the 2025 NBA Finals. The new primary broadcast team consists of Mike Breen, Tim Legler, and Richard Jefferson, with Lisa Salters continuing as the sideline reporter.
- Mike Breen: A Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame broadcaster, Breen remains the lead play-by-play announcer, known for his iconic “Bang!” calls. He has been a staple of ESPN’s NBA coverage for nearly two decades and is under a long-term contract, ensuring his continued presence.
Tim Legler: Promoted to the No. 1 team for the 2026 NBA Finals, Legler is a respected ESPN analyst known for his thoughtful and measured basketball analysis. A former NBA player, he has been with ESPN for nearly two decades, gaining prominence on the No. 2 broadcast crew and as a regular on shows like SportsCenter. His elevation reflects ESPN’s confidence in his ability to enhance the booth’s chemistry.
Doris Burke - Richard Jefferson: A 17-year NBA veteran, Jefferson joined the lead broadcast team for the 2025 NBA Finals and has since signed a new contract with ESPN. His role expanded from studio work on NBA Today and NBA Countdown to game commentary in the 2023-24 season. Despite interest from Amazon Prime Video, ESPN secured him for the Finals, valuing his energetic and player-perspective commentary.
- Lisa Salters: Continuing as the sideline reporter, Salters provides on-the-ground insights and interviews, complementing the in-booth team. She has been part of ESPN’s NBA Finals coverage for multiple seasons.
This new trio follows a period of flux for ESPN’s NBA Finals booth. After the 2023 layoffs of Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, ESPN cycled through analysts like Doc Rivers and JJ Redick before settling on Burke and Jefferson alongside Breen for 2025. The decision to replace Burke with Legler stems from reported chemistry issues in the three-person booth and ESPN’s consideration of a potentially more effective two- or three-person format.