It appears that Mike Tirico will be the lead announcer for NBC’s version of the NBA broadcasts next season

Mike Tirico handled the first couple of debuts for NBC last week. Marv Albert, Mike Breen, Bob Costas, Dick Enberg are all parts of basketball’s tapestry. Going way back. NBC’s first tenure with the National Basketball Association began on October 30, 1954 and lasted until April 7, 1962. The league was a tough sell then. Lindsey Nelson was the NBC baseball voice in those years, 1954-1961. Should Lindsey be on assignment, others like Marty Glickman, Chick Hearn and Curt Gowdy. 

**********

Mike Tirico to serve as NBC Sports’ Lead NBA Play-by-Play Voice when it begins next October.

Tirico made his return to the NBA last week, serving as the play-by-play voice for two network games NBC Sports Regional Network games. Paul George and Jayson Tatum joined separately with Tirico in Boston and Philadelphia.

Mike previously called NBA games for ESPN from 2002-2016. This is his first time handling play-by-play since May 8, 2016, when the LeBron James and the Cavaliers defeated the Atlanta Hawks 100-99 in the NBA Playoffs to clinch the series and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals on their way to an NBA Championship.

“What a fun opportunity to get a little run in before we get started next fall,” said Tirico. “I am thrilled to get back in the building and call a couple of games while working with our talented regional teams in Philadelphia and Boston. Sincere thanks to my friends Kate Scott and Drew Carter for letting me sit in their chair for an evening.”

“As previously announced in January, Tirico will serve as NBC Sports’ lead play-by-play voice when its coverage of the association begins with the 2025-26 season this October across NBC and Peacock. He has extensive NBA experience, calling about 375 regular-season and playoff games from 2002-2016 for ABC, ESPN, and ESPN Radio.

**********

In addition to Tirico, NBC Sports has also announced that Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller will join its coverage as game analysts and that Noah Eagle will serve as a play-by-play voice. Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci was announced in December 2024 as the coordinating producer for NBC Sports’ NBA coverage.

In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to present NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season.

“Peacock will livestream exclusive national Monday night games while NBC/Peacock will present national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock, providing NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms during the second half of the regular season.”

Additional information about NBC Sports’ 2025-26 NBA coverage will be announced soon.

**********

Tirico has lots on his plate. The NFL, Kentucky Derby, Olympics, The NBA, Racing, College Football and College Basketball, plus others. He never resists or hesitates.

***********

Stephen A. Smith

Apparently, he made a deal that gives him $100 Million over ten years. A few years ago, ESPN slashed so many employees on-air and off. Emotionally, it was a killer. While he was concerned for himself, he had to land somewhere?

On-air at times, he just won’t shush. Yes, he can be funny but too often, just barks. He talks assiduously and certainly works hard. Good enough. Otherwise, his act now is now labeled, often, sloppy and overbearing. Bright guy, yes, but for now he is muddled and unclear. You’ll ask yourself, if we have what’s required, the nuances of dialogue, to measure what this character.

Coach Jimmy Johnson

has retired from Fox’ NFL studio: “I’ve been thinking about it for the last four or five years, and I’ve decided to retire from Fox, and I’m going to miss it. I’m going to miss all the guys, and I’ll see them occasionally, but it has been a great run starting back 31 years ago.”

**********

Howard Cosell and John Gutfeld

I’ll bet that Smith wanted to first be the modern day and irascible, Howard Cosell. 

Gutfeld popped around CNN and Fox, I keep my eyes on the top two in cable. Gutfeld at 10pm is a character. It’s hard to believe that he’s already in his early sixties. He hosts a novel program after Sean Hannity, filled with intended characters, not participants. Gutfeld, 60, on Fox at 10pm ET.

He was raised Catholic in California. I find him unpredictably nutty and he provides his audience with gradual laughter. It starts at 10pm ET on Fox. It’s all a cozy hour, with much of the unforeseen. Gutfeld is associated with Libertarians. (Gutfeld – Fox))

***********