List of NBA Finals broadcasters

The following is a list of the television and radio networks and announcers that have broadcast NBA Finals games in the United States and Canada over the years.

In addition to the English-language broadcasts, the NBA Finals also have Spanish-language broadcasts since 2002.[1][2]

## Television

[edit]

### English language

[edit]

#### 2020s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s)  | Rules expert(s)  | Studio host  | Studio analyst(s)  | Trophy presentation

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2024 | ABC[3] | Mike Breen | Doris Burke and JJ Redick | Lisa Salters | Steve Javie | Malika Andrews | Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith (all games), Bob Myers (Games 1–3, 5), Josh Hart (Games 1–2), Paul George (Games 3–4), Kendrick Perkins (Game 4), Julius Randle (Game 5), and Adrian Wojnarowski | Lisa Salters
ESPN (alternate; Game 3)[3] | N/A  | Kevin Hart | The Plastic Cup Boyz and various guests
2023 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Lisa Salters | Steve Javie | Mike Greenberg | Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith, and Adrian Wojnarowski | Lisa Salters
ESPN2 (alternate; Game 1) | N/A  | Stephen A. Smith | Various guests
2022 | ABC | Mark Jones (Game 1–2)
Mike Breen (Games 3–6) | Mark Jackson
Jeff Van Gundy (Games 2–6) | Lisa Salters | Steve Javie | Mike Greenberg | Jalen Rose, Michael Wilbon (all games), Stephen A. Smith (Games 1–3, 5–6), Adrian Wojnarowski (Games 3–6), Magic Johnson (Game 1 only), and Kendrick Perkins (Game 4) | Lisa Salters
ESPN2 (alternate; Game 1) | N/A  | Michael Eaves | CJ McCollum, Tim Legler and several guests
2021 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Malika Andrews | Steve Javie | Maria Taylor | Jalen Rose, Jay Williams (Games 1–4), and Adrian Wojnarowski | Malika Andrews
2020 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Rachel Nichols | Steve Javie | Maria Taylor | Jalen Rose, Jay Williams, Paul Pierce, and Adrian Wojnarowski | Rachel Nichols

##### Notes

[edit]

* 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA postponed its regular season from March 11 to July 29, resuming with the seeding games for the 22 contending teams. Consequently, the 2020 Finals were played inside a bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Bay Lake, Florida from September 30 to October 11, the latest date to end an NBA season. The Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat was the lowest-rated NBA Finals ever (4.0 rating over six games).
* 2021: Rachel Nichols was originally assigned to work as a sideline reporter, but was replaced by Malika Andrews after a private video leaked of Nichols uttering insensitive racial comments towards African American ESPN personality Maria Taylor. Both Nichols and Taylor eventually left ESPN, with Taylor heading to NBC Sports after a contract dispute, and Nichols agreeing to a buyout after she was taken off of ESPN programming and had her show, The Jump, canceled due to this incident.
* 2022: ESPN2 televised NBA Finals: Celebrating 75, a special alternate presentation for Game 1 which aired Thursday at 9 PM ET from Seaport District studios in New York. Several guests included Magic Johnson and Julius Erving. Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy missed Game 1[4] due to COVID-19 protocols, and Mark Jones filled in for Breen. Jones, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters made history in Game 1 as the first all-African American broadcast team to cover an NBA Finals game. Breen also missed Game 2, whereas Van Gundy returned.
* 2023: NBA in Stephen A's World, an alternate broadcast of ESPN's NBA games with Stephen A. Smith as host along with various guests, aired on ESPN2 during Game 1 of the Finals.

#### 2010s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)  | Sideline reporter(s)  | Rules expert(s)  | Studio host  | Studio analyst(s)  | Trophy presentation

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2019 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Steve Javie | Michelle Beadle | Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, and Paul Pierce | Doris Burke
Sportsnet (Canada; games 1, 3 and 5)[5] | Matt Devlin | Leo Rautins | Eric Smith | —  | Brad Fay | Alvin Williams and Sherman Hamilton
TSN (Canada; games 2, 4 and 6)[6] | Jack Armstrong | Kate Beirness | Rod Black
James Duthie (2nd panel) | Leo Rautins and Sam Mitchell
Chris Bosh (2nd panel)
2018 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Steve Javie | Michelle Beadle | Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, and Paul Pierce | Doris Burke
2017 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Steve Javie | Michelle Beadle | Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, and Paul Pierce | Doris Burke
2016 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke and Craig Sager (Game 6) | Steve Javie | Sage Steele | Jalen Rose, Doug Collins, and Paul Pierce | Doris Burke
2015 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Steve Javie | Sage Steele | Jalen Rose, Doug Collins, and Dwyane Wade (Games 2, 3, 6) | Doris Burke
2014 | ABC[7] | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Steve Javie | Sage Steele | Jalen Rose, Doug Collins, and Bill Simmons | Stuart Scott
2013 | ABC[8] | Mike Breen | Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Steve Javie | Michael Wilbon | Magic Johnson, Jalen Rose, and Bill Simmons | Doris Burke
2012 | ABC[9] | Mike Breen | Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | —  | Michael Wilbon | Jon Barry, Magic Johnson, and Chris Broussard | Stuart Scott
2011 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Stuart Scott | Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Magic Johnson | Stuart Scott
ESPN 3D | Mark Jones | Bruce Bowen (Games 1–2, 5–6)
Tim Legler (Games 3–4)
2010 | ABC[10] | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Stuart Scott | Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Magic Johnson | Stuart Scott

##### Notes

[edit]

* Per the current broadcast agreements, the Finals will be broadcast by ABC through 2025.
* For the 2019 Finals (the first to feature the Toronto Raptors), TSN and Sportsnet, the main Canadian rightsholders of both the NBA and the Raptors, were permitted to broadcast distinct Canadian telecasts, in addition to the ABC telecast being simulcast on their co-owned broadcast networks. Telecasts on both TSN and Sportsnet use a common technical crew employed by Raptors team owner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.[11]

#### 2000s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)  | Sideline reporter(s)  | Studio host  | Studio analyst(s)  | Trophy presentation

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2009 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Doris Burke | Stuart Scott | Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Magic Johnson | Stuart Scott
2008 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Michele Tafoya | Stuart Scott | Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Guest Analysts  | Stuart Scott
2007 | ABC | Mike Breen | Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy | Michele Tafoya and Stuart Scott | Dan Patrick | Jon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Grant Hill | Dan Patrick
2006 | ABC | Mike Breen | Hubie Brown | Lisa Salters and Stuart Scott | Dan Patrick | Mark Jackson and Michael Wilbon | Dan Patrick
2005 | ABC | Al Michaels | Hubie Brown | Michele Tafoya and Stuart Scott | Mike Tirico | Bill Walton and Greg Anthony | Mike Tirico
2004 | ABC | Al Michaels | Doc Rivers | Michele Tafoya and Stuart Scott | Mike Tirico | Tom Tolbert and Byron Scott | Mike Tirico
2003 | ABC | Brad Nessler | Bill Walton and Tom Tolbert | Michele Tafoya and Stuart Scott | Mike Tirico | Sean Elliott and Guest Analysts  | Mike Tirico
2002 | NBC | Marv Albert | Bill Walton and Steve Jones | Jim Gray and Lewis Johnson | Bob Costas | Tom Tolbert | Ahmad Rashad
2001 | NBC | Marv Albert | Doug Collins | Jim Gray and Lewis Johnson | Ahmad Rashad | Kevin Johnson, P. J. Carlesimo, Bill Walton, and Steve Jones | Ahmad Rashad
2000 | NBC | Bob Costas | Doug Collins | Ahmad Rashad and Jim Gray | Hannah Storm | Isiah Thomas, Bill Walton, and Steve Jones | Ahmad Rashad

##### Notes

[edit]

* Although the 2007 NBA Finals aired on ABC (as had been the case since 2003), they were the first to carry the "ESPN on ABC" branding instead of the ABC Sports branding.
* 2007: The Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers was the lowest rated NBA Finals until 2020 (6.2 percent rating over four games).
* Since 2007, NBA ratings have steadily risen, thanks to the resurgence of nationally recognized NBA teams, their star power, and their annual presence in the NBA Finals. Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals had the best rating for a basketball game in the contemporary NBA on ABC era, and the 2011 Finals held steady in the ratings department as well. Both series drew over a 10 rating, beating the World Series in consecutive years for the first time ever.
* 2006: Lisa Salters was the main sideline reporter alongside Stuart Scott with Michele Tafoya on maternity leave. She was the main ABC sideline reporter for that season before sliding back to secondary reporter with Tafoya's return.
* 2003: The series between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Jersey Nets was the lowest rated NBA Final (6.5 percent over six games) until 2007. This was also the only year that ABC broadcast both the NBA and the Stanley Cup Finals that involved teams from one city in the same year, as both the New Jersey Nets and the New Jersey Devils were in their respective league's finals. During ABC's broadcast of Game 3 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Nets in New Jersey on June 8, Brad Nessler said that ABC was in a unique situation getting ready for both that game and Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Devils and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim the following night, also at Continental Airlines Arena. Gary Thorne mentioned this the following night and thanked Nessler for promoting ABC's broadcast of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals.[12]
* During the 2002 NBA Finals, Ahmad Rashad had told The Los Angeles Times before the 2002 NBA Finals began that he would be ending his 20-year run on NBC Sports with Game 3 of the NBA Finals on the pregame show. A feature in which he interviewed Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant would be his last assignment for the network. He and Hannah Storm were replaced by Bob Costas as host of the pregame show for the Finals, and Rashad declined to join Hannah Storm on the post-game show carried by CNBC.[13]
* 2001: NBC studio host Hannah Storm did not anchor the NBA Finals due to her being on maternity leave, so Ahmad Rashad replaced her. She returned to cover the NBA Finals in 2002, but as postgame host.

#### 1990s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)  | Sideline reporter(s)  | Studio host  | Studio analyst(s)  | Trophy presentation

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1999 | NBC | Bob Costas | Doug Collins | Ahmad Rashad and Jim Gray | Hannah Storm | Isiah Thomas, Bill Walton, and Peter Vescey | Ahmad Rashad
1998 | NBC | Bob Costas | Doug Collins and Isiah Thomas | Ahmad Rashad and Jim Gray | Hannah Storm | Bill Walton, John Salley, and Peter Vescey | Ahmad Rashad
1997 | NBC | Marv Albert | Matt Guokas and Bill Walton | Ahmad Rashad and Jim Gray | Hannah Storm | Julius Erving, Mike Fratello, and Peter Vescey | Ahmad Rashad
1996 | NBC | Marv Albert | Matt Guokas and Bill Walton | Ahmad Rashad, Hannah Storm, and Jim Gray | Bob Costas | Julius Erving and Peter Vescey | Bob Costas
1995 | NBC | Marv Albert | Matt Guokas and Bill Walton | Ahmad Rashad, Hannah Storm, and Jim Gray | Bob Costas | Julius Erving and Peter Vescey | Bob Costas
1994 | NBC | Marv Albert | Matt Guokas | Ahmad Rashad and Hannah Storm | Bob Costas | Julius Erving and Peter Vescey | Bob Costas
1993 | NBC | Marv Albert | Mike Fratello
Magic Johnson (Games 1–5) | Ahmad Rashad and Hannah Storm | Bob Costas | Quinn Buckner | Bob Costas
1992 | NBC | Marv Albert | Mike Fratello
Magic Johnson (Games 1, 4–5) | Ahmad Rashad | Bob Costas | Quinn Buckner | Bob Costas
1991 | NBC | Marv Albert | Mike Fratello | Ahmad Rashad and Steve Jones | Bob Costas | Pat Riley | Bob Costas
1990 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Hubie Brown | Lesley Visser and James Brown | Pat O'Brien |  | Pat O'Brien

##### Notes

[edit]

* The retirement of Michael Jordan set in motion the decline in NBA ratings which continued for several years. Ratings for the 1999 NBA Finals (which in fairness, came after a lockout shortened season) were down significantly from the previous year, from an 18.7 to an 11.3. Primetime regular season games, which had become fairly routine (and highly rated) during the Jordan years, set record lows for NBC once Jordan retired. With the rise of the Los Angeles Lakers in the early part of the 2000s (decade), ratings improved, but never to the level of the 1980s or 1990s. The highest NBA Finals ratings on NBC after Jordan left was the 2001 Finals, which featured the dominant and then-defending champion Lakers with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant versus the polarizing Allen Iverson and the underdog Philadelphia 76ers. The ratings for that series were a 12.1, still down 35 percent from 1998. NBC's last Finals, in 2002, came after a resurgence in playoff ratings (including a 14.2 rating for Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals). However, the Finals itself registered the lowest ratings the event had seen since 1981, topping out at a 10.2 average.
* 1998: The Finals between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz was the highest rated NBA Finals ever (18.7 percent rating over six games). Game 6 registered a 22.3 Nielsen rating with a 38 share and attracted 72 million viewers and became the highest rated game in the history of the NBA.[14] The previous record was a 21.2 rating and 37 share for Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Detroit Pistons.[15]
* During the 1997 NBA Finals, Hannah Storm became the first woman to serve as pre-game host of the NBA Finals after serving as a sideline reporter for NBC in the past four years, but she wasn't the first female broadcaster to cover the NBA Finals (that honor goes to Lesley Visser).
* 1994: During Game 5 (June 17, 1994) most NBC affiliates (except for the network's New York and Los Angeles owned-and-operated stations (the latter of which did not carry most of the game), along with its Houston affiliate) split-screened coverage of the game with NFL Hall of Famer O. J. Simpson's low speed freeway chase with the LAPD.
* 1993: Magic Johnson was unavailable for NBC's coverage of Game 6 (the series clincher) because he was attending his brother Larry's wedding.
* 1992: Magic Johnson helped call Games 1, 4, and 5 for NBC.
* Once Larry Bird and Magic Johnson retired, the NBA's ratings sank, at least for one year. The 1990 NBA Finals, (which was played before either Bird or Johnson retired) which registered a 12.3 rating (and was the last Finals CBS aired) was the lone NBA Finals between the domination of Bird and Magic and the domination of then up-and-coming star Michael Jordan. In 1991, NBC's first year with the NBA, the network got its dream matchup. Jordan's Bulls finally broke through, after several years of being dominated by the Pistons, and made it to the Finals. Jordan and the Bulls played Magic Johnson and the Lakers, who were making what was to be their last appearance in the NBA Finals for the next nine years. The hype for the star-studded series was robust, and the ratings were the highest since 1987, when the Celtics and Lakers played for the final time. The next year, Jordan's Bulls once again made the Finals. Their competition that year was the Portland Trail Blazers, a team with fewer stars and from a smaller city. The ratings fell to a 14.2, the second-lowest rating for the Finals since 1986. In 1993, the NBA hit a high point. The six-game series between the Bulls and the bombastic Charles Barkley's Phoenix Suns averaged a 17.9 rating, a mark that eclipsed the previous record of 15.9.
* The 1993 Finals were Jordan's last before his first retirement. The Houston Rockets would take the next two titles consecutively. The ratings for those next two Finals decreased, but still had above-average views, and the 1995 Finals even came to within .3 ratings points of the 1992 Finals and featured Superstar Shaquille O'Neal making the Finals with the Orlando Magic, which were swept 4–0 by the Rockets. After the two seasons, Jordan returned. Subsequently, and almost instantly, ratings greatly increased. Jordan's first game back, a March 19, 1995 game between the Bulls and the Indiana Pacers, scored a 10.9 rating for NBC, the highest rated regular-season NBA game of all time. Ratings for the Finals (which the Bulls played in the following three years) went up sharply as well. Game 1 of the 1996 NBA Finals between the Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics, the Bulls' 107–90 win at home in the United Center earned a 16.8 rating and a 31 share on NBC. In addition, Game 1 was viewed in a then record 16,111,200 homes. On June 16, 1996, Game 6 of the NBA Finals (where the Bulls clinched their fourth NBA Championship in six years) drew an 18.8 rating and a 35 share. The six games of the 1996 NBA Finals averaged a 16.7 rating which ranks second all-time behind the 1993 NBA Finals. The six games of the 1993 NBA Finals between the Bulls and Suns averaged a 17.9 rating. The next year, ratings for the Bulls–Utah Jazz series were slightly better, before the 1998 Finals blew away the 1993 record, averaging an 18.7 rating—one which will likely not be matched by the NBA Finals for the foreseeable future. The deciding Game 6 (and Michael Jordan's final game with the Bulls) registered an NBA record 22.3 rating with a 38 share. The game was viewed by 72 million people, breaking the record set earlier that postseason by Game 7 of the 1998 Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and Bulls (that same game set a record for highest-rated non-Finals NBA game with a 19.1/33). The 1998 Finals managed to best the ratings for that year's World Series, the first of only three NBA Finals ever to do so.
* Game 1 of the 1991 Finals, played on Sunday afternoon (June 2), was the last time an NBA Finals game was played as a matinee. Since then, weekend games of the Finals (as well as midweek games) have been played in the evening to accommodate prime-time television.

#### 1980s

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Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)  | Sideline reporter(s)  | Studio host  | Studio analyst(s)  | Trophy presentation

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1989 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Hubie Brown | Pat O'Brien and James Brown | Brent Musburger
Pat O'Brien (Game 2 Only) |  | Brent Musburger
1988 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Billy Cunningham | Pat O'Brien, Lesley Visser, and James Brown | Brent Musburger
Pat O'Brien (Game 2 Only) |  | Brent Musburger
1987 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Tom Heinsohn | Pat O'Brien and James Brown (Games 3 and 4 Only) | Brent Musburger |  | Brent Musburger
1986 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Tom Heinsohn | Pat O'Brien | Brent Musburger | Julius Erving and Moses Malone | Brent Musburger
1985 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Tom Heinsohn | Pat O'Brien | Brent Musburger |  | Brent Musburger
1984 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Tom Heinsohn | Pat O'Brien | Brent Musburger | Kevin Loughery | Brent Musburger
1983 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Bill Russell | Pat O'Brien | Brent Musburger | Kevin Loughery | Brent Musburger
1982 | CBS | Dick Stockton | Bill Russell |  | Brent Musburger (Games 1–2, 5, and 6)
Frank Glieber (Games 2–4)
Pat O'Brien (Game 5) | Hubie Brown and Kevin Loughery | Dick Stockton
1981 | CBS | Gary Bender | Bill Russell and Rick Barry |  |  |  | Gary Bender
1980 | CBS | Brent Musburger | Bill Russell and Rod Hundley | Rick Barry |  | Brent Musburger

##### Notes

[edit]

* 1989: Pat O'Brien was the pre-game and halftime host for Game 2 because Brent Musburger was on assignment (Musburger was covering the College World Series for CBS). This was also in the case in 1988. This was Musburger's last NBA Finals assignment for CBS, as he was fired on April 1, 1990, months before NBA's television contract with CBS expired. Musburger moved to ABC and ESPN, and later called nine NBA Finals series for ESPN Radio between 1996 and 2004.
* In 1988, CBS achieved its only 20+ rating for an individual NBA game when the network got a 21.2 rating for Game 7 of the 1988 NBA Finals between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons. The Pistons would be in the next two NBA Finals, including a sweep the next year, and the lowest ratings CBS had seen in six years the year after that, with a 12.3 in 1990.
* 1987: James Brown was the sideline reporter for Games 3 and 4 (the latter being the Magic junior skyhook game) because Pat O'Brien attended the birth of son Sean Patrick. O'Brien called Games 1, 2, 5 and 6.
* In 1987, the NBA Finals hit a then-record rating of 15.9. The 1990 NBA Finals was CBS' last, after nearly two decades televising the NBA. While the network broadcast every Bird-Magic Finals, it never broadcast any Final involving Michael Jordan, who, starting the year after CBS ended involvement with the league, would dominate the NBA in a way that neither Bird or Magic had. In 1990, the final year of the CBS deal, the regular season rating[16] stood at a 5.2. (Each rating point represents 931,000 households.)
* Game 3 of the 1986 NBA Finals in Houston was played during the midst of an electrical storm that knocked the picture out for the approximately, the first six minutes of the fourth quarter. Although the video was already on the fritz towards the end of the third, CBS announcer Dick Stockton waited for nearly three minutes before adjusting to a radio play-by-play.
* 1984: The 1984 championship series was the most watched in NBA history, with soaring TV ratings.
* Lesley Visser (the then wife of Dick Stockton) became the first woman to cover the NBA Finals.
* 1983: CBS joined Game 1 in progress with 7:37 left in the first period (meaning, there was no standard pregame coverage). Following the introduction montage (which was notable as it marked premiere of the intercutting, Bill Feigenbaum created CGI rendering of Boston Garden, used by CBS through the start of the 1989 Finals) with narration by anchor Brent Musburger, things were quickly passed off to play-by-play man Dick Stockton.
* 1982: The '82 Finals marked the first time since 1978 that all games aired live in its entirely; As a compromise between CBS and the NBA, the season returned to late October after starting it in early October the previous two seasons, meaning that the championship series started after the conclusion of May sweeps. Also, Brent Musburger served as anchor for Game 1 in Philadelphia, but had to anchor Games 2 and 3 from New York, because he hosted CBS Sports Sunday. So anchoring the coverage in Musburger's absence were Frank Glieber (Games 2–4) and Pat O'Brien (Game 5).
* From 1979–1981, CBS aired weekday NBA Finals games on tape delay if they were not played on the West Coast. Games were televised after the late local news (11:30 pm) in the CBS Late Movie time slot. In some cases, games were seen live in the cities whose local NBA teams were playing. In 1981 for example, WNAC-TV Boston and KHOU-TV Houston carried Games 1, 2, 5 and 6 live, although most viewers around the country had to wait until after the late local news to see them.
* 1980 NBA Finals: The series-deciding Game 6 became the most notorious example of CBS's practice of showing even the most important NBA games on "tape delay" broadcasts. Because May 16, 1980 was a Friday, the network did not want to preempt two of its highest-rated shows, The Dukes of Hazzard and Dallas, even though both shows were already in reruns: the 1979–80 TV season had ended early, back in March, in anticipation of a strike that summer by the Screen Actors Guild. So Game 6 was shown at 11:30 pm Eastern (10:30 pm Central) in all but four US cities: Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Portland and Seattle, who carried it live. The game was not broadcast at all in Atlanta. (This is often cited as an example of TV's lack of interest in the NBA in the "pre-Magic and Bird" era.)
* On a side note, here, in Game 4 of the 1980 Finals, Julius Erving executed the legendary Baseline Move, an incredible, behind-the-board reverse layup that seemed to defy gravity. Play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger has noted that Erving made such moves almost routinely in his ABA days—but the ABA had no national TV contract in those days. This Game 4 move, played to a national audience in a title game, has probably become Julius Erving's most famous move.
* 1981: The series between the Boston Celtics and the Houston Rockets was the lowest rated NBA Finals in history (6.7 rating over six games), until the 2003 NBA Finals drew only 6.5 percent of American television households. Four games of the 1981 series (Games 1, 2, 5 and the climatic Game 6) were telecast on tape delay outside of Boston and Houston.
* As previously mentioned, before 2003, the 1981 NBA Finals received the lowest television rating in NBA history. The 1981 Finals drew a 6.7 rating, according to Nielsen Media Research. Meanwhile, the 2003 Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New Jersey Nets drew a 6.5 rating. Due to this, the 1981 Finals were the last to be broadcast on tape-delay, with weeknight games airing after the late local news in most cities. Games 3 and 4 were played back-to-back on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10, to give CBS two live Finals games. Following the Finals, Gary Bender was relegated to tertiary play-by-play for the rest of his tenure in CBS, while Rick Barry's contract, following his questionable racial comments about Bill Russell during the Finals, was not renewed. Russell would remain the main color commentator for the next two years alongside newly promoted main play-by-play commentator Dick Stockton. Curiously, Barry and Russell would reunite, this time on the NBA on TBS during the mid-1980s. Russell was replaced as CBS' lead analyst following the 1983 Finals by former Celtics teammate Tom Heinsohn.

#### 1970s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)  | Sideline reporter | Studio host  | Trophy presentation

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1979 | CBS | Brent Musburger | Rick Barry and Rod Hundley | Stu Lantz |  | Brent Musburger
1978 | CBS | Brent Musburger | Rick Barry
Steve Jones (Game 1)
John Havlicek (Games 2, 4 and 7)
Gus Johnson (Game 3)
Keith Erickson (Games 4 and 5) |  |  | Brent Musburger
1977 | CBS | Brent Musburger | Rick Barry and Steve Jones
1976 | CBS | Brent Musburger | Rick Barry and Mendy Rudolph | Sonny Hill |  | Mendy Rudolph
1975 | CBS | Brent Musburger | Oscar Robertson |  |  | Oscar Robertson
1974 | CBS | Pat Summerall | Rick Barry and Rod Hundley
1973 | ABC | Keith Jackson | Bill Russell | Chris Schenkel | Howard Cosell
1972 | ABC | Keith Jackson | Bill Russell | Chris Schenkel | Howard Cosell
1971 | ABC | Chris Schenkel | Jack Twyman |  |  | Jack Twyman
1970 | ABC | Chris Schenkel | Jack Twyman |  | Howard Cosell

##### Notes

[edit]

* 1977: The post-game trophy presentation following Game 6 was never aired because CBS decided to air the Kemper Open following the game. Initially CBS wanted a 10:30 am. PT start to accommodate the golf tournament but the NBA refused, instead settling for the 12:00 pm. PT start time.
* 1976: There were three days of rest between Game 1 Sunday, May 23 and Game 2 Thursday, May 27, so that CBS would not have to count an NBA game in the Nielsen ratings for the May sweeps period. The 1976 May sweeps period ended Wednesday, May 26.
* Game 3 tipped off at 10:30 am. MST to allow CBS to cover The Memorial golf tournament following the game. Church attendance that Sunday was sharply lower across Arizona, drawing an angry response from many clergy throughout the state.
* CBS play-by-play announcer Brent Musburger, in a Fall 2009 interview with ESPN, said that he and color announcer Rick Barry were rooting for Phoenix to win Games 3, 4, and 6, although Barry's Golden State Warriors were eliminated by the Suns in the Western Conference Finals. Musburger said that this was because he and Barry were paid by the game. Since the Series was 2–0 Boston after the first two games, Musburger and Barry wanted the Suns to win the next two games to tie the series (likewise with Game 6). Boston fans, unaware of Musburger's and Barry's motivations, were upset with the announcing crew because of their apparent favoritism.
* 1970: The first NBA Finals to be nationally televised in full.
* ABC's coverage of Game 7 was blacked out on WABC-TV in the New York area. Play-by-play man Chris Schenkel made an announcement during the broadcast that the game would be rebroadcast in New York at 11:30 p.m. ET. The game was shown live on the MSG Network in New York City, which was then only available in about 25,000 cable households in Manhattan.

###### Surviving broadcasts

[edit]

* 1970: Lakers–Knicks – Game 7 is intact.
* 1973: Knicks–Lakers – Games 1–4 is missing, but Game 5 was found and shown as a special on the MSG network in 2013.

#### 1960s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Games  | Play-by-play  | Color commentator

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1969 | ABC | 3, 5–7  | Chris Schenkel | Jack Twyman
Synd. | 4  | Bob Wolff | Ed Macauley
1968 | ABC | 1, 4  | Chris Schenkel | Jack Twyman
1967 | ABC | 2, 5  | Chris Schenkel | Jack Twyman
1966 | ABC | 1, 5  | Chris Schenkel | Bob Cousy
Synd. | 7  | Bob Wolff | Jack Twyman
1965 | ABC | 1, 5  | Chris Schenkel | Bob Cousy
1964 | SNI | 4  | Marty Glickman | Fred Schaus
1963 | SNI | 6  | Bob Wolff
1962 | NBC | 1–2  | Bob Wolff | Bud Palmer
1961 | NBC | 1, 3–4  | Lindsey Nelson | Bud Palmer
1960 | NBC | 1, 3–4, 7  | Lindsey Nelson | Curt Gowdy

##### Notes

[edit]

* 1969 – Game 7 was televised by ABC in prime time.
* In Game 4 of the 1965 Finals, the Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 112 to 99. In the closing minutes of the game, ABC cut away to a previously scheduled program. This event was likened to NBC cutting away from the World Series with the home team ahead 10 runs in the ninth inning.
* For the majority of the 1960s, ABC only televised Sunday afternoon games, including the playoffs. ABC did not have to televise the deciding game if it occurred on a weeknight.
* For the 1962–63 season, SNI did two games. The first one being the All-Star Game at Los Angeles with Chick Hearn and Bud Blattner on the call. The second game was the sixth and deciding game of the NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers with Bob Wolff on the call.
* 1962 – All of the games from Boston were televised in Los Angeles on Channel 9 (then called KHJ-TV) with Chick Hearn on play-by-play. For Game 7, Jack Drees joined the broadcast team. In addition, Chick Hearn indicated that Game 7 was being syndicated around the nation to a variety of cities. The game was broadcast in Boston by WHDH-TV, but the station originated its own broadcast with Don Gillis as the commentator.

###### Surviving broadcasts

[edit]

See also: Lost television broadcast § Wiping

* 1969: Celtics–Lakers – only the entire 4th quarter of Game 7 exist.
* 1963: Celtics–Lakers – The deciding Game 6 exists as video, and has been aired on NBA TV's Hardwood Classics [citation needed].

#### 1950s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Games  | Play-by-play | Color commentator

|
|
|
|

1959 | NBC | 1–2  | Lindsey Nelson | Curt Gowdy
1958 | NBC | 1  | Lindsey Nelson | Curt Gowdy
1957 | NBC | 1, 7  | Lindsey Nelson | Curt Gowdy
1956 | NBC | 1  | Lindsey Nelson | Curt Gowdy
1955 | NBC | 2, 6  | Marty Glickman | Lindsey Nelson
1954 | DuMont | 2, 5  | Marty Glickman | Lindsey Nelson

### Spanish language

[edit]

#### 2020s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s)  | Studio host  | Studio analyst(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

2024 | ESPN Deportes | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto | Sebastian Christensen and Katia Castorena | Leo Montero | Andrés Nocioni
2023 | ESPN Deportes | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto | Sebastian Christensen and Katia Castorena | Leo Montero | Andrés Nocioni
2022 | ESPN Deportes | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto | Sebastian Christensen and Katia Castorena | Leo Montero | Andrés Nocioni
2021 | ESPN Deportes | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto | Sebastian Christensen | Leo Montero | Andrés Nocioni
2020 | ESPN Deportes | Ernesto Jerez | Carlos Morales  | Sebastian Christensen | Leo Montero | Fabricio Oberto

#### 2010s

[edit]

Year  | Network  | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s)  | Studio host  | Studio analyst(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

2019 | ESPN Deportes | Álvaro Martín | Carlos Morales  | Sebastian Christensen | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto
2018 | ESPN Deportes | Álvaro Martín | Carlos Morales  | Sebastian Christensen | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto
2017 | ESPN Deportes | Álvaro Martín | Carlos Morales  | Sebastian Christensen and Claudia Trejos | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto
2016 | ESPN Deportes | Álvaro Martín | Carlos Morales  | Sebastian Christensen and Claudia Trejos | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto
2015 | ESPN Deportes | Álvaro Martín | Carlos Morales  | Sebastian Christensen and Claudia Trejos | Ernesto Jerez | Fabricio Oberto
2014 | ESPN Deportes[17] | Álvaro Martín | Carlos Morales and Alejandro Montecchia | Sebastian Christensen | Claudia Trejos  |
2013 | ESPN Deportes[18] | Álvaro Martín | Carlos Morales and Alejandro Montecchia | Sebastian Christensen | Claudia Trejos  | Eduardo Nájera

## National Radio

[edit]

### 2020s

[edit]

Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s) | Studio host(s) | Studio analyst(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

2024 | ESPN[3] | Marc Kestecher | P. J. Carlesimo | Jorge Sedano | Kevin Winter |
2023 | ESPN | Marc Kestecher | Doris Burke and P. J. Carlesimo | Rosalyn Gold-Onwude | Kevin Winter |
2022 | ESPN | Marc Kestecher | Doris Burke and P. J. Carlesimo (Games 1–2, 5–6) | Monica McNutt and Rosalyn Gold-Onwude | Kevin Winter |
2021 | ESPN | Marc Kestecher | Doris Burke and Jon Barry |  | Kevin Winter | P. J. Carlesimo and Monica McNutt
2020 | ESPN | Marc Kestecher | Doris Burke and P. J. Carlesimo |  | Kevin Winter |

### 2010s

[edit]

Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s) | Studio host(s) | Studio analyst(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

2019 | ESPN | Marc Kestecher | Hubie Brown | Ramona Shelburne | Kevin Winter | Jon Barry
2018 | ESPN | Marc Kestecher | Hubie Brown (Games 1–3)
Jon Barry (Game 4) | Ramona Shelburne | Kevin Winter | Jon Barry (Games 1–3)
P. J. Carlesimo (Game 4)
2017 | ESPN | Marc Kestecher | Hubie Brown | Marc Stein | Kevin Winter | Jon Barry
2016 | ESPN | Kevin Calabro | Hubie Brown | Marc Stein and Shelley Smith | Marc Kestecher | Jon Barry
2015 | ESPN | Mike Tirico | Hubie Brown | Marc Stein | Marc Kestecher | Jon Barry
2014[7] | ESPN | Kevin Calabro | Hubie Brown | Marc Stein | Marc Kestecher | Jon Barry
2013[8] | ESPN | Mike Tirico (Games 1–3, 5–7)
Kevin Calabro (Game 4) | Hubie Brown | Marc Stein | Marc Kestecher | Will Perdue
2012[9] | ESPN | Jim Durham | Hubie Brown and Jack Ramsay | Ric Bucher | Marc Kestecher | Will Perdue
2011 | ESPN | Mike Tirico | Hubie Brown and Jack Ramsay | Ric Bucher | Marc Kestecher | Will Perdue
2010[10] | ESPN | Jim Durham | Hubie Brown and Jack Ramsay | Ric Bucher | Marc Kestecher | Will Perdue

### 2000s

[edit]

Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s) | Studio host(s) | Studio analyst(s)

|
|
|
|
|
|

2009 | ESPN | Mike Tirico | Hubie Brown and Jack Ramsay | Ric Bucher | Marc Kestecher | Will Perdue
2008 | ESPN | Mike Tirico | Hubie Brown | Ric Bucher | Marc Kestecher | Will Perdue
2007 | ESPN | Mike Tirico | Hubie Brown | Ric Bucher and Lisa Salters | Marc Kestecher | Will Perdue
2006 | ESPN | Jim Durham | Jack Ramsay
2005 | ESPN | Jim Durham | Jack Ramsay
2004 | ESPN | Brent Musburger | Jack Ramsay
2003 | ESPN | Brent Musburger | Jack Ramsay
2002 | ESPN | Brent Musburger | Jack Ramsay
2001 | ESPN | Brent Musburger | Jack Ramsay
2000 | ESPN | Brent Musburger | Jack Ramsay | Fred Carter and Quinn Buckner | Jim Durham | P. J. Carlesimo

### 1990s

[edit]

Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s) | Sideline reporter(s) | Studio Host

|
|
|
|
|

1999 | ESPN | Brent Musburger | Jack Ramsay
1998 | ESPN | Jim Durham | Jack Ramsay
1997 | ESPN | Brent Musburger[19] | Jack Ramsay
1996 | ESPN | Brent Musburger | Jack Ramsay
1995 | NBA | Joe McConnell | Wes Unseld | Glenn Ordway | Tom Hanneman
1994 | NBA | Joe McConnell | Bob Lanier |  | Tom Hanneman
1993 | NBA | Joe McConnell | Bob Lanier
1992 | NBA | Joe McConnell | Dick Versace[20][21] | Tom Hanneman
1991 | NBA | Joe McConnell | Frank Layden
1990 | ABC | Fred Manfra[22] | Dick Vitale[23][24] and Earl Monroe

### 1980s

[edit]

Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)

|
|
|

1989 | ABC[25] | Fred Manfra | Dick Vitale[26] and Earl Monroe[27]
1988 | ABC | Fred Manfra | Dick Vitale[28]
1987 | ABC | Fred Manfra | Dick Vitale[29]
1986 | ABC | Fred Manfra | Oscar Robertson[30]
1985 | ABC | Fred Manfra | Oscar Robertson
1984 | Mutual | Tony Roberts | Oscar Robertson
1983 | Mutual | Tony Roberts | Tom Heinsohn
1982 | Mutual |  |
1981 | Mutual |  |
1980 | Mutual |  |

### 1970s

[edit]

Year | Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)

|
|
|

1978 | Mutual | Tony Roberts | Hubie Brown
1973 | Mutual |  |
1970 | Mutual |  |

## Local Radio

[edit]

NBA local teams each have their own respective radio networks serving different regions of their surrounding local areas, each with their own individually recognized flagship station.

Local team radio broadcasts are also available nationally on Sirius-XM, or internationally available on NBA League Pass.

### 2020s

[edit]

Year | Flagship | Radio Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)

|
|
|
|

2023 | KKSE
WQAM | Denver Nuggets
Miami Heat | Jason Kosmicki
Jason Jackson | Scott Hastings
Amy Audibert
2021 | KMVP
WTMJ | Phoenix Suns
Milwaukee Bucks | Al McCoy
Ted Davis | Tim Kempton
Dennis Krause

### 1990s

[edit]

Year | Flagship | Radio Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)

|
|
|
|

1998 | KFNZ
WMAQ | Utah Jazz
Chicago Bulls | Hot Rod Hundley
Neil Funk | Ron Boone
Derrek Dickey
1997 | KFNZ
WMAQ | Utah Jazz
Chicago Bulls | Hot Rod Hundley
Neil Funk | Ron Boone
Derrek Dickey
1996 | KJR
WMAQ | Seattle SuperSonics
Chicago Bulls | Kevin Calabro
Neil Funk | Marques Johnson

1993 | KTAR
WMAQ | Phoenix Suns
Chicago Bulls | Al McCoy
Neil Funk | Cotton Fitzsimmons
Tom Boerwinkle
1992 | KEX
WMAQ | Portland Trail Blazers
Chicago Bulls | Bill Schonely
Neil Funk | Mike Rice
Tom Boerwinkle
1991 | KLAC
WLUP | Los Angeles Lakers
Chicago Bulls | Chick Hearn
Jim Durham | Stu Lantz
Johnny "Red" Kerr
1990 | KEX
WWJ | Portland Trail Blazers
Detroit Pistons | Bill Schonely
George Blaha | Geoff Petrie
Greg Kelser

### 1980s

[edit]

Year | Flagship | Radio Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)

|
|
|
|

1989 | KLAC
WWJ | Los Angeles Lakers
Detroit Pistons | Chick Hearn
George Blaha | Stu Lantz
Greg Kelser
1988 | KLAC
WWJ | Los Angeles Lakers
Detroit Pistons | Chick Hearn
George Blaha | Stu Lantz

1987 | KLAC
WRKO | Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics | Chick Hearn
Johnny Most | Stu Lantz
Glenn Ordway
1985 | KLAC
WRKO | Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics | Chick Hearn
Johnny Most | Keith Erickson
Glenn Ordway

### 1970s

[edit]

Year | Flagship | Radio Network | Play-by-play | Color commentator(s)

|
|
|
|

1976 | KTAR
?  | Phoenix Suns
Boston Celtics | Al McCoy
Johnny Most |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ NBA Finals 2002 to be broadcast on TV, radio, Internet \- NBA, 29 May 2002
2. ^ Telemundo to Air NBA en Español \- R. Thomas Umstead, Multichannel, 25 August 2002
3. ^ a b c "Bang! 2024 NBA Finals Presented By YouTube TV on ABC: Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks Tips Off June 6". ESPN Press Room U.S. June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
4. ^ Contes, Brandon (June 2, 2022). "Jeff Van Gundy and Adrian Wojnarowski to miss Game 1 of the NBA Finals between Celtics and Warriors after positive COVID tests". Awful Announcing. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
5. ^ Rogers Media (press release) (May 27, 2019). "Sportsnet Announces Toronto Raptors NBA Finals Broadcast Schedule". Retrieved June 11, 2019.
6. ^ Bell Media (press release) (May 27, 2019). "TSN Announces Schedule for NBA Finals, Featuring Toronto Raptors vs. Golden State Warriors". Retrieved June 11, 2019.
7. ^ a b Cafardo, Ben (June 2, 2014). "The Finals on ABC to Tip Off June 5: Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs". ESPN Media Zone. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
8. ^ a b Hudak, Kristen (June 4, 2013). "NBA Finals to Tip Off June 6 on ABC". ESPN Media Zone. Retrieved June 4, 2013.
9. ^ a b Cafardo, Ben (June 10, 2012). "NBA Finals Tip Off Tuesday on ABC & ESPN Radio". ESPN Media Zone. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
10. ^ a b "The NBA Finals Begin Thursday Exclusively on ABC". ESPN Media Zone. June 1, 2010. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
11. ^ Dachman, Jason. "NBA Finals 2019: As Raptors Fever Takes Over Canada, MLSE Serves Up Game Coverage on Sportsnet, TSN". Sports Video Group. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
12. ^ NHL on ABC: Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals (television). ABC Sports. June 9, 2003.
13. ^ Stewart, Larry (June 10, 2002). "Walton Delivers the Jabs, O'Neal the Knockout". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
14. ^ "72 million saw Bulls take the prize". San Francisco Chronicle. Associated Press. June 17, 1998. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
15. ^ "NBA Players Removed from U.S. Rosters". Los Angeles Times. June 17, 1998. Retrieved February 13, 2009.
16. ^ THE MEDIA BUSINESS; NBC and N.B.A. Agree to $750 Million Pact
17. ^ Nunez, Gabriela (June 5, 2014). "ESPN Deportes' Presentation of NBA Finals". ESPN Media Zone. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
18. ^ Rocher, Sofia (June 5, 2013). "ESPN Deportes Exclusive Presentation of NBA Finals". ESPN Media Zone. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
19. ^ Greenstein, Teddy (May 21, 1997). "HOT HEAT FACES COOLING BREEZE PUNDITS THINK JORDAN, PIPPEN MAY BE TOO MUCH FOR MIAMI". Chicago Tribune. p. 8.
20. ^ Banks, Lacy J. (June 7, 1992). "Good road show by generous Reinsdorf". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 5.
21. ^ Sandomir, Richard (June 19, 1992). "TV SPORTS: BOXING; Holyfield-Holmes: Match of 2 Bumps on a Log?". The New York Times.
22. ^ Martzke, Rudy (June 1, 1990). "Valvano near deal to be analyst on ABC, ESPN". USA Today. p. 3C.
23. ^ Martzke, Rudy (June 5, 1990). "Stockton approaches twilight of NBA career". USA Today. p. 3C.
24. ^ Martzke, Rudy (June 14, 1990). "Hubie what's-his-name takes criticism in stride". USA Today. p. 3C.
25. ^ Martzke, Rudy (June 6, 1989). "Stockton: NBA Finals emerging as top interest". USA Today. p. 3C.
26. ^ Baker, Chris (June 14, 1989). "NBA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Notes `Bad Boy' Pistons Make Good on Daly's Dream". Los Angeles Times. p. 5.
27. ^ Herwig, Carol (June 8, 1989). "Former NBA player Haywood picks Detroit". USA Today. p. 2C.
28. ^ Shuster, Rachel (June 9, 1988). "Pistons in Finals push CBS into new territory". USA Today. p. 3C.
29. ^ Martzke, Rudy (June 2, 1987). "Even with Celtics hurt, series might be surprise". USA Today. p. 3C.
30. ^ Stewart, Larry (June 13, 1986). "Bid for 300th Win by Sutton Fits Right into NBC's Plans". Los Angeles Times. p. 3.

## External links

[edit]

* 5 HIGHLY IMPROBABLE FACTS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE NBA ON TV
* Episode List: NBA Finals - TV Tango

* v
* t
* e

NBA Finals

* Champions
* Teams
* Players
* Coaches
* Most Valuable Player Award
* Brown Trophy
* O'Brien Trophy
* Championship ring
* Broadcasters
* Game sevens
* Droughts
* Streaks
* TV ratings

1940s|

|  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1947 | 1948 | 1949

|
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|
|

1950s|

| 1950 | 1951 | 1952 | 1953 | 1954 | 1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959

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|

1960s|

| 1960 | 1961 | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969

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|

1970s|

| 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979

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|

1980s|

| 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

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|

1990s|

| 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999

|
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|

2000s|

| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009

|
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|
|

2010s|

| 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019

|
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|
|
|

2020s|

| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |  |  |  |  |

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

* v
* t
* e

NBA on television

Broadcast partners|

* ABC
* CBS
* NBC

| Defunct networks|

* DuMont
* SNI

|

Cable/Streaming partners|

* ESPN/ESPN+
* TBS
* TNT/Max
* USA

NBA owned & operated
entities|

* NBA Entertainment
* NBA League Pass
* NBA TV

Television programs|

| Pre-game|

* NBA Countdown
* NBA Shootaround
* NBA Showtime

|

Post-game|

* Inside the NBA
* Shaqtin' a Fool

* ESPN NBA Wednesday
* TNT Thursday
* ESPN NBA Friday
* NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC
* NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC

News and highlights
programs|

| ESPN|

* Grantland Basketball Hour
* The Jump
* NBA Coast to Coast
* NBA Today
* NBA Tonight
* Vintage NBA

|

NBA TV|

* Hardwood Classics
* NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad
* NBA Action
* NBA.com Fantasy Insider
* NBA Gametime Live
* NBA Inside Stuff
* The Starters

Broadcasters by event|

* List of NBA All-Star Game broadcasters
* List of NBA Finals broadcasters

Local broadcasters|

* List of current National Basketball Association broadcasters
* Historical NBA over-the-air television broadcasters

International
broadcasters|

* NBA Premium TV
* NBA TV Canada
* NBA TV Philippines

Commentators|

* ABC
* NBC
* TNT
* ESPN

Music|

* "Roundball Rock"

Miscellaneous|

* ABA broadcasters
* NBA Finals TV ratings

| Decade summaries|

* 1950s
* 1960s
* 1970s
* 1980s
* 1990s
* 2000s
* 2010s
* 2020s

|

* v
* t
* e

NBA on ABC

Related
programs|

* NBA Countdown
* NBA Access with Ahmad Rashad
* NBA Inside Stuff
* NBA Saturday Primetime
* NBA Sunday Showcase
* WNBA on ABC

| NBA on ESPN|

* Radio
* NBA Wednesday
* NBA Friday
* WNBA on ESPN
* NBA Today

|

NBA drafts|

* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Non-NBA
programs|

* College Basketball on ABC
* Olympics on ABC

Related
articles|

* NBA on TV (NBA Finals TV ratings)
* 1960s
* 1970s
* 2000s
* 2010s
* 2020s

Key figures|

* All-Star Game
* ESPN
* NBA Finals
* WNBA All-Star Game
* WNBA Finals

| Play-by-play|

* Mike Breen
* Jim Durham
* Bill Flemming
* Chet Forte
* Jim Gordon
* Curt Gowdy
* Chuck Howard
* Keith Jackson
* Mark Jones
* Jim McKay
* Al Michaels
* Brent Musburger
* Brad Nessler
* Dave Pasch
* Ryan Ruocco
* John Saunders
* Chris Schenkel
* Mike Tirico

|

Color
commentators|

* Greg Anthony
* Hubie Brown
* Doris Burke
* Vince Carter
* Bob Cousy
* Sean Elliott
* Len Elmore
* Tim Legler
* Mark Jackson
* Richard Jefferson
* Steve "Snapper" Jones
* Johnny Kerr
* Dan Majerle
* Jack Ramsay
* JJ Redick
* Doc Rivers
* Bill Russell
* Tom Tolbert
* Jack Twyman
* Jeff Van Gundy
* Bill Walton
* Jerry West

Sideline
reporters|

* David Aldridge
* Malika Andrews
* Doris Burke
* Howard Cosell
* Heather Cox
* Dave Diles
* Israel Gutierrez
* Cassidy Hubbarth
* Mark Jones
* Sal Masekela
* Tom Rinaldi
* Craig Sager
* Lisa Salters
* Stuart Scott
* Jorge Sedano
* Michele Tafoya
* Bob Wolff

Studio
hosts|

* Malika Andrews
* Michelle Beadle
* Mike Greenberg
* Rachel Nichols
* Dan Patrick
* John Saunders
* Stuart Scott
* Sage Steele
* Hannah Storm
* Maria Taylor
* Mike Tirico

Studio
analysts|

* Jon Barry
* Chauncey Billups
* Chris Broussard
* Doug Collins
* Steve Javie
* Richard Jefferson
* Avery Johnson
* Magic Johnson
* George Karl
* Bob Myers
* Chiney Ogwumike
* Kendrick Perkins
* Paul Pierce
* Scottie Pippen
* Jalen Rose
* Byron Scott
* Bill Simmons
* Stephen A. Smith
* Michael Wilbon
* Jay Williams
* Adrian Wojnarowski

ABC Radio
announcers|

* Marv Albert
* Dave Barnett
* Chick Hearn
* Rod Hundley
* Steve "Snapper" Jones
* Fred Manfra
* Earl Monroe
* Johnny Most
* Oscar Robertson
* Dick Vitale

NBA Finals|

* 1965 (Games 1, 5)
* 1966 (Games 1, 5)
* 1967 (Games 2, 5)
* 1968 (Games 1, 4)
* 1969 (Games 3, 5-7)
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

| ABC Radio's
coverage|

* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990

|

WNBA Finals|

* 2003 (Game 2)
* 2005 (Game 3)
* 2010 (Game 1)
* 2014 (Game 1)
* 2015 (Game 1)
* 2016 (Game 1)
* 2017 (Game 1)
* 2018 (Game 2)
* 2019 (Game 3)
* 2020 (Game 2)
* 2021 (Game 1)
* 2022 (Game 1)
* 2023 (Games 1, 3)

All-Star Game|

* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973

| ABC Radio's
coverage|

* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990

|

WNBA|

* 2003
* 2005
* 2007
* 2009
* 2011
* 2013
* 2015
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Lore|

* "I think we see Willis coming out!"
* "The Block (2016)"
* Christmas Day

| Rivalries|

* Bryant–O'Neal
* Lakers–Pistons
* Celtics–Lakers
* Cavaliers–Warriors

|

ESPN lore|

* "Malice at the Palace"

McDonald's
Championship|

* 1987
* 1988
* 1989

* v
* t
* e

NBA on NBC

Related
programs|

* NBA Showtime
* NBA Inside Stuff
* NBA on USA
* WNBA on NBC

| Non-NBA programs|

* College Basketball on NBC
* Olympics on NBC

|

Related
articles|

* NBA on television (NBA Finals ratings)
* NBA Showtime: NBA on NBC
* Like Mike
* 2002 FIBA World Championship

NBC Sports Regional Networks
Bay Area (Golden State Warriors)
Boston (Boston Celtics)
California (Sacramento Kings)
Chicago (Chicago Bulls)
Northwest (Portland Trail Blazers)
Philadelphia (Philadelphia 76ers)

* 1950s
* 1960s
* 1990s
* 2000s

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* NBA Finals
* WNBA Finals

Key figures|

| Play-by-play|

* Marv Albert
* Mike Breen
* Bob Costas
* Don Criqui
* Dick Enberg
* Greg Gumbel
* Tom Hammond
* Dan Hicks
* Jim Lampley
* Joel Meyers
* Bob Neal
* Paul Sunderland

|

Color
commentators|

* Quinn Buckner
* P. J. Carlesimo
* Doug Collins
* Chuck Daly
* Mike Dunleavy Sr.
* Cotton Fitzsimmons
* Mike Fratello
* Matt Guokas
* Dan Issel
* Steve Jones
* Magic Johnson
* Joe Lapchick
* Ann Meyers
* Ron Rothstein
* Isiah Thomas
* Bill Walton

Sideline reporters|

* Bruce Beck
* Jim Gray
* Lewis Johnson
* Marion Jones
* Andrea Joyce
* Lisa Malosky
* Ahmad Rashad
* Summer Sanders
* Hannah Storm
* Chris Wragge

Studio analysts|

* Pat Croce
* Julius Erving
* Kevin Johnson
* Pat Riley
* John Salley
* Tom Tolbert
* Peter Vecsey
* Jayson Williams

Play-by-play (1954–62)|

* Jerry Doggett
* Marty Glickman
* Jim Gordon
* Curt Gowdy
* Bill O'Donnell
* Bud Palmer
* Lindsey Nelson
* Bob Wolff

NBA Finals|

* 1955 (Games 2, 6)
* 1956 (Game 1)
* 1957 (Games 1, 7)
* 1958 (Game 1)
* 1959 (Games 1–2)
* 1960 (Games 1, 3–4, 7)
* 1961 (Games 1, 3–4)
* 1962 (Games 1–2)
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002

| WNBA Finals|

* 1997 (single game)
* 1998 (Games 1–2)
* 1999 (Games 2–3)
* 2000 (Game 2)
* 2001 (Game 2)
* 2002 (Game 2)

|

All-Star Game|

* 1959
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002

Lore|

*     * "Roundball Rock"
* Christmas Day
* O.J. Simpson's low-speed freeway chase
* The Clock Incident (1994)
* Clutch City
* Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals
* Memorial Day Miracle

| Rivalries|

* Bulls–Knicks
* Bulls–Pistons
* Heat–Knicks
* Jazz–Rockets

|

McDonald's
Championship|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1993
* 1995
* 1997

* v
* t
* e

NBA on CBS

Related programs|

* ABA on CBS
* The CBS Late Movie
* College Basketball on CBS

Related articles|

* NBA on TV
* NBA Finals TV ratings
* 1970s
* 1980s
* 1990s

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* NBA Finals

Key figures|

| Play-by-play|

* Gary Bender
* Tim Brant
* Bob Costas
* Don Criqui
* Eddie Doucette
* Frank Glieber
* Greg Gumbel
* Jim Kelly
* Verne Lundquist
* Brent Musburger
* Andy Musser
* Jim Nantz
* Mike Patrick
* Don Robertson
* Dick Stockton
* Pat Summerall

|

Color
commentators|

* John Andariese
* Rick Barry
* Hubie Brown
* Elgin Baylor
* James Brown
* Quinn Buckner
* Doug Collins
* Billy Cunningham
* Terry Dischinger
* Len Elmore
* Keith Erickson
* John Havlicek
* Tom Heinsohn
* Rod Hundley
* Gus Johnson
* Steve Jones
* Sonny Jurgensen
* Stu Lantz
* Kevin Loughery
* Pete Maravich
* Jon McGlocklin
* Dick Motta
* Jeff Mullins
* Billy Packer
* Bill Raftery
* Cal Ramsey
* Oscar Robertson
* Mendy Rudolph
* Bill Russell
* Cazzie Russell
* Lynn Shackelford
* Larry Steele
* Lenny Wilkens

Sideline reporters|

* Charlsie Cantey
* Jane Chastain
* Irv Cross
* Jim Gray
* Sonny Hill
* Dan Jiggetts
* Andrea Joyce
* Pat O'Brien
* Lesley Visser

NBA Finals|

* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990

All-Star Game|

* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990

Lore|

* "The Bad Boys"
* "Jordan Rules"
* Christmas Day
* "The Greatest Game Ever Played"
* "The Shot"

| Rivalries|

* Bulls–Cavaliers
* Bulls–Pistons
* Celtics–Lakers
* Celtics–Pistons
* Lakers–Pistons
* 76ers–Celtics rivalry

|

* v
* t
* e

NBA on SNI

Related articles|

* Hughes Television Network
* NBA on TV in the 1960s

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* NBA Finals

Key figures|

* Buddy Blattner
* Harry Caray
* Marty Glickman
* Chick Hearn
* Bill Sharman
* Bob Wolff

| Color commentators|

* Carl Braun
* Alex Hannum
* Ed Macauley
* Fred Schaus

|

NBA Finals|

* 1963 (Game 6)
* 1964

All-Star Game|

* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967

* v
* t
* e

National Basketball Association on the radio

Broadcast partners|

* ABC (1985-1990)
* AFN (1958; 1968)
* CBS (1964-1966)
* ESPN (1996-present)
* Liberty (1951-1952)
* Mutual (1955; 1969-1984)
* NBA Radio Network (1991-1995)
* Sirius XM (2013-present)

Team networks|

* Boston Celtics
* Cleveland Cavaliers
* Los Angeles Lakers
* Memphis Grizzlies
* Milwaukee Bucks
* Oklahoma City Thunder
* Portland Trail Blazers
* Utah Jazz

Broadcasters by event|

* NBA All-Star Game
* NBA Finals

Miscellaneous|

* ABA broadcasters

* v
* t
* e

NBA Radio Network

Related programs|

* NBA on NBC

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* NBA Finals

Key figures|

* Marv Albert
* Eddie Doucette
* Jim Durham
* Joe McConnell

| Color commentators|

* Quinn Buckner
* Bob Lanier
* Frank Layden
* Wes Unseld
* Dick Versace

|

Sideline reporters|

* Chet Coppock
* Howard David
* Tom Hanneman
* Glenn Ordway

Studio hosts|

* Chet Coppock
* Tom Hanneman
* Glenn Ordway

Studio analysts|

* Rick Pitino
* Bob Lanier
* Bill Raftery

All-Star Game|

* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995

NBA Finals|

* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995

NBA Draft|

* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995

* v
* t
* e

NBA on Mutual

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* NBA Finals

Key figures|

| Play-by-play
announcers|

* Marv Albert
* Bill Cambell
* Skip Caray
* Eddie Doucette
* Jack Fleming
* Chick Hearn
* Tony Roberts
* Joe Tait
* Harry Wismer

|

Color commentators|

* Bob Blackburn
* Hubie Brown
* Art Eckman
* Tom Heinsohn
* Rod Hundley
* Jim Karvellas
* Andy Musser
* Johnny Orr
* Gene Peterson
* Oscar Robertson
* Lynn Shackelford

Sideline reporters|

* Bill Schonely

All-Star Game|

* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984

NBA Finals|

* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984

* v
* t
* e

NBA on ESPN Radio

Related
programs|

* NBA on ABC
* NBA Saturday Primetime
* NBA Sunday Showcase
* NBA on ESPN

Commentators|

* All-Star Game
* NBA Finals

Key figures|

| Play-by-play|

* Adam Amin
* Kevin Calabro
* Jim Durham
* Dave Flemming
* Sean Kelley
* Marc Kestecher
* Brent Musburger
* Dave Pasch
* Mike Tirico

|

Color commentators|

* Kelenna Azubuike
* Jon Barry
* Hubie Brown
* Doris Burke
* Rosalyn Gold-Onwude
* Tim Legler
* Will Perdue
* Jack Ramsay
* James Worthy

Sideline reporters|

* Greg Anthony
* Ric Bucher
* Quinn Buckner
* Fred Carter
* Vinny Del Negro
* Lisa Salters
* Ramona Shelburne
* Shelley Smith

Studio hosts|

* Doug Brown
* Jim Durham
* Marc Kestecher

Studio analysts|

* P. J. Carlesimo
* Kevin Loughery
* Monica McNutt
* Chris Mullin
* Will Perdue

All-Star Game|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

NBA Finals|

* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Lore|

* Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals
* "The Block (2016)"
* Christmas Day

* v
* t
* e

North American major sports championship broadcasters

Professional sports|

* Canadian Football League
* Major League Baseball
* Major League Soccer
* National Basketball Association
* Women's National Basketball Association
* National Football League
* National Football League (pre-merger)
* American Football League
* National Hockey League

Colligate sports|

* Basketball
* Women
* Football

Defunct events|

* Bowl Championship Series
* North American Soccer League

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