Basketball fans have heard Doris Burke’s voice for years, but the female sportscaster made history during the 2024 NBA Finals as the first woman to win a major men’s championship in the United States.
The longtime ESPN analyst, who was tapped to lead the network’s NBA broadcast crew for the 2023-2024 season, joined Mike Breen and JJ Reddick on court Thursday night.
ABC is the main broadcaster for the entire NBA Finals, with the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks, so Burke is ready to cover every game.
‘My focus is on preparing for the competitions ahead. … But I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I’m kind of aware that there’s something meaningful here, right,” she said ahead of Game 1.
“And the meaning for me would be that if this assignment somehow makes the lives of women in sports easier or in some way helps in their process, nothing could be more meaningful,” she continued.
Former ESPN sportscaster Doris Burke will make history during the 2024 NBA Finals
She will be the first woman to call a major men’s championship in the US
“Anyone calling their first NBA Finals game would probably be nervous, and I think if I let my mind wander into that space too much, that nervousness will become a little bit worse.”
Burke joined ESPN in 1990 and has covered the finals since 2009.
She was a sideline reporter for ABC’s coverage from 2009 to 2019 before serving as an analyst at ESPN Radio for the past four Finals.
The sportscaster also made history in 2017 when she was named permanent NBA game analyst for ESPN – the first woman to hold the position for a full season.
“I’m kind of aware that there’s something meaningful here,” she said of the milestone
Burke joined ESPN in 1990 and has covered the finals for the network since 2009
She previously cited Good Morning America host Robin Roberts as one of her biggest influences.
In response, the journalist said that Burke’s recognition of those who came before her is one of her best qualities.
“What I really appreciate about Doris is that she is respectful and recognizes those who came before her and helped pave the way. She knows how her presence there is going to make a difference, just like I and others have made a difference for her to be where she is,” Roberts said.
Burke’s influence extends beyond basketball. Baseball analyst Jessica Mendoza said she pushed ESPN management to get into baseball after seeing Burke cancel a game.
“When I heard Doris as an analyst during an NBA game, and not as a reporter, it completely changed my thoughts about my own position, but also about women in general who have played the sport,” Mendoza said.
‘She helped me with advice and how to approach things as she experienced in the first years. You know, all questions that I can only ask a handful of women in the world.’