Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said it was “sad” to see Wednesday’s report from The Athletic speculating on Doris Burke’s future in ESPN’s top NBA broadcasting booth before the 2025 NBA Finals tipped off.
Prior to Game 1 of the Pacers-Thunder series, Carlisle began his pregame availability Thursday with a tribute to Burke, who is part of ESPN’s lead NBA broadcast team with Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson, and explained how she has inspired other woman broadcasters.
“Certainly, media people have experienced scrutiny,” Carlisle said. “Broadcasting, it’s a dynamic business and you’re subjected to things from unnamed sources. It’s just part of it. So, I saw the things that were leaked [Wednesday] about Doris Burke, and I just want to say a couple things.
“She has changed the game for women in broadcasting,” Carlisle continued before using his 21-year-old daughter as an example of the way Burke has empowered women through her broadcasting career.
“… Doris is a great example of courage and putting herself out there. It was just so sad to see these reports leaked, really, unnecessarily, before such a celebrated event.
“Doris is a friend. I’ve asked her many times, ‘Why don’t you get into coaching?’ because she has such great knowledge. There are many women who she’s paved the way for.”
Carlisle went on to name more than half a dozen women working in NBA television media whom Burke has inspired during her career, including Knicks broadcaster Monica McNutt and Sarah Kustok, who calls Nets games for YES Network, among other broadcast roles.
The coach’s comments came after The Athletic reported Burke could be removed from ESPN’s NBA Finals coverage next season.
The report detailed how Burke’s spot in the Finals broadcast is not guaranteed for next season, per ESPN’s preliminary plans.
ESPN execs reportedly will reevaluate and discuss if they feel Burke is better on a two-person broadcast team as opposed to the three-person team.
ESPN intends to re-sign Jefferson, whose contract is expiring, according to the outlet. The Athletic also noted Amazon Prime Video has expressed interest in the former NBA champ.
Breen is under a long-term deal.
Burke was promoted to ESPN’s NBA Finals broadcast team in 2023, becoming the first woman to work as a television analyst for a major men’s American sports championship.
The Basketball Hall of Famer has been with ESPN since 1991.
The Pacers rallied for a Game 1 victory over the Thunder on Thursday night, with star Tyrese Haliburton hitting a game-winning jumper in the final moments of the 111-110 triumph.
Game 2 is set for Sunday.