ESPN Demoting Doris Burke Draws Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and WW2 References

Doris Burke created history when she was part of ESPN's No. 1 NBA broadcasting team over the past two seasons.

ESPN Demoting Doris Burke Draws Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and WW2 References

Doris Burke's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander references cost her top broadcasting job (Image via FirstSportz)

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Doris Burke made headlines after ESPN promoted her to take the commentator’s seat and call NBA games. As a woman, that was a landmark achievement, and one that gave others hope.

She was doing well for most of her stint as a broadcaster, managing the game calls while ESPN experimented with different lineups over the past two seasons.

In her first season, the New York native did admirable work. However, in the recently concluded 2024-25 season, some questionable references grabbed more headlines than the games themselves.

One was when she referenced Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s social media nickname, the free-throw merchant, live when the Oklahoma City Thunder were battling the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals.

Fans understood that the 60-year-old looked into the narratives running on social media prior to the Conference Finals and used them during her commentary.

Another was when she was calling a play involving Rudy Gobert and Isaiah Hartenstein. Burke used history to try to bring some humor when suggesting that the French and Germans do not like one another.

Those were cringeworthy references, something the NBA and ESPN apparently did not appreciate. Heading into next season, it was expected that Doris Burke would continue in her role as part of the network’s primary broadcasting team.

ABC/ESPN has demoted Hall of Famer Doris Burke from its NBA Finals team and promoted longtime network commentator Tim Legler to its No. 1 team, sources briefed on the decision told The Athletic. Legler will pair with longtime lead play-by-player Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson on The Finals.

The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand revealed

The longtime broadcaster was due for a contract renegotiation. As per Marchand, she signed a multi-year extension, but moves down to ESPN’s No. 2 NBA broadcast team with play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch.

Fans troll ESPN and Doris Burke after demotion

Basketball fans knew that when Doris Burke used those cringeworthy references, it would not sit well with ESPN. Before the NBA Finals, rumors of her losing her spot on the No. 1 broadcast team was taking center stage.

However, she remained defiant and clarified that she had no ill intentions towards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or any other team. Burke continued to helm ESPN’s NBA Finals broadcast team alongside Richard Jefferson and Mike Breen.

Now that she has been demoted, fans feel, the network decided those ‘World War 2’ and ‘Free Throw Merchant’ references were not befitting their top broadcast team.

If not for those cringeworthy references, fans believe Burke could have kept her job. Fans had mixed opinions, with some breathing a sigh of relief, while others were unhappy at the network’s decision. Check out examples of those reactions below:

Doris Burke will continue to be a part of the company she has been with over more than three decades. Continuing with the No. 2 team will reduce the chances of such scrutiny, giving both the network and the Burke some breathing space.

Tim Legler to replace Doris Burke

A couple of years ago, ESPN was chopping down its roster, and many feared they could lose their jobs. Former NBA player Tim Legler was at risk, as his appearances on debate shows felt more like a thesis than what suits the show’s format.

Tim Legler to become part of ESPN's top broadcasting team
Tim Legler to become part of ESPN’s top broadcasting team (Image via FOS/X)

He was too polite, despite having knowledge that most in the network did not. ESPN has finally decided to give the 58-year-old the job he is good at, broadcasting.

The former NBA three-point contest winner will join Richard Jefferson and Mike Breen on the network’s primary broadcasting team. That team usually calls the NBA Finals, which means fans will listen to Legler give his insights next season.

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